Kelly Ripa's four-day absence from ABC's "Live with Kelly and Michael" was likely a "power move" over the handling of her co-host's departure, according to an industry watcher.
CNN senior media correspondent Brian Stelter says he believes Ripa skipped four days of the show because she felt disrespected by ABC's television executives, who reportedly informed her of co-host Michael Strahan's departure only 30 minutes before it was publicly announced.
"This was a very unusual situation," Stelter told CTV News Channel on Tuesday. "It goes to show the dynamic between talent and management," he said.
ABC announced after the show last Tuesday that Strahan would be moving over to "Good Morning America" in July. Ripa was reportedly blindsided by the announcement, and did not appear on the next four episodes of the show.
The 45-year-old co-host returned to duty this Tuesday, and addressed her long absence by saying she "needed a couple of days" to gather her thoughts.
"After 26 years with this company, I've earned the right," she said, adding that she didn't want to "say something I might regret."
Ripa also spoke about sparking conversation around communication and "respect in the workplace."
Stetler said “respect” is the key word in Ripa's message, as the change will directly impact her day-to-day job with the show. The network is expected to begin its search for a new co-host in the near future.
Ripa has hosted "Live" since 2001, and previously worked with Regis Philbin. Strahan, a former NFL player, joined the show as Philbin's replacement in 2012.
ABC initially announced that Strahan would be leaving in mid-July, but news broke on Tuesday that his final day has been moved up. He is now expected to leave the show in mid-May.
