Kelly Ripa, Michael Strahan Tension at ABC
- NEW YORK (AP) — ABC staffers are anticipating possible awkward encounters as Kelly Ripa and Michael Strahan,former co-hosts of "Live!," may find themselves in close proximity due to...
- The move, slated for June, will see "Good Morning America" (GMA), where Strahan has been a co-anchor since 2016, relocate from its Times Square studio to ABC's new...
- Sources indicate that the new "GMA" set will be located just steps away from the "Live!" studio.
Ripa,Strahan Face Potential Run-In as ABC Morning Shows Consolidate
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NEW YORK (AP) — ABC staffers are anticipating possible awkward encounters as Kelly Ripa and Michael Strahan,former co-hosts of “Live!,” may find themselves in close proximity due to the consolidation of ABC’s morning shows at a new Manhattan location.
Morning Show Shake-Up
The move, slated for June, will see “Good Morning America” (GMA), where Strahan has been a co-anchor since 2016, relocate from its Times Square studio to ABC’s new Hudson Square headquarters. This follows “Live with Kelly and mark,” co-hosted by Ripa and her husband Mark Consuelos, already transitioning to the downtown facility earlier this year.
Proximity Concerns
Sources indicate that the new “GMA” set will be located just steps away from the “Live!” studio. The studios, situated on the basement level, will share a hallway and elevator, raising the likelihood of an unplanned meeting between Ripa and Strahan, who reportedly have not spoken since Strahan’s abrupt departure from “Live!” nearly a decade ago.
One ABC insider, speaking on condition of anonymity, suggested the proximity could be uncomfortable. “They will be feet away from each other,” the insider said. “The staff is on tenterhooks.”
The Fallout
The relationship between Ripa and Strahan soured when Strahan left “Live! With Kelly and Michael” to join “Good Morning America” without prior notification to Ripa. the Disney-owned network is reportedly taking measures to prevent any on-site clashes, considering “GMA” airs from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m.,followed by “live with kelly and Mark” from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m.
According to a source familiar with the situation, “Plans are in place to get Michael and Kelly in and out without crossing paths.” The source added that while both hosts typically leave quickly after their respective shows, ABC is prepared with contingency plans should their schedules overlap.
Network Response
An ABC spokesperson issued a statement saying,”There is absolutely no truth to this – both Kelly and Michael are consummate professionals and are excited to continue to co-host their top-rated shows in our new state of the art studios.”
Other Staff Concerns
Ripa and Strahan are not the only ABC personalities potentially affected by the move.Employees of “The View” are reportedly unhappy about sharing a studio and dressing room with Tamron Hall’s show,despite the new building’s amenities,including roof gardens and a theatre.
An insider described the new office space as “very basic,” with limited desks and office space. Though, a network source disputed this, stating, “There are plenty of desks and space to accommodate everyone. The building is gorgeous.”
Ratings Race
Strahan, alongside Robin Roberts and George Stephanopoulos, has contributed to “GMA’s” success in the morning show ratings. In recent months, “GMA” has been competing closely with NBC’s “Today.” In the first quarter of 2025, “GMA” trailed “Today” by approximately 7,000 viewers, with “Today” amassing over 2.7 million total viewers.
Ripa, with co-hosts Ryan Seacrest (previously) and now Consuelos, maintains the top spot in her time slot, averaging over 2.3 million viewers.
Past Tensions
The tension between Ripa and Strahan became public when Ripa learned of Strahan’s move to “GMA” shortly before the official announcement. Ripa subsequently took a week off from “Live!,” prompting an apology from then-ABC News president Ben Sherwood.
A source close to Strahan claimed he harbors “no bad blood” toward Ripa. Though, others point to a 2023 interview where Ripa expressed frustration over receiving a smaller office compared to Strahan after Regis Philbin’s departure in 2011.
In past interviews, Strahan has said that he and Ripa are not friends and do not speak.He told The New york Times in 2020 that he respected Ripa’s professional abilities but felt like a “sidekick” rather than a “partner” during his time on “Live!”
A source close to Ripa dismissed suggestions of ongoing conflict, stating, “Apparently some petty person is trying to relive the spring of 2016 by bringing this up again, even though there has not been a single conflict between them in the nine years since.”
Ripa & Strahan: Will They cross Paths? Your Burning Questions Answered
Q: What’s happening wiht Kelly Ripa and Michael Strahan, and why is it a story?
A: The buzz centers around a potential awkward situation for former “Live!” co-hosts Kelly Ripa and Michael Strahan. ABC is consolidating its morning show operations in a new Manhattan headquarters, which means “Good Morning America” (GMA), were Strahan is a co-anchor, will be located very close too the “Live with Kelly and Mark” studio. Considering their past history, this proximity has sparked speculation about potential encounters and the underlying tension between the two.
Q: Where are these morning shows moving, and when?
A: The move involves a relocation of “Good Morning America” (GMA) from its Times Square studio to a new Hudson Square headquarters.”Live with Kelly and Mark” is already operating from this new location.The consolidation is slated for June.
Q: Why is this proximity a problem? What is their history?
A: Their relationship soured when Strahan left “Live! With Kelly and Michael” to join “Good Morning America” without informing Ripa beforehand. This abrupt departure apparently caused critically important friction. sources indicate the two haven’t spoken since Strahan’s departure almost a decade ago.
Q: What are the specific concerns about the new studio setup?
A: the studios for “GMA” and “Live!” are very close,sharing a hallway and an elevator. This increases the likelihood of an unexpected meeting between Ripa and Strahan. One ABC insider was quoted as saying, “They will be feet away from each other.”
Q: How is ABC planning to handle this situation?
A: According to a source, ABC is implementing measures to minimize any on-site clashes. While the network has not disclosed specific plans, the source noted contingency plans are being put in place.
Q: What has ABC said officially about the situation?
A: An ABC spokesperson issued a statement downplaying the issue: ”There is absolutely no truth to this – both kelly and Michael are consummate professionals and are excited to continue to co-host their top-rated shows in our new state-of-the-art studios.”
Q: What are the main points of tension between Ripa and Strahan based on the provided data?
| point of Tension | Details From Article |
| :—————- | :—————————————————————————————————————————————————————————– |
| Strahan’s Departure from “Live!” | He left the show to join “GMA” without notifying Ripa beforehand, leading to her taking a week off from “Live!” |
| office Space Disparity | Ripa expressed frustration over receiving a smaller office than Strahan after Regis Philbin’s departure from “Live!” |
| Lack of Friendship | Strahan stated in interviews that they are not friends and do not speak. He viewed his role on ”Live!” as a “sidekick” rather than a “partner”. |
Q: Are there any other tensions at the new ABC headquarters?
A: Yes. Employees of “The View” are reportedly unhappy about sharing a studio and dressing room with Tamron Hall’s show. Additionally, there are reported concerns about limited office space, even though this has been disputed by a network source.
Q: How are the morning shows performing in the ratings?
A: “GMA,” featuring Strahan, competes closely with NBC’s “Today.” In the first quarter of 2025, “GMA” trailed “today” by approximately 7,000 viewers, with “Today” having over 2.7 million total viewers. “live with Kelly and Mark” is consistently at the top of its time slot, averaging over 2.3 million viewers.
Q: What do sources on both sides say about ongoing conflict?
A: A source close to Strahan claims he holds “no bad blood” towards Ripa.On the other hand, a source close to Ripa dismissed the suggestions of ongoing conflict, stating that there hasn’t been a single conflict between them in the nine years since Strahan’s departure.