A Breakdown of Michael Strahan and Kelly Ripa’s Awkward Tension on ‘Live! With Kelly and Michael’

On Tuesday, April 19 Michael announced that he would be leaving Live! With Kelly and Michael to become a co-anchor on Good Morning America.

"I look forward to continuing to work with the incredible team at GMA," he said in a statement. "It is an exciting opportunity to be able to bring unique stories and voices to the audience."

"My time with Live! With Kelly and Michael has been transformative, and my departure will be bittersweet. [Kelly Ripa] has been an unbelievable partner, and I am so thankful to her and the entire team. I am extremely grateful for the amazing support I've received from all of the fans."

Kelly was reportedly informed about Michael's exit just moments before his statement was released to the press, which allegedly left her feeling blindsided and betrayed.

The following day Kelly began boycotting ABC by not showing up to co-host Live!.

Kelly returned to Live! a little less than a week later on Tuesday, April 26.

"Our long, national nightmare is over!" she joked at the start of the show. "I first want to honestly, sincerely thank you for welcoming me back to this show. 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."

"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, consideration and, most importantly, respect in the workplace," she said.

"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. There is a commitment to this show and the people that work here and, most importantly, to you, the viewers, who have watched us everyday for 30 years."

"I am thrilled for Michael… This is a tremendous opportunity and I couldn't be prouder of you and everything we have accomplished together," she concluded.

On the day of Kelly's return to Live! it was announced that Michael would be leaving the show much sooner than expected.

"After meeting with the producers of both Live and GMA, and after speaking with Kelly and Michael, we have decided on a plan that best advantages both shows for the future," a spokesman said.

"To that end, Michael's last day on Live will be on Friday, May 13, which not only gives the show the chance to have a nice send-off for him during the May book, but to also immediately begin the on-air search for a new co-host. This plan also allows GMA to start integrating Michael into the show more often this summer before his full-time start in September."

Kelly made things pretty awkward when she returned to Live! and almost immediately made a dig about contract negotiations during a segment with a wildlife expert.

"The reason he's screaming is he is small," the expert said about the small animal he held in his hands. "He has no defense, no teeth. When a predator comes along he squares it away with his scream.

"I just want to take him into contract negotiations with me!" Kelly said, which resulted in awkward silence that Michael attempted to fill.

Both Kelly and Michael were absent from the Daytime Emmys yesterday, where they won Best Entertainment Talk Show.

“I don’t think they’re here… Will accept on their behalf – and Kelly and Michael will share it!” Dr. Oz said after announcing them as the winners.