I’m surprised how much interest there’s been in the Kelly Ripa and Michael Strahan drama happening at ABC and I’m also surprised at the sheer number of stories about it. There are a massive amount of details coming out. While I was team Kelly yesterday and am still on her side I am starting to get the impression that she’s somewhat petty too. She came out of her townhouse in New York yesterday carrying a copy of Malcolm Gladwell’s David and Goliath, which seems to be a transparent metaphor for her situation with the big bad network. People is reporting that Kelly “jetted off to the Turks and Caicos islands to celebrate her 20th anniversary right after learning that her co-host Michael Strahan was leaving their show,” but this is not supported by paparazzi photos of her outside her townhouse yesterday. She heard Strahan was leaving on Tuesday, so maybe “right after” means the next day.
The Ny Daily News has a very pro-Strahan piece about how he was professional in announcing his exit (remember that he was allegedly under orders not to tell her) and gave her several months’ notice considering that he’s not leaving until the end of the summer. He’s also been trying to contact Kelly, according to a source, but she’s not responding to him at all.
He keeps calling, but she won’t pick up the phone.
Michael Strahan has repeatedly tried to reach out to co-host Kelly Ripa but has been rebuffed, Confidenti@l has learned.
“He’s reached out but there’s been no response,” a source close to the show said.
Strahan shocked Ripa and “Live!” executive producer Michael Gelman Tuesday when he revealed to them in a post-show meeting that he was leaving “Live! With Kelly and Michael” to join “Good Morning America” full time.
“He did the right thing and gave them a lot of notice that he was leaving at the end of the summer,” a second show source said. “He’s been there all week for the staff, she on the other hand has disappeared.”
Ripa — who called out sick Wednesday and then took what a show rep says was a “planned vacation” — looked perfectly healthy as she exited her Upper East Side townhouse clutching a copy of Malcom Gladwell’s “David and Goliath: Underdogs, Misfits and the Art of Battling Giants.”
The NY Daily News also points out that Strahan didn’t attend a scheduled charity co-hosting event Tuesday night for the NYC Food Bank. He did send a video message though. Strahan, 44, was also photographed out with his 27 year-old girlfriend in their workout clothes yesterday. They’ve been dating over a year, and she doesn’t pass the “half his age plus seven” rule by a couple of years.
Strahan appeared yesterday on both Live, co-hosting with Erin Andrews, and Good Morning America, which he’s set to join full time in September. On GMA he credited Kelly with teaching him the ropes and called her “family.” There were rumors that GMA’s Lara Spencer felt shafted by Strahan’s appointment at the show because she was hoping to get a promotion to the position he’s taking as lead anchor. A source denies to E! that Spencer is upset and states “Lara and Michael are very close friends.” People is reporting that Strahan will double his salary by moving to GMA and will be making $20 million a year. Ripa reportedly makes around $15 million at Live.
CNN is reporting that execs plan to test out other co-hosts for Ripa once Strahan leaves this fall and they’re not planning on canceling the show as rumored. I wonder if they’re rethinking that now that Kelly is MIA and her people have talked to just about every outlet.
I think she is being childish and petty. I put up with way more crap on a daily basis at my job and get paid way less. At $15 million a year she should be more professional. Suck it up buttercup. Big girl panties are your friend. And you are doing other professional women no favors by acting like a spoiled brat. I am in no way saying what they did was right, but her response was unprofessional and immature.
Well said! That’s exactly right.
You sound jealous and resentful.
What this has is the smell of is The Old Boy Network, a bunch of old guys in suits, conspiring to keep secrets from a lone women.
A women who was there long before they hired this guy and who fought for him to get hired. A woman who they expect to stay on the show and take any old co-host they decide to throw at her without any advance notice or input.
“Just put on your bra and come to work!”
The old saying, “Knowledge is power” applies here.
And how many of your Male coworkers were secretly promoted over you to take a bigger job and make $5 million more than you?
It’s unfair to compare her situation to yours. Kelly is being shafted by the network, plain and simple. It was unprofessional of the executives to put her in the position of having to react publicly. If she was told when the decisions were being made, if she was included in the conversations, this could have been handled behind the scenes.
I don’t care if she’s being obvious – it is David and Goliath, and she’s rightfully upset about being treated like crap.
I totally agree with you. This whole thing reeks of institutional sexism. That bitch should be grateful! Is such a sad tone deaf response from women conditioned to never ask for respect or equal treatment while they wear their “big girl pants”. Sad to see in 2016
Lemon, +1000
I felt guilty yesterday for asking for gas money from a male friend whom I do a lot of favors for, a lot of which involve driving. Then I was like, why the f*ck do I feel bad for sticking up for myself? Because I’m a woman who’s been taught to shut up and take what comes my way, and screw that. Still 100% team Kelly.
This!
How is it unfair to compare Kelly’s situation to Catwoman’s situation. Just because there is more money involved? Every day, male co-workers get promoted over the women and get bigger salaries in the process. And she doesn’t have to be brought in on it. It would be nice if she were. People get promotions every day without coworkers being privy to it before the deal is done. I’m not saying she shouldn’t be angry, as I was laid off (I’m a retired teacher) one year and teachers (mostly male) that were coaches did not. Was I angry, sure, as it’s human nature. Was she going after the same job he received? Did he go to the producers of GMA or did they come to him? Taking a day or two off to cool down, no biggie. For those getting on her for calling in sick and she wasn’t, get over that. People do that every day. But if she is not going to do the show (as it is rumored) because he didn’t tell her in advance, then that is wrong.
@ Thinker while I agree this was very unprofessional of how the network executives handled this situation and Kelly is being shafted here, her reaction has played right into the script the executives are creating here.
And I’m sorry unless Michael Strahan did something wrong in this situation, ghosting him is CHILDISH. I would call a man childish before anyone accuses me of being sexist. Threatening to not come back until Michael is gone is CHILDISH. She is being highly unprofessional here. Does she have a right to be upset? Of course. Would this happen to a man? Probably not. Ask yourself why it doesn’t to men. It’s because of how women are viewed: highly emotional, prone to outbursts, being diva like… etc. What Kelly did this week played right into that narrative.
I have had about four male co workers promoted over me and I didn’t blame them for decisions my employers made.I finally decided to move to another company.Kelly’s employers blindsided her.So I believe she is being childish for not responding to Michael calls.I guarantee at some point in her career she was asked by a producer,studio etc not to discuss a role or job until they gave her the OK.
Yes, she may have been shafted but acting like this isn’t helping. She appears petty & over emotional which just plays in to management’s narrative. She needs to take the high road & act like a professional.
