The former 'All My Children' star says they need to start searching for a new co-host as early as possible because finding the perfect 'chemistry and camaraderie and trust' is not easy.
- May 12, 2016
AceShowbiz - Kelly Ripa wants Michael Strahan to leave "Live! with Kelly and Michael" early. In an interview for her cover story on PEOPLE's newest edition, the petite television host explains the need to find a new co-host as soon as possible.
"What we've explained to them is, well, if you had asked us, we would have told you, 'Guys, we need to start looking because we have summer hiatus, we have vacation time. We need to find people. If we're going to have this list narrowed down at least to a manageable size by the fall, we need to start now,' " she says.
"We have to now find another great person, which is fun but challenging," she opens up. "Our show is one based on chemistry and camaraderie and trust. All those things don't just happen; it doesn't fall out of the sky. It takes a lot of work, and it takes a group discussion."
When asked about the Anderson Cooper, rumor Kelly coyly responds, "Stay tuned." Despite keeping tight lips on the possible candidate for Michael's replacement, she assures that the show will still have two hosts. "I like having a partner," she explains. "I don't think it works otherwise. I need someone sitting next to me."
"We just keep doing it one show at a time," she adds. "We always try to remind ourselves it's never as good as we think it is and it's never as bad as we think is. We just keep marching forward. That's what we've done for years. It's not a formula I invented. This is a formula that Regis created, and we're sticking to it."
Kelly also discusses respect in the workplace as she talks about feeling blindsided by Michael's exit. "I think that requires a certain amount of empathy on a level." she says. "When you're dealing with big business, it's easy to forget that you're dealing with people and that people have feelings. It's easy to just look at it like a business unit. Sometimes stability and dependability can be misinterpreted as passive. Like, 'Oh, we don't have to worry about her, she's fine. She's fine.' "
