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Former NFL Star Michael Strahan Joins Kelly Ripa As Co-Host

By on September 4, 2012

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It’s official: Former football star Michael Strahan joined “Live! With Kelly” as permanent co-host on Monday.

The former New York Giant jogged onto the morning show set and picked up co-host Kelly Ripa in a bear hug, lifting her off her feet. He replaces Philbin, who left last November. Strahan was the survivor in a series of on-air tryouts of potential co-hosts since Philbin left, and his hiring has been an open secret for the past two weeks.

Strahan appeared relaxed and amiable on his first day and drew “ahhhs” from women in the studio audience when he presented Ripa with a dozen red roses.

“It’s so nice to have a co-host literally sweep you off your feet,” Ripa said, “and I know that he can bench press me if he wanted to.”

Congrats to Michael. Read more here.

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  • http://www.facebook.com/willboywonder Will Saunders

    This is good. I’m not really big on Michael Strahan, but I love seeing more diversity on television. When I was a kid, there weren’t many black faces on national broadcast TV programs. Ed Bradley was the only one for the longest time. I also seem to recall Della Reese had a show for a short time. But it’s good for kids coming along now to see positive images on television in a variety of different types of roles. Good for Michael for setting a good example.