2 words = breach of contract. I don’t care if ABC sucks and they were wrong (true) however she has a contract and she has to honor that contract. If she continues this embargo it would mean a lawsuit against her. Unless ABC promised her a promotion that never materialized, the court would side with the company.
She should see what happened to stars who got sued for breach of contract. Their careers never recovered. Unfortunate but a reality.
Agree 1000%. Team Kelly.
I get what you’re saying and I don’t disagree but I am SO tired of the way Kelly’s “behavior” has been written about vs. Michael’s. It reeks of such transparent sexism. Kelly is the brat and Michael is the professional, charming, goofball. I’m not directing this at you but you are the first comment on this post and it’s 8am… so, I’ll leave it right here. 😉
But what did he do wrong?
EXACTLY. Jesus Chris it’s so obvious. How many times over the years have we suddenly heard a commentary on how a man spends his money and how he’s been overspending anyway?
@SilkyMalice – it’s not that he did anything wrong. I don’t think ABC handled the switch properly and I don’t blame that on Michael. However, it’s strange to pose that question when it isn’t necessary to blame EITHER party. Why make him seem angelic and immediately slot Kelly into the “devil” role? Why can’t they both be flawed, layered, human beings who are dealing with change in a very human and real way? Why is it that SHE is written about as a shrew, a diva, a brat, etc? It’s so reductive and offensive.
It’s not what Michael did wrong, it’s what the network did wrong. When Michael started doing GMA segments, Kelly specifically asked whether she should be worried. The network execs told her no, and that Michael’s GMA gig was “temporary.” This is all from the NYT, so I trust the source.
Plus, remember that Kelly was only told 15 minutes before Regis announced his retirement. In other words, she’s played by the rules for years and years and keeps getting shafted. I don’t blame her for trying to switch tactics.
On most sites Michael is the “villain”,he is being called jerk,traitor,etc.
Hear Hear!!! He was offered a different job and he accepted it. People move on to other jobs.
I always think it’s interesting how women come out and essentially say, “Well it sucks for me so it has to suck for you too! Grow up!”
Well okay, let’s all just continue in this cycle of sucking while men get paid more than us, promoted faster than us, and given more respect than us.
It’s fun right?
+10000
Nailed it.
I know, I’ve been in this exact situation recently…and let me tell you it’s bewildering, frustrating and depressing as hell.
Side-eye, great comment.
I’m a believer in respect and walked away from a VERY good salary because after 10+ years the BS was crazy and as a result I empathize with her and how this was handled. BUT at this point she is really coming off as a diva and needs to remember professionalism.
She’s on vacation. Since when are you obligated to talk to co-workers when you’re on vacation?
We’re basically talking about someone being unhappy about work news, taking off for vacation a couple of days early and turning off their phone. Perhaps the unprofessional side is the one that’s leaking everything in a desperate attempt to save their hide?
And bam there it is!! The worst offense Kelly has done is not talk to her coworker or employer on vacation! Which I know in America is unheard of but really pretty common other places.
I doubt she is ghosting him as much as thinking I’m on vacation buddy I’m not dealing with this.
Exactly. I sure as hell don’t want to talk to coworkers when I’m off with my family; and in this situation, I would definitely need the downtime/break.
Bridget, yaaaas.
She’s being extremely childish. Michael is leaving in the summer so this announcement was made months in advance and is giving her time to adapt to the fact that he’s leaving and she’s getting a new co-host. If they had told her any sooner she probably would’ve been all upset still and refused to go to work and then the news of Michael leaving would’ve leaked before they were ready to announce it. Kelly doesn’t seem like she’s an easy person to work with so I’m not shocked that they went about everything this way. She needs to grow up tbh. She should return to work Monday and act professionally
How would you feel if you ASKED YOUR BOSS if this was a possibility and they said no. Then they gave you the announcement that your show, where you have worked tirelessly for 15 years, was changing, and you weren’t even given the respect of a real meeting or any discussions about the change. And this is the SECOND time its happened.
It’s not about Michael. It’s about ABC disrespecting Ripa as a valued, longtime employee.
@anna she is on a scheduled vacation until or through Tuesday! She needs to cut this short because the handling of this by the network is causing problems for ABC and Michael.
Michael wouldn’t have any issues at all if he would shut up and not leak stories! But he can’t help himself! Up until he started leaking stuff the man did nothing wrong only the network but once he started leaking he added to the problem.
I agree with you both – she is being extremely childish and this is about ABC disrespecting Ripa by not telling her in advance. But then, reading up thread that they also didn’t tell her until just 15 minutes before Regis retired makes me think maybe they expected this from her? Do they not tell her because she is unreasonable or does she behave unreasonably because they don’t tell her things? Regardless – how does she expect to come back from this? He’s on the show for months longer, is she just going to vacation until then? She would have been smarter to show up the next day, voice her hurt and disenchantment and make everyone look like insensitive jerks as she bemoans her broken heart. Instead she did this and now she looks like a jerk too. Bad move, Ripa.
@Hannah – Yesterday I posted that I didn’t blame Kelly for taking a mental health day to deal with and process what went down. But if it’s the network that is done her dirty here (by which I mean the whole process of institutionalized sexism, and which pervades lots of other industries too), punishing Michael isn’t an appropriate response.
OMG and you believe everything management tells you orally? Really unless it’s written somewhere in a memo, all bets are off.
Omg. I don’t believe how some people are saying it’s sexism now. Uh. No. Just because she’s female doesn’t mean GMA wanted Michael because he’s a male and solely for that reason. It’s because he’s worked on GMA weekly for the past few years. Ripa hasn’t. Michael fits in with the GMA cast. Maybe Ripa doesn’t. Maybe Ripa doesn’t want to wake up earlier to do the GMA show in which she’d be part of an ensemble rather than the star of her own show. And there are already female group members at GMA, so it’s not an all-male club over there.
So big boo-hoo that Ripa wasn’t hired over at GMA. By this ‘sexism’ standard, then would that mean if she was hired but not Michael, then that’s racism? Come on guys.
And no, in corporate America, not everything is discussed openly with your colleagues about your own promotions and projects. That’s not how it’s done. It’s not, ‘Run to Ripa and tell her everything about your life and career or else she’ll have a hissy fit.’
Michael gave her FIVE MONTHS notice, not two weeks, not one day. Yet some people are saying he ‘blindsided’ her or didn’t give her enough heads up notice? Really? FIVE MONTHS is MORE THAN PLENTY enough time.
