Michael Strahan's 'bittersweet' 'Live With Kelly and Michael' features laughs, tributes

Michael Strahan co-hosted his last episode of Live With Kelly and Michael on Friday, leaving the daytime show ahead of joining Good Morning America full time in the fall.

While reports ahead of Strahan's episode indicated that the entire show wouldn't be dedicated to saying goodbye to Kelly Ripa's co-host, the duo didn't waste any time addressing Strahan's departure.

During the show intro, the announcer said, "Join us to raise a glass to remember laughs and fun times we shared on Michael Strahan's flashback farewell Friday."

Ripa, wearing a black dress, and Strahan, sporting a dark suit and purple shirt that was open at the neck, walked out to P!nk's "Raise a Glass" and then in a reversal of their normal habit, Ripa pulled out Strahan's chair for him.

Once Ripa took a seat, she grabbed Strahan around the neck lovingly.

See photos of Kelly Ripa and Michael Strahan together:

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Her first words, though, addressed the ominous date, as the show traditionally begins with the co-hosts stating the date.

"Don't take this as a bad sign: it's Friday the 13th. But you said 13 is a lucky number," Ripa said.

"It is your final day on the show," she continued, as the audience said, "Awww." "We all came to celebrate you. We want to remind you that there's a run on discounted merchandise at the kiosk," she joked.

Strahan then addressed his farewell.

"It's bittersweet. Of course you get nervous," he said. "This is a moment I didn't anticipate being here, at least not at this point. I'm not dying. I'm still in the family and still available to come back as co-host."

Read More: Who Should Replace Michael Strahan as Kelly Ripa's 'Live' Co-Host? (Poll)

Strahan added that he didn't want the show to make a big fuss over him. "I don't like a big to do about it. We come out here every morning, we make people laugh, that's what we need to do now. Get on with the show," he said.

See photos of Kelly Ripa through the years:

With that they talked about what they did the night before but just a few minutes later they took their first look back, remembering some of Strahan's memorable host-chat moments, from the opening segment of the show when they traditionally talk about the news and what they did the night before and present the day's trivia contest.

The look back featured a montage of Ripa and Strahan walking out and dancing; playing jelly bean roulette, with Strahan appearing to get some unfortunate-tasting flavors; Kelly measuring his tongue; and the time Strahan accidentally gave away the answer to the trivia contest when he misheard the caller's guess.

"Gelman wants me to remind you you owe him $8,000," Ripa joked when the montage ended.

Strahan, "I really thought I heard 'bowling,' [which was the correct answer]."

Read More: Michael Strahan Leaves Bigger Shoes to Fill After 4-Year 'Live!' Stint

After they returned from the break, they took a quick look back at more of their memorable moments together, including the two of them pretending to try out shake weights, something Ripa said she still wonders why they did.

The first Live guest, Matt Bomer, who appeared with Strahan in Magic Mike XXL, took a minute to "get a little sappy," as he called it and praise Strahan. "You always conduct yourself with great intelligence and grace, and I wish you the best," he said.

After Bomer's interview, when Live returned from its commercial break, the show played another montage of Ripa and Strahan, this time dancing.

Ripa joked there was nothing more they enjoyed than watching flashback footage of themselves.

Carmelo Anthony was the next guest.