Kelly Ripa

Well, believe it or not, Ryan Seacrest was actually in need of a new gig after that whole American Idol reboot fell through. So it is, that the ubiquitous host may have found a new Live! gig, replacing Michael Strahan alongside Kelly Ripa.

While Disney and ABC won’t formally announce Kelly Ripa’s permanent co-host until September 4th (when Ripa is expected to walk on stage with her new co-host in tow), but multiple reports this afternoon are naming former NFL star Michael Strahan as the one who will replace Regis Philbin on ‘Live!’

In a selection process that would put ‘The Bachelorette’ to shame, Kelly Ripa has tried out almost 60 possible ‘LIVE!’ co-hosts since Regis Philbin left the show last year. And it looks like she’s finally found her match.

Since Regis Philbin retired from ‘Live!’ back in November of 2011, the show has had rotating co-hosts while producers scrambled to figure out how to replace the venerable Reeg. According to reports, it looks like they may have finally made their decision…

The departure of longtime host Regis Philbin has meant his ‘Live!’ co-host Kelly Ripa will work with a whole cavalcade of guest hosts while a permanent replacement is found. Now four more celebs have signed on, including Jerry O’Connell and singer-actor Josh Groban.

Regis Philbin may be exiting ‘Live!’ in a couple weeks, but Kelly Ripa is staying put. The 41-year-old actress and host, who celebrated a decade with the show in February, just signed a new five-year contract with Disney-ABC Domestic Television that will begin when her current deal expires late next year.