Source: N.Y Daily News
TV industry insiders are ripping Ripa’s “diva” reaction to her co-host flying the coop.
Kelly Ripa — who threw a “fit” after Michael Strahan and network brass surprised her with news he had accepted a high-profile “Good Morning America” gig — put “Live!” producers in a jam when she took a surprise “sick day” Wednesday, sources told the Daily News. It was later learned that she would be off the air until next Tuesday for a "previously scheduled vacation," a rep for the show said.
“Saturday Night Live” alum Ana Gasteyer stepped up after show staff scrambled to find a replacement. Strahan, in his first on-air appearance since news of his departure broke Tuesday, even praised Ripa at the end of the show.
Insiders are “stunned by her behavior,” they told The News on Wednesday.
Kelly Ripa
“She is acting like a child, a diva and hurting her reputation with this sort of behavior,” one said. “It makes her look bad and makes all the horrible rumors about her bad attitude off camera seem true.”
Ripa may have been “shocked” by the announcement, as previously reported by The News, but insiders said Strahan had given bosses “several months’ notice.”
“This whole blindsiding thing is nonsense. He got a great job offer and took it — same as anyone else would,” a source said.
FOX correspondent Erin Andrews will substitute for Ripa on Thursday and Friday. On Monday, "Pretty Little Liars" star Shay Mitchell is expected to join Strahan as a guest co-host.
The retired Giants star announced Tuesday afternoon that he would leave “Live!” soon to make his two-day-a-week “Good Morning America” stint full-time.
Cheers,
Errol