Ripa, welcome to the bigger world in which not every bit of negotiations and promotions have to go through you in order to happen and be approved of.
Yeah, I really don’t get this sexism narrative. First of all, no one knows what’s happening. Full Stop. And this is the same kind of shit that NBC did to Letterman and then Conan, so I don’t automatically see sexism in this issue.
Problem is, Jobs CAN suck. Bosses CAN tell you one thing and then three months later change things. THIS HAPPENS ALL THE TIME TO REAL PEOPLE IN THE REAL WORLD. I’ve had four different bosses over the last year, and was shifted to a completely new division with all new supervisors-GASP! without them asking me! GASP! without adequate notification!
Did I stop going to work because that made me feel bad? Uh, no. Because I’m a professional, and otherwise I am compensated very well. I dealt with it. She should too.
Well said. And I don’t understand why everyone is dragging Regis into this. The man retired! He didn’t move on to a bigger gig. He also stayed on for half a year after his retirement. How did he leave “stab her in the back?” He was pretty old at that point. Did she think he would work until they cart him out in a coffin? Let’s be realistic. If you’re an employee, you’re on a “as need to know basis.” Management (shitty ones too) don’t owe employees anything and they don’t need to spill their guts to the employee.
It’s not sexism. Poor management yes but no one is entitled to know managerial decisions. Your coworkers don’t have to give you a heads up either.
I think you’ve missed the point. No one ever said Kelly wanted a job at GMA, there was no indication she was trying to leave. It’s not sexist because they hired Michael at GMA instead of her. It’s sexist because she’s not being treated with a level of respect fitting for the position she’s already in, one she’s been in for 15 years. As other posters have said, she has seniority but she’s being treated like an intern or an assistant. The rhetoric being used in all of these leaked reports also smacks of sexism– talking about her as if she’s some little girl who doesn’t deserve to know what’s going on, essentially saying she’s a princess living expensively so she can’t leave the show. It’s sexist and it sucks. Please don’t dismiss a completely valid argument because you see the word “sexism” and immediately want to jump to “um no you’re being too politically correct lalala shut up,” without even getting all of the facts first.
Thank you Shambles.
@anon33, right? It happens.
She’s being treated in accordance with her negotiated contract. THAT, is what defines what she’s entitled to. If her contract doesn’t define her right to know what other contract negotiations are occurring with LIVE staff member, she has no such right. She’s not owed anything more.
@ Shambles
Where is the evidence that they didn’t let her in on Michael’s private and personal negotiations with his bosses because she’s a woman?
It’s not any of her business. Period.
Also, she’s not a senior executive with ABC. She’s a co-host on a tv talk show who has no control over her co-host because she doesn’t own him. Tough luck if at corporate America, co-workers aren’t involved in private and personal discussions on other co-workers’ careers. That’s not reality and she has no claim to do that nor expect it to be so.
He has a third job at Fox as a sports analyst as well as other non-Live jobs throughout his lifetime and his 4-year stint on Live. Should Ripa be involved in these discussions as well? Is he never allowed to leave Live because she feels she owns his life and career? She’s not relevant to such personal aspects of his life or to any part of it.
Michael has been working on GMA for years. So it’s not like a move out of nowhere. And even if it was, there’s absolutely no reason why she should be in on the conversations during negotiations as she doesn’t own Michael and his career. She’s not his owner, not his boss, not his agent, not anything but a co-worker.
Why are people assuming she wants the GMA gig for herself? Those morning shows are GRUELING. Up at something like 3:45 every single weekday, into hair and makeup and then on at 6:00? Kelly makes a crap load of money in a cushy job with awesome hours. She’s got it made.
Strahan, on the other hand, I never got the impression he was thrilled with the Live gig. Totally not his audience.
It’s immaterial that she makes $15 million a year. If she made $75/hour (way more than most American women) should she still just sit down and take it? If she makes $9/hour, is it ok to watch while your employer treats you like crap? What’s the magic cut-off where it’s ok to stand up and say hey! you can’t do that to me?
When that kind of money is involved, just don’t take it personal! He DOUBLED his yearly earnings..by ten million. I’m sure he legally couldn’t say a word. She knows how that world works. She will come around.
I agree that she knows how this stuff works. So I think she could have been told maybe a few hours before everyone else, at the least. I don’t think she would have said something on social media or anything until the information was made public.
The whole thing is petty and overhyped, IMO.
Yes. And all that “it’s sexism if you call her petty” is annoying, too. She’s being petty and unprofessional. End of. People called Matt Lauer everything but a child of god in the Ann Curry fiasco. (He acted like a donkey and was rightly called out.)
Just to point out what I see as sexism, note that Matt Lauer was not only in the loop in terms of Anne’s career, but actively making decisions about it. Kelly, on the other hand, was kept in the dark, because it’s “none of her business.”
Wasn’t Regis pushed out the door by ABC with not a lot of support from Kelly? It is kind of similar – they tossed him b/c of his salary and age. So this isn’t really about sexism – it’s bad management and their quest for ratings.
The question is who is leaking all of this. Why do we know she took off early?
If everyone was acting professionally, we wouldn’t know any of this.
I think Michael Strahan needs to pause. Crap can change direction at anytime.
Everyone involved needs to shut up. If she doesn’t return from her vacation, then it is petty bullsht
Again I just can’t get over how the network and the press are treating her like a bitter assistant. Like she’s the second string co-chair. She’s the headliner-its the Kelly and Michael show on all the press and merch. Not the Michael and Kelly show
To be fair – she’s the first name because of seniority – period.
It was Live with Regis and Kathie-Lee, then she left and it became Live with Regis an Kelly – Regis left, so it became Live with Kelly. Once they’d found a co-star it became Live with Kelly and Michael. It’d have been stupid to have put his name first on a show previously called Live with Kelly.
She got shafted, sure. But here’s the thing – plenty of people get shafted at work and still show up to their job. They don’t ignore their costar who likely had a contractual agreement not to leak the news.
Does anyone REALLY care about Kelly at this point? I mean this purely from a financial/business standpoint. Kelly isn’t as big of a draw as she was ten years ago. Yes, she’s everywhere – but that’s how the business works. You’re popular and a hot commodity for a while, and after a while, people often get phased out. It’s a risk you’re taking by being in the entertainment field. I just don’t see Kelly Ripa being the kind of attraction that she once was.
Honestly though, I’m at work while their show is on. I figure the main audience is either people with vastly different shifts than myself- likely middle aged women, stay at home moms, that kind of stuff. So yeah, it makes sense to me that Michael, a very good looking, charming guy is a draw. There’s nothing WRONG with Kelly, but I can see why he jumped up the ranks. Kelly can be grating – anyone with that amped up, tightly wound personality gets on my nerves, man or woman.
