Ryan Seacrest was announced as Kelly Ripa‘s new, full-time cohost on Live! in May 2017. The news came nearly one year after Michael Strahan left the ABC morning show, and finding his replacement wasn’t easy. The former American Idol host had some stiff competition. Scroll down to see which top contenders Seacrest beat for the gig.
Anderson Cooper, Andy Cohen and More Contenders Ryan Seacrest Beat to Become Kelly Ripa’s ‘Live’ Cohost
Credit:
Anderson Cooper, Andy Cohen and More Contenders Ryan Seacrest Beat to Become Kelly Ripa's 'Live' Cohost
Ryan Seacrest was announced as Kelly Ripa's new, full-time cohost on Live! in May 2017. The news came nearly one year after Michael Strahan left the ABC morning show, and finding his replacement wasn't easy. The former American Idol host had some stiff competition. Scroll down to see which top contenders Seacrest beat for the gig.
Credit:
Anderson Cooper, Andy Cohen and More Contenders Ryan Seacrest Beat to Become Kelly Ripa's 'Live' Cohost
Ryan Seacrest was announced as Kelly Ripa's new, full-time cohost on Live! in May 2017. The news came nearly one year after Michael Strahan left the ABC morning show, and finding his replacement wasn't easy. The former American Idol host had some stiff competition. Scroll down to see which top contenders Seacrest beat for the gig.
Anderson Cooper was one of the first names to circle the internet as a potential candidate to replace Strahan. The CNN anchor guest-hosted Live! multiple times and has been close friends with Ripa for years. However, he signed a deal in October 2016 to remain the host of CNN's Anderson Cooper 360, putting him out of the running.
Andy Cohen is also good friends with Ripa, but he told Us Weekly in August 2016 that he has too many jobs to add another role to his résumé. "I have 10 jobs!" the Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen host quipped, adding, "I have my own late-night talk show that's on every night at 11 o'clock!"
Mark Consuelos and Ripa make a great team and have been married for 21 years, but they've made it clear that working as cohosts might not be the best idea. The actor has been a frequent guest host on Live! through the years and was even a top contender to replace Regis Philbin after he left the show in 2011. However, Ripa said in a 2012 Vanity Fair interview that Consuelos "doesn't see how we could stay married and both do that show."
After making several appearances as a Live! guest host, Chris Hardwick hinted that he would consider a permanent spot. "I love doing it. I guess I would have to see if they ask me," the Wall host said on Watch What Happens Live in January 2017, adding that he "would really strongly consider it."
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