Michael Strahan’s Last ‘Live!’: Kelly Ripa Shed No Tears

Michael Strahan made his final appearance on Live! with Kelly and Michael on Friday morning. Both hosts could not have seemed happier, and for probably the same reason. Strahan, who is shifting over to ABC’s Good Morning America to join that early-morning, gossip-magazine “news” show, seemed relieved that he’d no longer have to handle 15 or 20 minutes of daily “host chat,” while Ripa seemed elated — perhaps because she wouldn’t have to be handling that chore with Strahan anymore?

Whatever Ripa’s feelings about the situation, Strahan was a charmer to the end. Of course, there was a retrospective of Strahan’s greatest Live hits. Tellingly, what was billed as the “Flashback Friday Farewell” clips consisted primarily of the hosts dancing during various old shows, not snippets of memorable conversational exchanges they’ve had. The clips centered around the 6-foot-5 Strahan dressed in a variety of ridiculous outfits or engaging in various physical stunts, such as wrestling with Kevin James.

Ripa gave Strahan a few gifts, including a pair of bronzed high heels he wore during some silly moment in the show’s past, noting, “Nobody rocks a size 16 stiletto better than you.” She also gave Strahan a champagne toast, saying, “We couldn’t be prouder of you” — a tad condescending, I thought, but anyway… For his part, Strahan said the departure was “very bittersweet for me” and spoke directly to the camera to express his greatest thanks to the audience. Only after doing that did he turn to Ripa and say, “Kelly, you are the best. I love you, baby.” They hugged and kissed. There wasn’t a wet eye in the house.

Strahan’s departure had been hastened by reports that relations between him and Ripa were strained. Ripa, of course, caused a stir when she declined to return to the show for two extra days after a vacation — “to gather my thoughts” — in the wake of the announcement of Strahan’s leave-taking. Ripa said she had not been informed of the news and was therefore stung by the behavior of her network overlords.

Ripa had already undercut Strahan’s final show by giving an interview to People magazine, out today, with quotes leaked earlier in the week in which Ripa says, “I think that all people are deserving of fair treatment in the workplace. People deserve respect. People should be treated equally and with dignity.” And by “people,” she means “Kelly Ripa.”

Be forewarned, future co-hosts. This isn’t a partnership of co-equals any more than it was during Regis Philbin’s founding reign: King Regis and his outsize personality ruled the set, whether his co-host was Cyndy Garvey, Kathie Lee Gifford, or Ripa. It makes sense, therefore, that Ripa will now be the dominant one in whatever new partnership is formed. Talk shows like this thrive or wane on the basis of chemistry, and it’s a tricky quality to maintain.

I often felt that, once Regis Philbin left Live, Ripa was noticeably freed up, that she felt a new freedom to be and say and do what she wanted — to be more of herself — than she’d been with Regis, whose excitable presence was always the primary source of entertainment, even drama, on Live throughout its decades of co-hosts. One result was that Ripa often used Strahan the way a comedy team uses a straight man to set up jokes (that would be Strahan’s role in this scenario) whose punch lines were delivered by the comedian (in this case, Ripa). When Strahan became fully integrated into the proceedings — that is, after the initial period of politeness a new co-host extends while learning the rhythms of a show — he naturally exhibited more of his personality, and that may have been where some of the strain between the two began.

The show won Daytime Emmys in 2012, 2015, and 2016 and maintained or exceeded the ratings it had during Philbin’s final years on the show, so by any measure, Strahan’s tenure must be judged a success.

Now it’s on to the weeks of guest hosts and tryouts, starting next week with Jimmy Kimmel. Kimmel, of course, is no serious contender for the job — his nighttime Los Angeles perch is too secure. But with candidates such as Jussie Smollett, Cedric the Entertainer, Anderson Cooper, and Daniel Dae Kim already announced as cycling through in the coming weeks, the competition will be fierce. May I suggest that Rob Lowe, who was an excellent co-host during the Regis interregnum, be freshly considered, now that the The Grinder has been lamentably canceled?

After Ripa’s brief rebellion and her statements afterward about needing to feel more valued, you can bet her vote is going to count disproportionately toward whoever will occupy the seat next to her, probably into the next decade.

Live! with Kelly airs weekdays at 9 a.m. on ABC.