Why Mario Lopez is the Right Man to Replace Michael Strahan

Publish date: 2024-06-07

Mario Lopez

The scandal of the year broke just last month when the queen of morning talk shows was absolutely blindsided with the fact that her co-host of four years was leaving her behind. Kelly Ripa knows that show business means making personal decisions that are right for you and your life, but she also believes in loyalty and in family. When she found out that her Live co-host Michael Strahan was leaving the morning talk show to become a full-time member of the Good Morning America family, she was hurt. She wasn’t hurt that her longtime friend had this amazing opportunity.

She was hurt that she found out about it when the news came on and that he didn’t tell her himself. Some called her petty and ridiculous, claiming that making $20 million per year to spend an hour chatting with celebrities does not give her the right to feel hurt and betrayed. We disagree. We don’t know the whole story. We don’t know what happened behind the scenes. What we know is that Kelly Ripa and Michael Strahan are friends and not just co-workers, and she has every right to feel hurt that her friend wouldn’t even tell her news like this himself; he let her watch it on national television the same time you and I found out about it.

Call me petty and childish, but I’d be pretty mad to hear something like that from the press and not from someone I call a close friend; especially when the news also affects my life and my job. But, whatever; people see it the way that they want to see it. The simple point is that Michael Strahan is out and it’s time for someone else to come in, and we have heard a few rumors as to whom ABC might tap to fill Strahan’s (very large) shoes when he departs this fall for GMA. Among the men in the running to sit next to the charming Kelly Ripa each morning is our favorite news anchor Anderson Cooper, our favorite celebrity drinking buddy and real housewife pot stirrer Andy Cohen, and our favorite entertainment news correspondent and host Mario Lopez.

While we love them all dearly and without question, we think that there is only one man for the job; Mario Lopez. Andy Cohen simply does not have time to play drinking games late at night with housewives and reality stars. Anderson Cooper is a much more serious journalist, though we adore it when he is a co-host. Mario Lopez, though, is perfect for the job and we have no problem telling you right now, right here, right this second why we think he is the perfect fit for the empty seat next to Ripa.

  • There is always a chance he might take off his shirt and let us ogle his abs.
  • He’s already an entertainment host so he’s good at what he does.
  • He’s good-looking, and who doesn’t want to start their morning with that handsome face?
  • He’s charismatic and charming.
  • He’s entertaining, relatable and he’s funny.

    • You’re welcome, ABC; I’m pretty sure we just made the decision for you.

    Photo by Getty Images

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