Kelly Ripa Sits Out as Michael Strahan Talks About GMA Move

By Mark Joyella 

If you intended to try and read the body language between Michael Strahan and Kelly Ripa on Live with Kelly and Michael this morning, you’ll have to wait for another day.

Co-host Kelly Ripa wasn’t on the show Wednesday, with Ana Gasteyer filling in–and chatting with Strahan about leaving Live to join Good Morning America.

ABC announced Tuesday Strahan would make the move, with his full-time duties at GMA set to begin in September. According to some accounts, Ripa was unhappy with the way the announcement was handled. Officially, she was described as having the day off.

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“Good morning, everybody. Kelly is off today,” Strahan said, noting that he had “been in the news lately… yes, I am leaving this show.” Strahan said he would be available to fill in from time to time.

UPDATE: People reports ABC is uncertain when Ripa may return to the show:

“Kelly told ABC she wasn’t coming in last night,” says the source. “They don’t know yet when she’ll be back.”

Another TV source says Ripa is currently “refusing to come back” and that while she could decide to return any time, her plan is not to for the rest of this week.

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