The network treated her like shit. People get treated that way every day. Alienating your coworkers isn’t going to help things.
Erinn: Everything you said.
Yes Erinn I agree.
@Scal – Yes. It’s not like they’re 9-5ers and he didn’t tell his coworker down the hall he’s leaving. She is the lead. Their jobs are intertwined. It’s unprofessional for everyone to let her get blindsided.
How do you guys figure that a FOUR months notice is being blindsided? What would suffice? A year? And why do you think it would have been professional on the network and Michael’s behalf to say anything before the deal was done??
It doesn’t matter when he’s leaving. The issue is that they didn’t give her the courtesy of telling her before it was announced publicly. If they were afraid it would leak then they’re essentially saying she’s not trustworthy.
And we don’t know the office dynamics on that one. Don’t get me wrong, management could have handled it better but at the end of the day, you’re obligated to do your job = because of your contract.
What if she is using all of this to negotiate getting a raise or getting another job? Or to keep the show she is on from being canceled?
I am not on either team
Same here. Someone will end up laughing all the way to the bank after all this publicity. When has this show (Live) ever been talked about this much, in the past decade?
The Network is trying to reframe this as Michael v. Kelly, when the reality is it’s Network v. Kelly.
^This. Strahan was told to keep it under wraps. He followed orders. Disney is pulling all the strings here –
Yes, because they probably anticipated she would respond in just this way.
I agree with you. It’s the Network and the way they mishandled this whole situation.
I’m not going to bully Kelly for taking a stand against men who are treating her — the marquee name on that show — as an intern. No, ma’am.
If I were her, I would only return when he is gone and I would also let them know that I will be hand-picking my next co-host, and getting a raise.
Then you would swiftly be out of a job for breaking the contract that requires you to show to work.
Vauvert: exactly my thought when I read that. She is an employee of a network; star header or not. She is not acting professionally; blindsided or not.
She lobbied for him to get that job.
Yeah. That’s what Melissa Harris-Perry tried to do and what did that get her? A pink slip. No one is indispensable. Kelly should know that.
That could work IF Kelly owned Disney; otherwise, it’s unrealistic. My understanding is that the show is not doing that well to begin with so it’s not as if she has clout to handpick her next host.
Show is doing really well and has had continued ratings success since Regis left I believe. I know it’s better then GMA.
Some of you need a reality check. The show IS her. There is no show without her and her ratings have gotten better since Regis…she has power. I have no interest in seeing her torn down because some bratty execs wanted to bring her to heel.
And Melissa Parry? Really! She did not have the seniority or media clout that Kelly Ripa has. Please….
That’s what they said about Farrah Fawcett when she tried to break her contract. This is what she will essentially be doing if she refuses to report to work after her vacation. Aaron Spelling took her to court and the smear job was done. Fawcett lost momentum in her career.
The other cheek is, ABC can cancel the show altogether. I’m sure they have have options and they will be having their cake and eating it too.
This is reality. Sorry to say.
The show is her? I have no interest in seeing her torn down either, but it doesn’t look good for her show and doesn’t look like she has much power.
Hahahah good one. And that breach of contract suit will be served on her faster than a NY minute. Sorry a contract is a contract. She has no negotiation room to stay away until Michael leaves. Unless she’s a producer on the show, she has no say in who they hire as a replacement either. I think during the casting before they hired Michael, there was strong sentiment (from her camp?) that they hire her husband.
Network sucks but she’s not any better.
I thought Prince’s passing would extinguish the fire of this story. She’s obviously furious and hurt, but she’s acting like a diva. She came on the show pregnant and only known from a soap opera. She is now making a lot of money and known worldwide. There is a resolution to every situation and this one will be no different. I hope for her sake, she cools down and takes this opportunity to forge ahead. The Kelly Show! Anderson would be a perfect cohost, as would her husband, whom people seem to like.
I can’t get all indignant about this, either. She has a job many of us would love and a salary we can only dream of. But she has to remember – she’s an employee. If she wants more control she needs to negotiate a better contract or start her own company. And is she offended that she wasn’t told in advance that he’s leaving (and was given a promotion) OR that she wasn’t given the opportunity he received?
Omg I’m so sick of anytime a woman expresses their opinion or displeasure with a situation they are labeled a diva!! She isn’t behaving like a diva! She took some time off early before a vacation, big deal. Did it possibly embarrass the network? Maybe but she has been loyal to them for 20+ years and they are treating her like garbage so I say go her!
This could have been a non story if ABC and now Michael wasn’t leaking nasty, sexist and frankly untrue stuff about her. She hasn’t said a word or leaked a thing she is reading a book! Big deal who knows why she is reading it or for how long. Maybe it’s to win at this, maybe to send a message or maybe she thought it would be interesting.
One thing for sure she isn’t behaving like a DIVA and calling women that when they don’t sit down, shut up and smile is sexist.
Amen.
To be fair, Regis was pushed out the door and remained professional until his very last day. I also don’t think Kelly stood up for him at that time so it’s not about genders but professionalism.
Exactly. If a man did the same thing we’d call him a baller and praise him for standing up for himself.
Didn’t they trot out Regis yesterday to say congratulations to Strahan? Yep, that’s professional up to the very end…
K: the dictionary defines a diva as someone who is temperamental or haughty. I think she fits the description. IMO she is acting like a spoiled brat. I can’t feel pity for someone making that kind of coin for talking to celebs. I’m done commenting on her. I watched the show a couple of times and Michael was the only interesting person on it.
@Nancy how is she behaving that way though? I mean honestly? Is she mad maybe we don’t actually know because she hasn’t said anything. She is the only one who hasn’t spoken. She is on vacation to celebrate 20 years of being married, did she take time off early? Yep but that could have been for a million reasons, probably because she is pissed but maybe her kid got sick, maybe something happened at her house and she needed to deal with it before vacation. Maybe she just felt really unorganized for the trip and needed more time and used her sick days.
But as of now she hasn’t spoken about anything she hasn’t refused to come into work passed her vacation, she hasn’t tweeted or instagram, and we don’t know if she really isn’t”ghosting” Michael. But if she is let’s be real she is on vacation and it’s not diva behavior to say I don’t want to talk to work people on vacation.
So please explain how she is acting like a diva by taking a vacation? And this idea that because she is making a lot of money so we should just ignore the fact she is being treated in a sexist and degrading manner is disturbing. I’m actually concerned about the attitude.
