Who Should be Kelly Ripa’s New ‘Live!’ Co-Host? Damian Holbrook May 11, 2016 Comments David E. Steele/Disney ABC Live! with Kelly and...? Now that the backstage brouhaha at Live! With Kelly and Michael has been settled-ish, it’s time to focus on the very real drama of finding someone to replace Strahan after his May 13 departure to Good Morning America. Here are some of our suggestions, but please, ABC, tell Kelly before you make any announcements. Larry Busacca/Getty Images The Newsie: Anderson Cooper Cooper and Ripa are besties already, so their chemistry is set. And with his CNN background, we could see more in-depth interviews, which might appeal to the ABC News division that already oversees The View. John Lamparski/WireImage The Jock: Hélio Castroneves With three Indy 500 titles under his belt, this charmer who also won the fifth season of Dancing With the Stars can handle live-TV pressure and could bring a whole new audience of race fans to the show. Plus, imagine all the “Ripa gets a Brazilian” jokes to be made! Angela Weiss/Getty Images The Woman: Megan Mullally Who says it has to be a dude? History could be made by filling the vacant seat with a second woman, and the Will & Grace Emmy winner—who was so much better than her short-lived 2006 daytime talk show—could balance out the frenetic Ripa with her more measured comedic chops. Ethan Miller/Getty Images The Musician: Michael Bublé Anyone who has seen the Canadian crooner’s Christmas specials knows that he’s just as engaging in front of a live crowd as he is amazing behind the microphone. Oooh, that could mean more musical guests too! Angela Weiss/Getty Images The Reality Vet: Matt Iseman To hold his own with the hilarious Ripa, the new sidekick will need a quick wit and a command of timing. The American Ninja Warrior host and stand-up comic has both, as well as talk-show training from his gig on Hallmark’s Home & Family. Bennett Raglin/Getty Images The Trade: Sam Champion Since Strahan is leaving for GMA, why not serve up a little turnabout and snatch the morning show’s former weatherman? Champion left for the Weather Channel in 2013 (where he’s been underused), but ably filled in on GMA during replacement Ginger Zee’s maternity leave earlier this year. Plus, he’s a scream. 1 of Live! with Kelly, Weekdays, 9/8c, check local listings. RELATED: How Live! With Kelly and Michael’s Happy Talk Became So Toxic So Fast Kelly Ripa Receives Apologies from Disney and ABC Regis Philbin Sticks Up for Kelly Ripa Live! With Kelly and MichaelAnderson CooperHelio CastronevesKelly RipaMatt IsemanMegan MullallyMichael BubléMichael StrahanSam Champion 1‘Wheel of Fortune’: Pat Sajak Reacts to Contestant’s $100K Loss2‘Wheel of Fortune’ Contestant Loses 10K After Shocking Mistake – Fans React3Sean Murray Teases McGee’s Surprise Relative on ‘NCIS’4‘Jeopardy!’ Champ Ben Chan Opens Up About His TOC Strategy5Drake Bell Breaks His Silence About ‘Brutal’ Sexual Assault as a Child Star