There's A New Man In Town!!!

Courtesy of USAToday.com

"Michael Strahan, who played his entire career with the New York Giants, will take the seat next to Ripa on Sept. 4, said an executive at producer Disney ABC Television Group not authorized to talk publicly about the decision. The news was first reported in the trade journal Broadcasting & Cable."

"Strahan was among 59 co-hosts who have substituted for Philbin over the past nine months, some as larks (Neil Patrick Harris) and others as viable candidates. Saturday Night Live's Seth Meyers was a finalist; other co-hosts included Josh Groban, Nick Lachey and Ripa's husband, Mark Consuelos."

"The on-air tryouts marked a repeat of the process by which Ripa — then an actress on ABC soap All My Children replaced Kathie Lee Gifford in 2001, beating finalist Lisa Rinna. It was clear they clicked: Last Friday, in his 16th appearance this year, Ripa introduced Strahan and added, "At this point, I feel like you should be announcing me!"

"Strahan, who is expected to keep his weekend job as co-host of Fox NFL Sunday, also starred in Brothers, a short-lived Fox sitcom in fall 2009, and has appeared in several commercials."

"But he is known to football fans as the gap-toothed defensive end who capped his 14-year pro career with a Super Bowl win in 2008 and then retired from the game."

"Bill Carroll, a syndication analyst for Katz Television Group, says Strahan won't be mistaken for his predecessor, who left in November in a contract dispute after a 28-year run. Philbin vowed he wasn't retiring."

"At 40, Strahan is exactly half Philbin's age, and at 6-foot-5, he towers over the petite Ripa, 41. They didn't replace Regis. They found Kelly a new co-host, someone who could start anew with her and establish the next generation with the show, Carroll says. "They certainly have a nice rapport together. They tease each other and they seem to have a comfort level."

"Ratings have largely held up since Philbin left the show, suggesting he was less crucial to the show's success than believed. Live With Kelly (presumably to be renamed Live With Kelly & Michael), averages 3.4 million viewers each weekday."

"But more than ratings, they were looking at chemistry, Carroll says, and ultimately, that's (how) they made the decision."

 

Side Bar ~ Standing at 6-foot-5 with a seductive gap-toothe . . . Yeah, Kelly Ripa I would be holdin' on for dear life too!

There's A New Man In Town!!!