Kelly Ripa absent from Live for a second morning
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Kelly Ripa was absent from Live with Kelly and Michael yet again Thursday, marking her second consecutive absence since it was announced that her co-host, Michael Strahan, is leaving the show in September to become a co-anchor on Good Morning America. The exact reason for Ripa's absence is unclear; the network claims Ripa had a "previously-scheduled vacation" set for Friday and Monday, though it failed to explain her absence Thursday. Others contend it has to do with Ripa feeling blindsided by Strahan's departure, which she was reportedly informed of only minutes before the news was made public.
ABC said in a statement that Strahan will continue to co-host with fill-ins on Friday and Monday.