K: I have strombolli in my oven and friends coming over for lunch, but….I didn’t want to be rude and not address your opinion. I really don’t care that much about Kelly or Michael personally. I’m sure things will work out as they’re supposed to. I’m all for girl power, so I hope Kelly comes out on top. Have a good weekend and I’m sure we’ll all be back Monday for more debates! 🙂
@SloaneY – Regis did that on his own and it’s not a secret that he was upset with Kelly and felt a lack of support when he was pushed out by ABC. So it was a very purposeful comment by Regis. From his view he must be thinking karma.
#kellynodiva
I agree with the comments about how wrong it is that Michael is being made out to be the professional and Kelly the petty one. If your boss tells you not to say something to a peer and you know it wrong….as this obviously was… you tell them. And you tell your boss you are going to tell them. That you are going to handle this with honesty because that is how your boss would want you to treat them. I am speaking from experience in multiple experiences and when you make it about morality and how your boss wants you to behave with them, they are backed into a corner and have to agree. While I don’t know for sure it doesn’t seem like Michael even tried to do the right thing. Michael chose to lie to Kelly. He had other options.
Kelly was wronged and she was marganilized by her boss.
^^ Agreed.
Or ABC could tell him to hit the rode and have a nice life. He isn’t obligated to do anything for Kelly. I was in a similar situation not too long ago. I was in talks to get a much better job and pay but I wasn’t allowed to tell my current co-workers. When the news finally broke, my co-workers wished me nothing but the best and they showed up to work the following morning. Welcome to the real world. THIS happens all the time. What doesn’t happen all the time is the hissy fit that follows.
But was their job interconnected and dependent on your job? Did they have to go on television and get dissected directly afterwards? Did your new job entirely affect how their jobs would continue?
This is not co-workers at the bank or the grocery store. The comparison is apples to elephants.
I don’t work at a grocery store or a bank but Yes my job directly affected their job. When I left, they had to oversee the work that I was doing and complete it too. So not only did they have to do their work but they also had to complete my work as well without getting a penny more. And I don’t want to hear the excuses…she gets paid a ton of money, in the millions. Just go on the show, address the issues and move on…like a professional is supposed to do. Right now she is acting like a child.
No offense, but your employers sound just as crappy as ABC. Giving you a raise and moving you on while leaving your co-workers to finish their work along with yours and not compensating them for the extra work. I bet if they knew they were going to be on television and had to congratulate you knowing they were getting left with all your unfinished business and not getting paid for it it wouldn’t have gone so smoothly. Or maybe it would and they would just *itch about the situation behind your back.
It doesn’t matter how much she makes.
+1 same
Like others have pointed out, Kathie Lee went on air after she found out her husband was cheating. She was a professional. I’ve also heard Michael and Kelly weren’t getting along, why would he give her ammunition to use against him? How can he trust her? She seems to enjoy hosting the show, I don’t get why she’s so upset? Get another Co-anchor.
@Sloaney I’m finding it hard to understand why Kelly couldn’t go on the air the following morning and just congratulate Michael. Like why is it hard to do that? Why is it so hard for some people to just be happy for others? You sound just like Kelly. Bitter that someone else got a better job so you’re going to throw a tantrum as a result because the world didn’t fall to your feet and tell you before anyone else. She gets paid millions and yes it does matter because she sure wasn’t complaining about anything or throwing a tantrum when ABC was cutting her checks. Kelly has been in this business for 15+ years. She should start acting like it.
Not bitter at all. I’m happy for people that move on, but not when they leave with others holding the bag and leaving unfinished business for someone else to do. When I left my last job I helped management find my replacement, trained them, and even came back after I left to cover for my replacement for a planned vacation. Because I didn’t want to leave my co-workers in the lurch. Your post disturbed me because you almost seemed proud that you left and other people had to do your work and not get paid for it. That’s just not how I roll. Karma.
The difference here is that Kelly and Michael ARE THE SHOW. They pointedly told her when Michael started working part time on GMA that it was just temporary. They left her out of meetings which directly affected her job. They didn’t tell her until 20 minutes before it was publicly announced about HER OWN SHOW. She deserved more of a heads up. It’s just respectful.
Sloaney he’s leaving in October. That’s plenty of time to find a new host to work with her so everything you’ve said is pointless after that because your reasoning is that they should have told her so she has time to find a new host to work with and finish business. 4 months notice is more than enough time. However now that’s not going to happen because of her actions. They’ll just can her show and she’ll have nothing.
And where was I proud that I left my co-workers to do my work? My start date was on a certain date and the company didn’t find a replacement by then. So of course after I left my position my co-workers had to the work. Waiting around wasn’t an option because then the company would have given the position I wanted to someone else. This is how the real world works. It isn’t all sunshine and rainbows and everyone isn’t going to go out of their way to please everyone. However your actions in certain situations determines a lot of things. What exactly does Kelly gain by acting the way she is? In contrast, think about what Kelly would have gained had she just shown up to work, congratulated Michael and then began looking for her new co-worker.
I think Michael did the right thing following ABC’s rules, you need to do that. The issue isn’t with him until he started leaking stuff to make himself look better. The issue is with how the network handled the situation.
The entire thing lies with the network.
Well I guess some people are willing to be reprimanded if management orders you not to disclose and you challenge them. That is insubordination. You were told to keep it to yourself and not only do you challenge that but you’re telling you’re boss you’re going to do it because your co-worker is your friend.
Again reprecussions. Career reprecussions. At the end of the day, everyone has to protect their own backside. It’s nice to look after a co-worker but not against management’s orders. Unless you’re the boss, that’s a pretty big duty you’re expecting people to swallow.
I completely disagree with this. Kelly is a colleague, not his very best friend. Why should he put his own burgeoning career in jeopardy for her? He may even have spoken up, for all we know, and gotten shut down. After a certain point, you have to go with the flow when you’re not the boss if you want to continue to have a job (much less a promotion!). Strahan did nothing wrong. The bad guy in this situation is ABC.
This isn’t a catfight. This is a network not showing a senior employee as much respect as she deserved. She clearly doesn’t have much clout behind the scenes. My view is that she probably should work behind the scenes on boosting her clout formally in the future rather than making this type of media splash (the diva/shrew headlines write themselves). I get her anger, but this strategy is bad.
I think it’s all just manufactured drama to get more interest in the show
My issue isn’t really with Strahan, he got a great offer and he took it. My issue is with the network ordering him not to tell her specifically, and then THEM not telling her. SOMEONE should have told her. They put her in the position of having to react publicly (which I don’t think they would have done to a man in her position) and then rolled a bus over her with bullshit stories about her spending habits (which I found to be incredibly sexist and without any supporting facts or evidence.)
