Defending his former co-host, Regis thinks the show's bosses should've told Kelly in the beginning about Michael Strahan's departure, but he believes that 'they're going to be alright.'
- Apr 22, 2016
AceShowbiz - Regis Philbin and Oprah Winfrey are defending Kelly Ripa amid daytime TV drama over Michael Strahan's departure from "Live! with Kelly and Michael". Met by photographers in New York City, the former "Live!" co-host said Kelly should have been told before ABC made the announcement.
"They should have told her in the beginning," he said (via TMZ). Asked if Kelly got backdoored, he cautiously responded, "To a degree. I can't tell because I'm not there." He also believes that the show will survive anyway. "They're going to be alright. It'll be fine," he said.
Asked if he would return, Regis said, "She has got a bunch of people that she likes. Whoever it is, God bless them. Regis has had enough. Twenty-eight years there, 25 more in Hollywood before I came here. I'm done."
Regis also had nothing but good words for Michael, saying, "He is great! He was great with the Giants. He is great on our ('Today') show. He is doing a lot of stuff. He really is. He is a real pro and they are going to use him down there because they're in second place right now."
Met on another occasion, Oprah told ET Online that "nobody should ever be blindsided." The former daytime talk show queen added, "I don't know who's in charge, but somebody should've said, 'This is going to happen.' You shouldn't have to read it in the paper. Ever."
Following news that Strahan would leave "Live!" for "Good Morning America", Kelly was off the Wednesday, April 21 show and will not be returning until at least Tuesday. A show spokesperson has confirmed that Ripa will be absent until Monday due to "a previously-scheduled vacation."
