Kelly Ripa Absent from 'LIVE' for Day 2 as Problems Continue to Plague the Morning Show

"Dancing With the Stars" co-host Erin Andrews stepped into the hosting seat next to Michael Strahan on today's LIVE WITH KELLY AND MICHAEL. The broadcast marked the second day that host Kelly Ripa was absent from the show, following news that Strahan will exit the morning talk show for a permanent spot on GOOD MORNING AMERICA.

Today's "host chat," the segment which opens every show and features light banter between the co-hosts, appeared to be heavily planned, focusing on headline news, rather than personal anecdotes.

According to recent reports, Ripa, who has co-hosted the show since 2001, and 'Live's long-time executive producer Michael Gelman were not told of Strahan's plans to depart the show until minutes before the news went public. Since that time, Ripa has not appeared on the set. Sources report that she feels both ambushed and disrespected by the network.