Michael Strahan Goes 'Live' With Kelly Ripa
Regis Philbin's Replacement as Co-Host a Hit or Miss for Morning TV Viewers?
Michael Strahan finally debuted Tuesday morning as Kelly Ripa's co-host on "Live! With Kelly," taking the spot Regis Philbin left vacant last year.
The ABC morning show had seen dozens of temporary fill-ins and guest co-hosts over the past year, but the former NFL star apparently has been welcomed with open arms by Ripa as well as loyal viewers of the program. The Los Angeles Times writes that Strahan's "self-deprecating sense of humor and chemistry with Ripa" are what drew fans to him the most.
Strahan, a former New York Giant, had reportedly been offered the permanent gig to replace Philbin after undergoing a tryout – and beating out competitors like Seth Myers and Josh Groban.
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The news was welcomed by fans of "Live! With Kelly" Tuesday, with many taking to Twitter to welcome Strahan.
"LOVE that @michaelstrahan is the new co-host on LIVE with Kelly!" wrote Gabby Rosenthal, adding the hashtag "best news ever."
Former NBA All-Star James Donaldson wrote, "I'm happy to see my man Michael Strahan getting an opportunity to show his stuff on an even bigger stage..."
"Huge Congrats to @MichaelStrahan & @KellyRipa! Looking forward to spending each morning with you guys!! #DynamicDuo," wrote Patrick McDonald.
However, not everyone is a fan of Ripa, 40, being joined by Strahan, who currently hosts "Fox NFL Sunday."
"Strahan's whole shtick is to smile and laugh all the time. On his NFL pre-game show he doesn't even give good football analysis when you can understand what he is saying," wrote one reader commenting on a report of the news.
"I also think a bad choice.. Should've went with a Jerry Seinfeld or Anderson Cooper.. I think this will be a short lived show for Michael," wrote another reader.
Ripa said that out of all the stars who tried out for Philbin's chair, she had the most chemistry with Strahan. She noted Tuesday in a press conference that they both have "similar senses of humor."
Strahan, 40, backed that up, saying, "You can't get on live TV every morning and fool people. We're two people who can laugh at themselves and laugh at each other."
The NFL star was joined on set Tuesday by his fiancee Nicole Murphy, who tweeted a photo of the pair with the caption: "On set with my baby."
