Kelly Ripa won't return to 'Live' this week, Erin Andrews to fill in

Updated
Kelly Ripa's Future on 'Live' Unclear as Michael Strahan Exits
Kelly Ripa's Future on 'Live' Unclear as Michael Strahan Exits



Kelly Ripa will not be back on Live With Kelly and Michael this week, a spokesperson for ABC has confirmed to The Hollywood Reporter.

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Erin Andrews, who is a colleague of Michael Strahan's at Fox Sports, will guest co-host with him on Thursday and Friday. Pretty Little Liars star Shay Mitchell will co-host with Strahan on Monday, as Ripa had a pre-scheduled day off, according to the spokesperson.

Strahan's impending departure from the show was announced on Tuesday. Since then, Ripa has been a no-show. Frequent fill-in Ana Gasteyer was there on Wednesday, apparently pressed into service on Tuesday evening.

Kelly Ripa through the years:

There has been tension between Strahan and Ripa for some time, say sources. The relationship further deteriorated when Strahan was named a correspondent on GMA in 2014. Ripa felt, according to someone close to the show, that the company was prioritizing GMA over Live.

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At the time, ABC News executives made it clear that Strahan had an open invitation to appear more frequently on GMA. And he recently pulled the trigger on that opportunity, said an ABC source. The deal for a full-time arrangement came together fairly quickly. Strahan, whose interview skills have improved since his time on Live and GMA, was looking for a broader platform, even if it comes with a 4 a.m. wake-up call.

A source close to Strahan says he intends to stay on the show through the summer as previously planned. The show will commence auditioning new co-hosts for Ripa in September.

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