No More Feud? Kelly Ripa & Michael Strahan Hold Hands On 'Live!' Reunion: 'Our Nightmare Is Over'
On her first morning back on Live! after her bitter boycott, Kelly Ripa put on a united front with her co-host turned nemesis, Michael Strahan.
After making an entrance hand-in-hand with Strahan, who announced last week that he will be leaving Live! for Good Morning America, Ripa immediately addressed the elephant in the room— but thanked fans before her colleagues.
"Guys, our long national nightmare is over," the 45-year-old mother of three told the roaring audience. "I first want to sincerely thank you for welcoming me back to the show. The love, the show of support through this bizarre time has been really overwhelming."
She also explained her absence, commenting: "I needed a couple of days off. After 26 years with this company, I earned the right. In that time I gained some perspective."
Ripa also seemed to confirm rumors that neither Strahan, 44, nor producers clued her in to his sudden departure before he announced it publicly on April 19.
"So what transpired though over the course of a few days has been extraordinary in the sense that it started a much greater conversation about communication and consideration and most importantly, respect in the workplace," she said. "And since we're being honest, I don't consider this a workplace. This is my second home."
In a shocking turn, she then congratulated the football star turned news anchor on his new position.
"I am thrilled for Michael. I am thrilled for you. This is a tremendous opportunity and I couldn't be and we couldn't be prouder of you and everything we accomplished together," she said.
An applauding Strahan wore a wide smile through the greeting.
"I'm so happy you're back," he gushed. "And one thing I know about you is you love this show, you love the fans, you love the staff, I love you. I'm so happy you're here because you bought me here with Seth Gelman, and this show has been transforming for me. And I know the show will move on because you're the queen of morning TV."
The pair then went on to discuss news topics (outside of the show's drama), including Snapchat and Tom Brady's "Deflate-gate."
However, sources revealed to RadarOnline.com this morning that the warm greeting was all for show, and the two colleagues are still on the outs.
"It was all carefully scripted and choreographed. Everything was rehearsed from what they would say to how they would enter and communicate with each other," an insider said. "The script was changed several times. At first she wanted a full on public apology and Michael was not willing to go that far. As far as he is concerned, he was just following orders from his boss."
As RadarOnline.com reported, Ripa was furious after Strahan and show execs blindsided her about the major changes on April 19.
"Kelly sees this as the ultimate betrayal," a source told Page Six. "There's been a total Ripa meltdown."