Kelly Ripa and Michael Strahan, whose time together on "Live" is down to a matter of days, earned honors in absentia at the Daytime Emmy Awards on Sunday. The program "was not televised, which may account for them being MIA," Deadline deadpanned.
MORE: Bow Wow wants to join Kelly Ripa when Michael Strahan leaves
Credit: Getty Images
Credit: Getty Images
Dr. Oz, serving as presenter, acted swiftly and graciously when it appeared no one was present to collect Ripa and Strahan's trophy.
Ripa returned after days away following the announcement that Strahan would leave "Live" to focus on "Good Morning America." He initially was scheduled to stay on a few months but will now depart May 13.
"Our long national nightmare is over," she quipped. " "I first want to honestly, sincerely thank you for welcoming me back to the show. The love, the show of support through this bizarre time has been really overwhelming."
"I needed a couple of days to gather my thoughts. After 26 years with this company, I earned the right," she said. "In that time, I gained some perspective. What transpired over the course of a few days has been extraordinary in the sense that it started a much greater conversation about communication and consideration and most importantly, respect in the workplace. And since we're being honest, I don't consider this just a workplace. This is my second home. This is a place that I've devoted myself to not just because of you, our loyal viewers, but because of all the producers and the crew who work on this show. We have an incredible team. We are incredibly devoted to one another. We are family. Apologies have been made, and the best thing to come out of all of this is that our parent company has assured me that 'Live!' is a priority."
"This is a tremendous opportunity, and I couldn't be prouder of you," she told him. "Back to the show!"
