Michael Strahan said goodbye on Friday (5/13) to Live with Kelly and Michael. The host and former football player will head to Good Morning America in September. He’s leaving Live a little earlier than originally planned. After news broke that Michael would be exiting Live, his co-host Kelly Ripa tacked a few days on to her already scheduled vacation in protest. ABC brass only told Kelly and the Live crew about Michael’s eminent departure minutes before they announced it to the media. Feelings were hurt, and among everyone concerned, it was decided that Michael would take his bow from Live sooner rather than later.
It’s been a little chilly on the Live set since the news of Michael’s departure broke a couple of weeks ago, but everybody kept it cordial today as the hosts celebrated Michael’s tenure on the show, ending the duo’s four year television partnership on a nostalgic note.
Watch as Kelly sends Michael off with a video montage of classic moments. After a champagne toast, there were gifts for Michael and goodbyes. The departing host said the show wasn’t just about Kelly or himself. He thanked the hardworking Live crew and the studio audiences in particular, whom he felt brought such a special energy to the room, they served as Live’s third host.
Watch Michael’s Live with Kelly and Michael goodbye here.
