Michael Strahan Leaving Live! With Kelly & Michael

 

Michael Strahan is leaving his co-host's chair at Live! With Kelly and Michael. Perhaps we are shocked because of the involved process that went into choosing Strahan as…well, not quite Regis Philbin's replacement, because really he was Kelly Ripa's replacement as she became the Regis, with the parade of guest hosts and the big announcement four short years ago. The whole process is still fresh in our minds!

As far as anyone watching could tell, Michael and Kelly got along famously, their jovial chemistry and the NFL Hall of Famer's infectious appeal prompting an immediate surge in the ratings when he was announced as a permanent co-host on Sept. 4, 2012. But he balanced Live! with a number of other ABC News gig, including occasional appearances on the network's flagship morning show, Good Morning America, and today the 44-year-old with the best gap in showbiz let it be known he'd be joining GMA full-time.

Regis' retirement (he also didn't go far, we just saw him on TV yesterday)in 2011 was particularly momentous for so many of all ages, his regular presence on the small screen preceding not only our birth but our interest in morning TV. One day he was just…there. And there he remained until we were grownups. (In age, at least.)