I don’t blame her for reacting with a “I don’t need this” attitude after the shit they pulled. Is she being extremely professional? No. But, I don’t believe the network was either and I have found the tone to be incredibly sexist.
But they did tell her. He is not leaving for months yet. I honestly don’t see what the big deal is.
Thank you Silky Malice. I am going to get off this thread because people are just not listening to reason. She got a whopping four months notice. Her show and job are secure by all accounts. Who the heck gets that amount of notice that their co-worker is leaving??? It has nothing to do with respect, we share the news once the agreement has been signed.
I think it was the not telling her before they leaked it to the press, I think it was the way it was handled. I think him making her wait 20 minutes for him to bother to show up to a meeting, then proving the network will dismantle her show without a plan for another show that doesn’t do as well in the ratings and don’t respect here enough to let her know it’s a possibility is what is upsetting.
This happens and I think had they handled this differently and shown Kelly they respect her and what she has brought (which is frankly more then him) it wouldn’t be an issue.
I don’t either. He’s not going to jeopardize his opportunity and he shouldn’t. It’s the nature of the business. She has plenty of time to regroup.
Giving someone 4 months notice in PRIVATE vs. her finding out right when the public finds out is not the same thing. He essentially gave the public a 4 month notice. To find out, yet again, with the public has to hurt.
She found out when the rest of the crew and staff there did, as well as the media and public. I don’t think that’s fair. They have a working partnership as the leads of the whole show, I think she deserved to be notified before everyone else.
That said, I don’t blame her for taking an extra day to regroup and cool down before her vacation, but I think she needs to return to the show after her trip. To not do so would be unprofessional and break her contract.
I don’t get it either, silky malice. It’s not like she doesn’t have notice. To me, this comes across as she’s so special, she should have known. And I don’t agree that if she was a man, it would have went down differently. I think the network was trying to avoid leaks. Get over yourself, Kelly.
Perhaps I should as well, vauvert, because I’ve agreed with every syllable you’ve written.
@anon@jjrox
I agree with both your comments, it wasn’t fair to put her out there like that then adding other stories about her which seem irrelevant. She is the other half of the show, not the cameraman so he owed her that much. He was going to leave anyway so it’s just common courtesy, if anything he should have put his big boy pants, speak up to the bosses to let them know what the right thing should’ve been. It is always so easy to blame women and I bet if it was the other way around she would still be dragged in a negative way and he’ll be looking a victim. I don’t care for either one just calling it as I see it.
And so what if she was a soap opera actress before? He was an athlete I didn’t know anything about and just had that charisma. Neither one was so famous before IMO so making a comment about her previous job is out if content
The problem is she has to sit next to a man for four months that she feels extremely betrayed by and smile
I just for not one second believe this issue would have happened this way if she were a man and frankly if this is how it has to go down for networks and businesses to stop underestimating and mistreating women then oh well.
Not everything is always about playing nice and smiling and placating and being the ‘big girl’.
I have NEVER seen rumors released this quickly about anyone on such a personal level because of a professional scuffle. I have NEVER seen it suddenly brought out how it’s all secretly the person’s fault because they overspend anyway. They would never do this on this level to a man and it is because they felt Kelly could and would simply sit down, shut up and smile while they moved things around without telling her.
Women always complain how we don’t get attention and respect for issues that effect us but we are always trying to find a way to play fair and be nice while others make noise, cause scenes and have their issues given attention while ours do not. I am tired of that. If something has not worked in the past then it is time to change it. If this absence by Kelly makes a network behave more carefully around women then it’s worth it. Let the network figure out who to put on that stage daily without her while the public attention crushes them.
Like some commenters have pointed out , this is the most attention this show has had in years. I also think a big name co host has been picked already but just as in this case of Michael Strahan not being able to say anything , it is the case with this unnamed new co host. What better way to drum up interest in a show than a little backstage drama?
Kelly went through the same thing when Regis suddenly announced he was leaving and I can not recall such a over the top reaction from her. Maybe the new co host is requesting top billing over Kelly? There is more to this story
I believe she has final say on who her cohost is
There was a question above- “what did Micheal do wrong?”
The answer is nothing. He did as told by his bosses.
The “wrong ” is this manufactured drama between Micheal and Kelly. It is repugnant that we, as a society, are still reducing women, people, to this level.
The question should be “what did the network do wrong?” to which there are a multitude of answers.
I don’t think Kelly is a very nice person. That being said if the genders were reversed she wouldn’t be treated this way. We’ve had to many instances of blatant sexism in the entertainment industry to forget that.
I can’t with the people on here who are saying that the media is painting Michael as the professional and Kelly as the diva. They’re not doing anything. They’re reporting what’s happening and what’s currently happening is making Michael look professional and Kelly look like a diva. I’m honestly confused why this is a big deal. THIS happens ALL the time. Heck it just recently happened with me. I got a better job and a raise but I wasn’t allowed to tell my co-workers until everything fell through. And yes I’m a female who wasn’t allowed to tell my male co-workers so this whole of the genders were reversed it would have been different is ridiculous. Not everything is sexism. There are reasons why things like this happen that have absolutely nothing to do with gender. Michael wasn’t allowed to tell Kelly until everything fell through. Imagine had he told her before and then he ended up not leaving because a contract couldn’t be negotiated. Based on how Kelly is behaving now, I highly doubt she would have been okay with him staying on the show. Welcome to life Kelly. Grow up and realize that the world doesn’t revolve around you and your demands.
Did your co workers find out you got promoted via the newspapers? Did anyone contact the media and say your co workers shouldn’t complain because they can’t afford to quit?
They got notified via a company email. And my co-workers don’t get paid in the millions. Stop with the excuses. Kelly gets paid millions of dollars. She needs to start acting like a professional instead of a child.
I just don’t understand why it’s such a huge deal they didn’t tell her. Of course I’d be upset in her position, hosting half of the show. But if they did tell her before hand… what would’ve changed? It’s not like Kelly had any hand in deciding when Michael would stay or leave.
Kelly has reasons to be upset, but threatening to not come back until Michael leaves is so childish. I think what ABC did saying she was a diva with crazy spending habits was even worse, though.
Everyone is coming off as unlikeable here and I don’t understand why that is happening because, eh, this is a morning talk show? You’re supposed to be as vanilla and nice as possible?
Josefina I agree that what ABC is leaking is unprofessional. And look I get that Kelly is upset but what exactly would have changed had they told her before? And as I’ve stated imagine had they told her and then a contract didn’t go through which does happen. And then what? I’ll tell you one thing had Kelly just shown up to work addressed the issue she would have come out on top. But now everyone just sees her throwing a hissy fit.
Thank you!
I’ve always loved morning talk show scandals. A huge one seems to blow up every 4 or so years. I used to think it was just a local thing but apparently it happens in every country.
It’s just so funny seeing this people be all sunny and smiley when you just KNOW they all absolutely detest each other behind the cameras.
As I sit in my polyester golf-style work shirt, I’m Finding it difficult to give s sh*t over these 1%ers ……
I definitely think there is an amount of sexism involved but there have been male writers on hit TV shows who have been fired the day they show up for work. Or people who have arrived at work to find the locks have been changed. It isn’t fair but networks are often not fair.
She’s been given 4 months notice and her reaction leads me to believe that she has other issues with the network.
Her antics with the book is juvenile and serves no purpose. A purpose would have been served if she showed up for work and began to restructure her brand. She has leverage but she isn’t using it wisely.
She is thinking with her heart and not with her head in a situation where hurt feelings don’t matter. Of course ABC is going to smear her once the battle began. It’s unfair but I’m sure Kelly has seen how this can be played from the inside. She’s been there for 15 years and has seen people come and go, she’s been there for meetings.
Frankly I think Michael is fitting a much needed demographic in order to get higher premiums for commercials. The morning show format for the target audience for advertisers is probably waning and they decided to try to boost ratings for GMA.
She needs to consider her long term career beyond Live and not just what she has at the moment.
You should represent her.
I work in a corporate job, where somthing like this happens every few years. The company re-invents itself and some people are in and some people are out. Managing these transitions are part of you skill set, if you want some longevity.
Frankly, I’m surprised that Kelly doesn’t have a little more game. She’s kind of played into their hands….
She called out sick. It isn’t like she just didn’t show up. Is there anyone here who hasn’t called out for a mental health day?
No not here there isn’t. The majority of the posters here have never made a misstep, ever. They know how to behave in any situation, social or personal. They always have their hair just right, their clothing exact, their shoes and make up and jewelry are absolutely the very best for the time, the place and the occasion. And they always have the perfect pedicure.
They are the consummate professionals, they put on their ” big girl panties ” and never succumb to the pettiness that celebs seem to.
Must be exhausting, to know so much about absolutely everything. Good thing they can sit behind their keyboards and critique the rest of the world.
And don’t forget to SMILE!
@ Original Kay…I’ve made plenty of mistakes in my life, some on a professional but more on a personal level. I often leave the house looking like a train wreck, I don’t wear heels and I have been extremely petty… it’s from this experience that I speak… Kelly has played right into ABC’s narrative about her.
@Kiredwolf: first she left early for vacation, now it’s she took a mental health day after she was spotted in NYC on Wednesday… which is it?
Putting on your big girl pants an never letting anyone see you cry is a part of business.
I can’t list the amount of times I have to deal with hard issues at work and just had to wait to deal with it later.
Kelly has enough experience to the network doesn’t care about her opinion. Reality is hard and unless she is willing to do something to change her situation she will have to go to work on Tuesday.
I’ve called out sick but not after a kerfuffle. Definitely would’ve sent management a message that my emotions rule me and not the other way around.
I don’t know how you could be pro kelly when she is being so unprofessional. People find her annoying. She’s upset because she didn’t get a promotion. She’s not taken seriously enough to be on GMA. Get over it kelly.
I am a fan of Kelly but I have lost some respect for her due to how she has behaved over the last few days.I’m not sure I will watch the show when she returns.Very disappointed.
ABC is playing this ALL WRONG. What on earth are they thinking, leaking this much stuff and going so negative on Kelly?
Is Kelly such an unreplaceable commodity? They are thinking, not and they don’t mind if Kelly doesn’t come back, IMO.
If she leaves on her own? Definitely not unreplaceable. But I have 2 words for you: Ann Curry. Handle this stuff wrong and it’s a complete disaster.
What this tells me as The Original G said is that she is no longer a top priority for them anymore. They aren’t afraid to go this negative on her. I am not even sure if I believe they don’t plan to axe the show. I wouldn’t be surprised if it were a PR move and then they can blame her for the show ending. They can say she wasn’t onboard and there was no reason to continue. It’s not right but networks have called people the night before they were due for work and told them don’t bother the show wasn’t renewed. Ugly for sure but it’s the nature of things.
I don’t blame her for taking a day or two but I wouldn’t do it too long.
Really, Kelly knows exactly where she stands. She’s a paid performer, who has no particular clout when it comes to the direction of the show and her co-workers. If she did, it would be in her contract and she would have exercised some real power. While I empathize with how she feels about this change and her lack of meaningful input, it’s the deal she’s made for herself. ABC is not holding her hand because they don’t want to.
I’m with Magnoliarose. Good chance of an axe coming. The extend GMA for an hour with Micheal as continuity and they cut the cost of a redundant show that’s filled with lifestyle and celeb content.
ABC has made it crystal clear how much they value her. Moving Strahan is one thing, but the way they’ve completely thrown her under the bus? It makes me think that the rumors are true and they’re getting rid of Live. Which also makes a lot more sense as to why she’s so ticked – that’s a terrible way to find out that you’re losing your job.
Though I have to ask, why on earth would they get rid of Live before they get rid of The View?
This may be the beginning of overhauling the entire lineup. The Views ratings have gone up some lately but if I were them I would be thinking of a new job. Strahan brought a large uptick in ratings when he arrived and the network probably values him more. Michael has a fanbase outside of Live so there is more opportunity to perhaps bring in more male viewers.
I do wonder if they keep The View because they plan to change the format first or if it is the next to go.
ETA: It is iffy if Kelly is as beloved as Ann was by the public. Ann is also considered more of a serious journalist.
Honestly ABC Execs bare the blame here. This is handled very sloppy and openly. You don’t blindside your co-host or exec producer and then expect them to go away quietly. Words of Oprah: No one should ever be blindsided.
Oh, come on! You all know quite well that when you’re angry at your significant other, friend, family member, etc. you don’t want to be around them until you calm down! Give Kelly a break!
All of those people you have mentioned are people in your PERSONAL life, not people in your job. When you are paid to do a job, you do it without regard to your personal feelings about your co-workers OR you quit that job and give up the paycheck. There is no in-between where you get to sulk like a child because you are unhappy with your co-workers but also get to collect a paycheck.
