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Jimmy Kimmel finds the funny in Michael Strahan's exit on 'Live! with Kelly'

By Karen Butler
Kelly Ripa arrives for the 88th Academy Awards in Los Angeles on February 28, 2016. File Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI
1 of 3 | Kelly Ripa arrives for the 88th Academy Awards in Los Angeles on February 28, 2016. File Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo

NEW YORK, May 16 (UPI) -- Kelly Ripa hosted her first edition of the morning program Live! since Michael Strahan -- her co-star for the past four years -- departed Friday.

No permanent host has been named to take Strahan's place. The pro football player-turned-television personality left his job at Live! with Kelly & Michael to become a full-time contributor on Good Morning America.

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The Hollywood Reporter said Jimmy Kimmel appeared on Live! with Kelly Monday and did not avoid talking about the reported tension between Ripa and Strahan during his last weeks on the show. Instead, Kimmel mined the situation for humor, demanding to know, "Where's Michael?"

"That's right, you don't read newspapers, I forgot," Ripa quipped.

"I don't pay attention. Everything OK?" Kimmel asked.

"Yeah, everything's great," Ripa replied.

Kimmel wouldn't change the subject and with numerous questions got Ripa to say she will likely speak to Strahan again even though he left the show. She also insisted her warm, on-air farewell to him last week was genuine.

Kimmel then tried to help Ripa choose a new, permanent co-host by spinning a wheel with the names of the celebrity candidates Kylie Jenner, Jon Bon Jovi, Jojo the Bachelorette, Derek Jeter, Pippa Middleton, Becky with the Good Hair and a party-size summer sausage.

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The sausage won the spot, prompting Kimmel to joke, "The sausage is leaving to go to Good Morning America."

"Oh, my gosh, again?" Ripa exclaimed.

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