Kelly Ripa Not Returning to 'Live!' Until Next Week Amid Michael Strahan's Impending Exit
The Live! With Kelly and Michaelfallout continues.
After skipping Wednesday's taping following the announcement that Michael Strahan's would be leaving to go full-time at Good Morning America, Kelly Ripa won't be back until next week at the earliest, ABC told ET.
"On tomorrow’s Live! with Kelly and Michael, Erin Andrews will guest co-host with Michael Strahan. Friday’s show -- which already was scheduled to pre-tape on Thursday -- also will be co-hosted by Andrews," the network revealed in a statement. "Kelly Ripa will be out on Friday and Monday for a previously-scheduled vacation. On Monday’s show, Michael will be joined by Pretty Little Liars star Shay Mitchell."
The “previously-scheduled vacation” could be for Ripa's upcoming 20th anniversary with her husband, Mark Consuelos. The couple eloped on May 1, 1996.
ABC, which hopes to have a replacement for Strahan for the new season in September, added that the show "continues to be a vibrant and enduring franchise under our lead host, the extraordinarily talented Kelly Ripa," and "has successfully transitioned co-hosts twice before and will do so again."
SOURCE: Kelly Ripa Threatens to Not Return to 'Live!' Until Michael Strahan's Departure
An on-set source told ET earlier Wednesday that the 45-year-old co-host is "pretty pissed off" over Strahan's departure, and has "threatened to not come back until Michael leaves."
“She put her neck out for Michael to be a part of the show four years ago,” the source added. “She is actually miserable with the show, has been for a while now...They have not [been] getting along that well recently, but this [takes] the cake.”
"Michael said during the break that it was 'a hard day' for everyone," the source continued, noting that the 44-year-old former NFL pro "was positive, professional and graceful throughout the shooting."
Meanwhile, Oprah Winfrey commented on Strahan’s exit, telling ET on Wednesday, "Nobody should ever be blindsided."
EXCLUSIVE: Michael Strahan Calls Dramatic 'Live!' Taping a 'Hard Day' for Everyone
"I don't know who's in charge, but somebody should've said, 'This is gonna happen.' You shouldn't have to read it in the paper. Ever," the media mogul added.
Watch below: