Michael Strahan exits as Kelly Ripa’s talk-show partner

NEW YORK — Michael Strahan said goodbye to his daytime talk show with Kelly Ripa on Friday, an exit accelerated by awkwardness surrounding the announcement of his new job at ABC’s “Good Morning America.”

After walking out hand-in-hand with Ripa, Strahan acknowledged the moment was bittersweet.

“Of course, you get nervous like this,” the former New York Giants football star said. “This is a moment I didn’t anticipate being here at this point. But it’s here, and I’m going to enjoy it.”

He said he’ll remain “in the family.” “Good Morning America,” which is counting on Strahan’s sunny personality to reverse fading ratings, is broadcast right before “Live with Kelly and Michael” in much of the country.

But he became wide-eyed when Ripa suggested that he guest-host for her when she goes on vacation in a couple of weeks.

“I don’t know about that,” he said. “When they say ‘too soon?’ Yes.”

Ripa was reportedly angry to learn only minutes before the rest of the world that her TV partner was leaving. She took a few days off work and received apologies from her bosses after the incident was widely publicized.

Actor Matt Bomer and New York Knicks star Carmelo Anthony were the guests for Strahan’s last show.

Strahan was initially supposed to work through the summer, but his departure was moved up to Friday. The former football star began on “Live with Kelly and Michael” in 2012, replacing Regis Philbin.

Associated Press