Michael Strahan and Kelly Ripa found themselves embroiled in one of the biggest TV feuds of the year last month when the abrupt announcement was made that Strahan would be leaving “Live With Kelly & Michael” to become a full-time anchor for “Good Morning America.” Although it seemed like the former talk show BFFs had squashed their beef on camera, rumors were still flying that they were still bitterly feuding behind the scenes. Now, reports claim that Strahan and Ripa have finally squashed their issues privately.
As previously reported, there was strife between Strahan and Ripa because Ripa was told about Strahan’s departure just a few minutes before ABC made the announcement to the viewers. Ripa was reportedly furious that she was blindsided with the news and she didn’t show up for work for four days after the announcement.
However, when Ripa returned to work last week, she made a public statement to the studio audience and revealed that the rumors were correct about her issues with Strahan and his departure. But she explained that they had settled their differences.
“We are incredibly devoted to one another. We are family,” she explained. “Apologies have been made and the best thing to come out of all of this, you guys, is that our parent company has assured me that Live is a priority. I am thrilled for Michael. I’m thrilled for you. This is a tremendous opportunity and I couldn’t be and we couldn’t be prouder of you.”
However, even after Ripa’s speech, reports continued to hit the web that Strahan and Ripa were barely speaking off camera and that Ripa was taking digs at Strahan on camera. Specifically, reports noted how Ripa brought up Strahan’s infamous and messy divorce from his second wife, Jean Muggli, in 2006 during a segment about divorced couples sharing a home for their kids sake.
With only a few weeks left before Strahan leaves for “GMA” on May 13, many assumed that the co-hosts would just continue to silently feud. However, that idea seemed to go out the window during yesterday’s show when Ripa and Strahan were friendly with each other as they celebrated their latest Daytime Emmy Award for “outstanding entertainment talk show hosts” on Sunday night.
“Michael and Kelly seemed to be better than ever,” an eyewitness told Radar. “No more on-air digs or dirty looks!”
Sources say the pair were even chatting and joking with each other again during commercial breaks.
“During the breaks Kelly and Michael were laughing and whispering things into each others’ ears. It really looked like they had put their differences aside and are back to being friends,” the insider said.
The source claims that producers are happy that Ripa and Strahan didn’t have another awkward moment on camera and that they’re back to being friends again.
“Everything is great between them, their longtime chemistry made them such as great team is back,” the source said.
Well, we hope the report is real and that Strahan and Ripa can finally let bygones be bygones.
