Ryan Seacrest Joins Kelly Ripa On ‘LIVE’

Ryan Seacrest is joining "LIVE" as Kelly Ripa's new cohost — with the former "American Idol" personality finally putting an end to one of morning TV's biggest dramas!

Ryan comes in to replace Michael Strahan, who reportedly made Kelly furious when he fled "LIVE" to go full-time at "Good Morning America." The surprise announcement left Kelly fuming at both her replacement for Regis Philbin and at ABC, since the network owns both shows!

After storming off the show when Michael abruptly announced that he was leaving, Kelly famously returned to make nice — but joked: “I am fairly certain there are trained professional snipers with tranquilizer darts in case I drive too far off message." Now she's used her clout to land Ryan — amid claims that Michael has already worn out his welcome at "GMA!"

“They roll out the carpet for [Strahan] while seasoned talent is treated like dirt," one insider told The ENQUIRER. "He’s been given a lot of opportunity, flexibility, when the others who have been working there longer don’t get that kind of treatment!” Meanwhile, Kelly spent a year looking for her cohost, with Ryan beating out contenders including Fred Savage and Jerry O'Connell — along with Anderson Cooper also being courted for the show.