Staff at ABC grow anxious as Kelly Ripa and Michael Strahan get scheduled back-to-back in same Upper West Side building following long-standing tension

Tension is rising behind the scenes at ABC, where a highly anticipated reunion is brewing between two famous former co-hosts who have a complex history.

Kelly Ripa and Michael Strahan, once beloved as the dynamic duo on Live!, are about to be thrust back into close proximity after years of strained relations.

Their reunion promises to be anything but smooth, given their turbulent fallout years ago.

A History of Feuds and Fallout

Kelly and Michael’s partnership on Live! came to an explosive halt in 2016 when Strahan made a sudden exit to join Good Morning America.

The decision blindsided Ripa, who was left shocked by the announcement.

The aftermath of Strahan’s departure sparked a public war of words, with Strahan calling Ripa “selfish” and Ripa claiming that she had been caught completely off guard by the move.

This messy split led to years of back-and-forth, with neither party willing to fully reconcile.

A Close Encounter Ahead

Now, years later, their paths are about to cross again in an unavoidable way.

In June, Good Morning America will be relocating to the same Upper West Side building where Ripa’s current show, Live with Kelly and Mark, is filmed.

With GMA airing from 7 to 9 a.m. and Live with Kelly and Mark running from 9 to 10 a.m., the two will find themselves mere steps away from each other, possibly creating some highly uncomfortable overlap.

The Pressure at ABC

An insider at ABC shared the tense atmosphere behind the scenes, noting that the staff is anxiously anticipating how the two will handle being so close.

“They will be feet away from each other,” the insider revealed.

“He’ll be able to smell her perfume.”

The tension is palpable, as the pair has not spoken in years.

One report even mentioned that Ripa has made it clear she refuses to be in the same room as Strahan.

However, other sources close to the situation have suggested that this may not be entirely accurate, saying that the two are not actively avoiding each other anymore.

Despite this, ABC is taking measures to prevent any awkward interactions.

“Plans are in place to get Michael and Kelly in and out without crossing paths,” an anonymous source confirmed.

“If their schedules overlap, ABC will need a Plan B.”

ABC’s Denial of Conflict

ABC, however, is adamant that any drama will be kept under wraps.

A spokesperson from the network stated firmly, “There is absolutely no truth to this. Both Kelly and Michael are consummate professionals and are excited to continue hosting their top-rated shows in our new studios.”

A source close to Ripa echoed this sentiment, dismissing the rumors as nothing more than an attempt to resurrect old conflicts from 2016, insisting there have been no issues between the two in nearly a decade.

The Importance of Keeping the Peace

It’s in ABC’s best interest to maintain a smooth working environment for both shows, as Good Morning America and Live with Kelly and Mark are among the network’s highest performers.

GMA remains one of the top-rated shows in its timeslot, though it recently lost its top spot to NBC’s Today show.

Meanwhile, Live with Kelly and Mark continues to dominate the 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. slot, maintaining a solid lead in the ratings.

Ripa and Strahan’s tenure on Live! also saw impressive numbers, with the show attracting significantly more viewers compared to when Ripa co-hosted with Regis Philbin.

However, their partnership came to a dramatic end when Ripa learned of Strahan’s departure just one hour before the public announcement in April 2016, leaving her furious and absent from the show for several days.

Although they attempted to patch things up on live television shortly after the fallout, their relationship never truly recovered.

Strahan later confessed that he had felt more like a sidekick than a co-equal on the show, and their conflicting work styles ultimately led to their split.

What’s Next?

With all eyes on them, the question remains: Will Kelly and Michael manage to coexist professionally, or will the tension between them boil over once again?

Only time will tell, but one thing is clear—ABC is bracing for whatever might come next.