Doesn’t it feel like we just replaced Regis Philbin? Man, that search was exhausting.
Here we are, four years later, offering unsolicited advice on who should replace Michael Strahan, Kelly Ripa’s Live! co-host of four years.
Strahan is heading over to Good Morning America, an announcement that blindsided Ripa and made for some very juicy headlines.
After taking a time-out last week to collect herself, Ripa The Peanut assured her audience that all is well with the Live! family and she’s so excited for Strahan.
We half-believe her, but we fully get why she felt duped and left out of a very important club meeting.
So, to make her job easier, we’ve pulled together a list of 16 celebrities worthy enough to sit next to Ripa.
Well, some are worthy. Others are actively seeking employment.
Blake Shelton
Everyone already loves Shelton on ‘The Voice,’ and since we’re stealing talent from different shows, let’s just make it a network war!
Nick Lachey

Lachey has co-hosted Live! on a number of occasions, particularly when Regis Philbin left back in 2012. He remains my first choice to this day.
Dax Shepard

This one is kind of a long shot, but Shepard is so adorable in Samsung’s commercials with wife, Kristen Bell. He’s well-spoken, very funny and a dad, so it’s my belief that the audience will fall in love with his goofy cuteness.
Michael Buble

I dare you to argue with this choice. Imagine turning on Live! and listening to Buble serenade you as you make your coffee. Don’t even get me started on the holiday season…
Common

This guy is sexy as hell and has a way of putting people at ease during a conversation. Me likie.
Mario Lopez

Lopez has proven that he’s a good host, but there’s something slightly dirtbag-ish about the Saved by the Bell star that makes me want to cross him off the list. Still, others may disagree.
John Stamos

Sure, he can be a bit of a narcissist and would probably talk over his guests, but it’s Uncle Jesse. The camera loves him.
LL Cool J

I could see J and Ripa having great on-camera chemistry. He adds an edge to the series without ostracizing certain demographics.
Brian Austin Green

Green needs a job, now that he’ll be a dad for the fourth time. And Ripa can grill him about Beverly Hills, 90210. Win-win, if you ask me.
Joey Fatone

Fatone has managed to stay relevant after NSync disbanded, and he’s proven his on-camera presence as a guest host on several different shows like The Talk and Today.
Taye Diggs

He’s smart, sexy and well-spoken. Yes, please.
Andy Cohen

I personally think Cohen is a little too much for morning talk shows. I also believe his personality is too much like his good friend, Ripa. According to Us Weekly, however, Ripa wants him on the show.
Joe Manganiello

There may not be a lot happening upstairs, but this man makes for wonderful eye candy, which equals ratings.
Ice-T

I love Ice, but my only concern is that he wouldn’t do it without his wife, Coco. Either that or he’d demand she be his co-host when Ripa is off. I’m torn on this one.
Mark-Paul Gosselaar

Watching Zack Morris on daytime television five days a week? Yeah, I’m totally OK with that.
Anderson Cooper

Cooper’s name has been brought up several times as a possible Strahan replacement. I personally think he does better in a newsroom setting.