A full year after Michael Strahan left “Live” for “Good Morning America,” Kelly Ripa introduced her new co-host Monday morning on the show — and it is Ryan Seacrest.
“I couldn’t be more excited to be here with you,” Seacrest told Ripa, after taking his seat.
Seacrest is no stranger to television or even “Live,” which will now be known as “Live with Kelly & Ryan” — having made his first appearance on the show in 2003. He’s best known as the host of “American Idol” for 15 seasons. He also hosts “American Top 40” and his own radio show, “On Air with Ryan Seacrest.” And since 2005, he has hosted “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve,” which airs on ABC.
Ripa was still teasing her new co-host at the top of Monday’s show. Facing the camera, she addressed the as-yet-unnamed person who was off camera, saying, “Don’t be nervous, you’re going to be great.” But it wasn’t until after the commercial break that she and Seacrest walked on stage together.