Jimmy Kimmel to Guest-Host 'Live' With Kelly Ripa After Michael Strahan Exit
ABC has already settled on Live! With Kelly and Michael": Jimmy Kimmel.
Kimmel, who also hosts an eponymous show with "Live" in its title for the network, will make the switch from nighttime to daytime to sit alongside Kelly Ripa, who will be searching for a new permanent co-host for the talk show. Kimmel's one-off stint on "Live!" will take place on Monday, May 16.
Strahan, who's leaving "Live!" to head to fellow ABC morning show "Good Morning America" full-time, was originally supposed to depart the program in September. But after some major behind-the-scenes drama with Ripa -- the hostess didn't show up for work for two days, reportedly over feeling disrespected that she wasn't told about Strahan's exit ahead of time -- it seems ABC is intent on cutting down on the awkwardness, and the network accelerated Strahan's departure date to Friday, May 13. (The official reasoning was that the network wanted to give Ripa and "Live!" ample time to find a replacement.)
Kimmel, who hosts "Jimmy Kimmel Live" in Los Angeles, will be in New York City -- where "Live! With Kelly and Michael" shoots -- the week of the 16th for the annual upfront presentations, where networks woo advertisers and station executives. It's unclear who will take his place the day after his "Live!" appearance, though perhaps another synergistic pick from ABC is in the works. Stay tuned.
[via: Deadline]
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