Its an entertainment celeb show. Get over it Kelly, your job is based on fluff. You’re not saving the world, either get back to work or leave the show.
Is this about money or sex or both? I don’t know why,but I get the feeling(despite reports) that she wanted him bad.
He is talented and likeable. She is not. Simple.
Go, Kelly. If it was so easy to host a talk show every day, why are all these talk shows faiiing on daytime TV. She made a ton of money for this network. To be blindsided and only told of this the minute the public is learning and then expected to go out and pretend all is well, again, was about as unprofessional as it gets by the network. And Michael should have put his foot down.
Kathy Lee Gifford never in a million years woud have agreed to do that to Regis in that manner.
In fact, Regis has come out and said Kelly should have been told sooner.
It shows to her that she is not valued by this network. And, no, she is not just some little hired help. She took a stand,
If Regis Philbin had had this done to him and he took for a few days, people would be applauding him.
Mark my words, they are up to something to treat her so disrespectfully by blindsiding her. I believe they are wanting to do a three hour morning show or longer Why else would they now hire on another full-time host in the morning. They are crowded on GMA.
I guess when Ann was told things were changing on NBC she should have shut up and not made a scene on TV saying goodbye and done it their way? Look what happened when she didn’t take what they were doing to her lying down, they shafted her and hid her away.
Kelly is not a little dimwit just showing up for an hour. She has been a huge asset to Live and kept that show going for the network. I applaud her for not accepting how she was treated, and they need to be at her door making this right, proving she and the show are still valued to them and that they handled her shabbily in this announcement..
Know your worth, isn’t that what the actresses have been saying. Kelly isn’t taking her treatment lying down by the good ol boys at the network, and look at all the women on here bashing her.
I agree with you, Jayna. Kelly doesn’t owe them anything more at this point. It looks as if they already have plans to cancel the show, or replace her, or they wouldn’t have treated her so poorly. She has every right to handle this in a manner that she can live with, and if that means being a headache for the people who have screwed her over, so be it. Kick ’em where it hurts, Kelly!
And WTF with Strahan telling everyone she’s not taking his calls? Further trashing her and trying to act like he’s so caring and generous and above it all. I like him less with every update on this story.
Also, it’s no one’s damn business how Kelly spends her money!
Hmm no it’s not sexism, network executives screw both genders: remember Conan, David Letterman and of course Kathy Lee being pushed out for Kelly because she was “too old”.
I’m a woman and have faced both racism and sexism at work. As pissed off as I have gotten, I would never act this childish. This is immaturity and lack of intelligence. Because Kelly is not going to gain more respect, she just confirmed for the executives that they did the right thing in keeping her out of the loop because she’s just a bag of emotions.
That’s not how most men deal with being screwed. They go get drunk bitch to everyone that will listen, cry into their beers then wake up, sober up and formulate a plan of action.
Kelly should have looked each executive in the eye with a blank look or even look of surprise. But congratulate Michael pleasantly and walk out like a boss: head up high, back straight and filled with steel. Then call my lawyer and play hardball asking for a 10% raise or one equal to Michael’s, get last decision on the next host picked plus executive producer credit. Show up to work the next day and hit it out of the park with a standing ovation from the audience. Then off to vacation with my hot husband. THAT’s how you get respect and power! Use your brain not your emotions.
Agreed OTC
The Conan fiasco was unforgivable. He has never fully recovered. Jay Leno was hated by other comedians because of what happened.
@OTC Yep. That’s how you play the game to win. My husband was stepped over and was expected to help his less qualified new boss. And from day one he did everything he could to make it work. In two years when the favored child moved on, he said he couldn’t have done the job without the help he received from his second in command and guess who finally got the job he deserved. Respect and dedication were mentioned by everyone in the building. And he did get to pick HIS second in command.
This times a gazillion. From experience, when treated like crap, you knuckle down, grit your teeth, smile AND MAKE A PLAN AND FOLLOW THROUGH! You do NOT negotiate in public.
@original T C 100% correct
Kelly signs 5 year contracts each time. If she wants some of these perks, she should have it written into her contracts, especially after Regis retired. I have no dog in this fight, but if Michael was under non disclosure orders, not sure how he could have prevented this.
She could use this to her advantage now…
In the DM, it’s reported that when the group at Live had a conference on Tuesday about Michael leaving, Kelly said to the WABC general manager, ‘Didn’t I tell you this was going to happen? I told you two years ago this was going to happen.’
(Two years ago was when Michael started his GMA job.)
And then she stopped showing up to work.
Ok. So now it seems to me as if this is not necessarily all or any part about him not involving her in his personal and professional career negotiations anytime anything came up for him (though does she do that for him when it comes to her outside projects?). It sounds like it’s actually about him leaving when she didn’t give her say-so, as if people are supposed to stay in this job forever to be her support until she decides otherwise. Does she think she owns people or should have that kind of power over them?
I would think any possible future co-host would be worried about their own career situation and public fall-out if it entails Kelly thinking she has the right to make them stay as long as she wants or else.
Anybody heard of the Lesley Gore song ‘You Don’t Own Me’? That’s the song Kelly needs played to her. She needs to think about the lyrics.
Her behavior is a bit childish, but honestly…in this situation, I can kind of get it? I don’t like it’s Strahan is so much to blame as the executives, but they both kind of ghosted HER on the issue of him leaving. I’d probably be more than a little miffed, too, and I’m not sure if there’s a fully satisfying way to handle it for either party.
The network treated her poorly.
I think the network should have given her a heads up. Why didn’t they do that? However Michael Strahan was just following orders, right? So she shouldn’t be mad at him, but the network. At the same time, I definitely detect sexism in the way this is reported. Because she’s a woman, she is being painted as the bratty, tantruming diva even though she was the one mistreated. They even leaked out that she likes to spend a lot of money. What does that have to do with anything?
Thank God Lara Spencer didn’t get promoted. She is NOT an anchor and is sooo annoying with her mugging for the camera, inane comments and weird accent. I wish they’d get rid of her!
I agree that the network treated her poorly. It won’t be the first time a network has treated the talent poorly (man/woman, black/white/, old/young) , and it won’t be the last. But sexism? No. She is the other half of a man/woman team, so anything they do that isn’t in her favor can automatically be accused of being sexist when not always the case. Sure, it’s possible. But there are no supporting facts for sexism. She was just treated really, really crappy.
Strahan has been filling in at GMA for TWO YEARS!!! That’s called grooming. I even saw it coming (longterm), and I’m not in the industry. However, Kelly is, and if she didn’t already sense it was in the cards, she’s living in a fantasy world.