Michael Strahan in talks to be Kelly Ripa's new co-host
Michael Strahan, current co-host of 'Fox NFL Sunday,' may replace Regis Philbin as Kelly Ripa's co-host on ABC's 'Live' show. Michael Strahan was among 59 guest co-hosts who have appeared on the morning show since Philbin left.
Super Bowl Champion and FOX TV analyst Michael Strahan attends an ugly sweater holiday party hosted by BlackBerry in 2011, in New York. Strahan is expected to move to ABC's 'Live' with co-host Kelly Ripa.
(Diane Bondareff/AP Images for BlackBerry)
Michael Strahan is in talks to be named co-host of "Live!" beside Kelly Ripa.
Strahan, 40, a former NFL star and currently a host of "Fox NFL Sunday," was in negotiations to be named as replacement for Regis Philbin, according to a source who spoke on condition of anonymity because the source was not authorized to speak about the negotiations.
Broadcasting & Cable, citing multiple sources with knowledge of the situation, said ABC was expected to announce him as co-host in early September.
The syndicated weekday show has left Ripa without a permanent co-host since Philbin left the show in November 2011. Since then, she has welcomed 59 guest co-hosts, some of whom, including Strahan, were under consideration for the permanent job. Strahan has made several guest appearances this year.
A spokeswoman for "Live!" declined to comment on Philbin's replacement.
On Monday, Disney-ABC Domestic Television had said Ripa will officially announce her new partner as he or she joins her on stage for the Sept. 4 broadcast.
Strahan, a former NFL defensive star, also headlined a short-lived Fox sitcom, "Brothers," in 2009.
Philbin, the original "Live!" host, exited at age 80 after presiding more than 28 years alongside several co-hosts.
Ripa became his on-air partner in 2001.
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Alicia Rancilio contributed to this report.