So, How Awkward Was Michael Strahan’s Last ‘LIVE with Kelly & Michael’?

After a few awkward weeks of drama for LIVE with Kelly & Michael, today is co-host Michael Strahan’s last day on the morning talk show. It all started when bosses broke the news to Kelly Ripa that Strahan would be moving over to Good Morning America, just minutes before it hit the news. Ripa stood up for herself, took a few days off to collect herself, and made the smart decision to have today be Strahan’s last day, instead of keeping him around through the summer.
When she returned to the show, she made sure to tell Strahan she was “thrilled” for him, and that her days off were about “respect in the workplace.” Starting next week, Ripa will begin her search for a new co-host. Joining her will be Jimmy Kimmel, Jussie Smollett, Cedric the Entertainer, David Muir, and Daniel Dae Kim.
But first, we will watch this morning’s show just to see how many uncomfortable moments we can spot. Now, both Ripa and Strahan are total professionals, but we’ll be keeping an eye on both the montages of Strahan’s best moments in the “Flashback Friday Farewell”, as well as their usual show bits: dialogues, interviews with guests Matt Bomer and Carmelo Anthony, and Strahan’s final goodbye.

Watch along with us and stay tuned below as we’ll be updating live!

9:00: It’s starting! Kelly & Michael walk out to Pink’s “Raise Your Glass”. Oh, it’s a celebration today! Kelly has on a black, form-fitting dress. You know, like she’s going to a funeral. MICHAEL STRAHAN’S FUNERAL. Remember, Kelly is the queen of using her wardrobe and accessories as visual subtweets. (See also: the FREEDOM jacket she wore just yesterday.)

9:02: Kelly gets the awkward out of the way saying, “Don’t take this as a bad sign, it’s Friday the 13th.” Michael has used the word “bittersweet” twice already, and has offered his services if anyone wants him to come back and fill in. Don’t wait up, Michael!

9:04: They’re pretending to do a regular show. Michael went to a watch fair last night. Kelly had some of her friends over for dinner, and then went out with her husband Mark and ran into Alex Rodriguez at the bar. It was very exciting for her, but a bit anti-climactic for us.
9:06: Kelly & Michael are talking about how tall a lot of athletes are. C’mon you two, TEAR EACH OTHER’S HAIR OUT!
9:07: Now we’re getting somewhere! Kelly recalls a time she sat down on a hotel toilet and her feet were dangling.
9:08: Kelly wonders what Shaq’s house is like and where the doorknobs are located because he’s very tall. It seems like a regular ol’ day with these two, their usual banter. Maybe even better than normal as they’re probably getting happier as they watch the clock go down.
9:12: The first montage of the morning! Some of the most memorable host chat moments—Kelly & Michael in happier times, in silly outfits, doing silly dance moves, debating the meaning of swag, high-fiving.
9:16: Game time. Starting to get worried this might be a rather uneventful show.
9:18: Kelly offers to go on the trip that a viewer won because Michael offered to fill in for her when she goes on vacay. So cute they keep joking about him ever coming back to the show.

9:22: Matt Bomer’s here, looking spiffy but not doing nearly enough dancing.
Oh, he’s getting “sappy”! He’s saying very nice things about Michael, mentioning his grace and gold thong (from Magic Mike XXL).
9:30: Matt Bomer is talking about his role in The Nice Guys I think, but I can’t take my eyes off his green slip-on Vans.
9:33: Another Flashback Friday montage. These last about 15 seconds and consist primarily of goofy dancing. Kelly states, “Nothing makes us happier than watching flashbacks of ourselves.”
9:35: Carmelo Anthony is in the guest seat now. He has on orange sneakers.

9:36: Oh, we’re back to the high toilet discussion thing.
9:38: Does Strahan always swivel in his chair this much? Seems like he moves around a lot.
9:45: Ok, now we’re getting reflective. Big montage time! Michael laughing, modeling, sumo wrestling, actual wrestling with Kevin James, and wrestling with accents. It’s cute, it’s silly.
9:50: They’ve transitioned to sadder music to show accomplishments on the show and Kelly introducing Michael for the first time, ending on the words “Keep Smiling”.
9:51: The return from the montage with Kelly & Michael holding hands. No tears, really. They share a sweet embrace before heading out to commercial.
9:55: It’s time for the final goodbyes. Kelly presents Michael with a series of gifts:

• a pair of his size 16 stilettos from a Halloween episode
• a photoshopped flashback photo of them both in short shorts
• and a photo book of memories from the show, with Kelly saying, “So you know no matter where you go you’re always here with us. Look at all we did together. We did everything together.”

Nice sentiment, but I can’t tell if her voice even quivered at all?
9:56: “Now to the booze!” Kelly and Michael pick up full glasses of champagne that looks nothing short of delicious. Kelly gives a sweet speech, saying “We couldn’t be prouder of you. You have given us so much joy in the mornings from your smile to your humor to your horrible French accent.” 100% steady. Sweet, but not emotional. They cheers and kiss on the cheeks.
9:57: Michael drops another “bittersweet” and thanks everybody for their work and for watching and letting them into their homes. Also, not emotional. Keeps saying thanks, until oh damn, they played him off with music.
Michael wraps it up, they do a bunch of kisses on the cheeks and drop a few “I love you baby’s” on each other.

Overall, these two are nothing short of classy professionals. If there was any business to handle between the two of them, they did it behind closed doors and kept up cheery, friendly appearances for the last show. It was sweet, sentimental and silly, the perfect way to say goodbye to a guy that is really only moving to the show that airs before this one does. There was no drama, and no tears, but an appropriate send-off for a guy that spent just under four years co-hosting the show. The two of them are smart enough to know to stay chipper, keep it light with the tall toilet talk, and share some sincere words to close out the show. Viewers, and potentially all involved, probably let out an “Aww!” while watching. It was a nice good bye, with a hint of sadness but not enough to make your eyes water.
Good luck to Michael with his new gig at GMA and good luck to Kelly on her search for her new co-host! #KeepSmiling