Michael Strahan’s
leaving “Live,” and Kelly Ripa may not have anything to do with it.
A source told
Access Hollywood exclusively on Wednesday that Michael was “not super
thrilled” to be working on the daytime talk show, but his co-host wasn’t
the problem.
“I know he
loves Kelly, but I don’t think he was thrilled to work with EP Gelman,”
the source said, referring to “Live’s” longtime executive producer
Michael Gelman.
WATCH: Access Flashback: Michael Strahan Talks Becoming Kelly Ripa’s ‘Live’ Co-Host
The source added
that Michael once got candid about his unhappiness while they were on set
together.
“Michael
made a comment, whispering to me, ‘Man, I can’t believe I put up with this
s***,'” the source told Access.
MORE: Michael Strahan Leaving ‘Live’ For ‘Good Morning America’
However, the
source – who was present for Tuesday’s taping – explained that there was no
tension on set before Michael’s big news broke.
According to the
source, they had “no idea” Michael was planning to leave – the former
football pro “acted totally normal” during Tuesday’s show and
“everything was business as usual.”
Reports that
Michael’s announcement blindsided Kelly were fueled when she was absent from
Wednesday’s “Live,” and “Saturday Night Live” alum Ana
Gasteyer filled in.
Michael joined “Live” in September 2012, and the source told Access the crew will be sad to see
him go.
WATCH: Marlon Wayans’ Funny Ideas On Who Should Replace Michael Strahan On ‘Live’
“Everybody
at ‘Live’ loves him,” the source said of Michael, who is departing for a
full-time position at “Good Morning America.”
Anderson Cooper
and Neil Patrick Harris are just two of the names rumored as possible
replacements for Michael next fall.
Former
“Live” host Regis Philbin, for whom Michael took over, issued a
statement to Access Hollywood on the former football pro’s latest career move –
and hinted that he may have even bigger goals for the future.
“Years ago I
interviewed Michael Strahan on my show, and I asked him what he will do when he
leaves the Giants,'” Regis recalled. “He said, ‘I want your job,’ and
years later he got it. Now he’s moving on to ‘GMA.’ Next stop could be Washington.”
Access Hollywood
has reached out to “Live” and Michael Gelman for comment. Michael Strahan had no comment.
— Erin Biglow
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