'GMA' Anchors Are Reportedly Pulling a Kelly Ripa on Michael Strahan
Michael Strahan's new hosting gig at Good Morning America may be a great look for him, but according to recent reports, his fellow co-hosts are just smiling for the cameras, as they're not all the way there for him for a specific reason.
According to Page Six, the former athlete, who notoriously made his exit from Live! last year, blindsiding his then co-host Kelly Ripa in the process, is getting special treatment on the GMA set. Allegedly, the other anchors are tired of it.
The site reports that Strahan has been given extra opportunities by the show's producers while the veteran anchors are left with the scraps. "They roll out the carpet for [Strahan] while seasoned talent is treated like dirt," the source said. "He's been given a lot of opportunity, flexibility, when the others who have been working there longer don't get that kind of treatment."
In particular, pop anchor Lara Spencer reportedly "feels like her role has been minimized with Strahan," with the source adding that while the veteran co-hosts are definitely disgruntled by the situation, they know how to turn it on and off once the cameras are rolling.
"They know how to put it on for the cameras, but he's doing a lot of what Lara should be doing [on the show] and she's not happy," the source added. "She's the pop person."
One of the main faces of GMA, George Stephanopoulos, is also reportedly tired of the shake-up, as he refuses to interact and just shows up, does his job and leaves.
"He's bored with the fluff," the source explained. "He goes into work, does the show and leaves by 8:57 a.m. He doesn't interact. He's been phoning it in for quite some time."
An ABC News exec vehemently denied the rumors in a direct statement.
"That's just bulls**t," the exec said. "They get along great. She loves having someone with his sense of humor on the show. Michael is lovely with the staff... And as for Lara, she has far more airtime in the 8 a.m. hour and is loving the studio audience."
Strahan left Live! in 2016 without reportedly properly informing his co-host, Kelly Ripa. Following his controversial exit, Ripa took some time away from the show and appeared frustrated for being left out of the process. There were also reports of backstage drama while he was there, with claims that he was the butt of shady actions and comments on set.
Let Strahan be great!
Get the history of Strahan's exit from Live! with BET Breaks above.