Kelly Ripa News: Host Gets Apology from ABC as She Returns to 'Live!' and Michael Strahan Preps to Leave in May
On Tuesday, Kelly Ripa made her return to "Live! With Kelly and Michael," following the controversy that put the show on hot waters last week.
Ripa's return follows after news emerged that she received a personal apology from ABC for failing to inform her earlier about her co-host Michael Strahan's decision to move to "Good Morning America."
According to CNN, Disney and ABC's top executives personally apologized not only to Ripa but also to Strahan for last week's announcement that shocked Ripa most among others. Sources told the outlet that the chiefs "expressed regret for the way Kelly was told the news."
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The apology reportedly included Disney-ABC's Television Group leadership team, headed by Ben Sherwood, ABC News president James Goldston, and ABC stations president Rebecca Campbell. While it is unclear how Ripa and Strahan reacted towards the said apology, it is clear that Ripa has decided to put everything behind so she and Strahan can move on.
When she made her come-back after being a no-show for a couple of days, Ripa addressed the issue on live TV. According to U.S.A Today, "Guys, our long national nightmare is over. I first want to honestly sincerely thank you for welcoming me back to the show. The show of support to this bizarre time has really been overwhelming," she said.
Aside from thanking the staff and everyone else who gave her something to look forward to despite the damage, she admitted that she needed time off to put the pieces together. She also reminded viewers and the staff as well that she spent 26 years with the company and she has somehow earned the right to ask for time away from set.
Though the atmosphere seemed to have returned to normal between Ripa and Strahan, People reports that Strahan's last day on "Live!" will be Friday, May 13. He was supposed to leave in September.
