Kelly Ripa to Leave LIVE? Source Says She Wants Anderson Cooper as New Co-Host

The drama continues backstage at LIVE WITH KELLY AND MICHAEL as a source revealed exclusively to Us Weekly that longtime host Kelly Ripa "is talking about leaving" after Michael Strahan announced his exit from the show for a permanent job as co-host of ABC's Good Morning America.

Ripa returned to the morning show yesterday after a four-day absence and began the show telling the audience, "apologies have been made." Later in the day, it was revealed that Strahan's last day on the show will be May 13th, several months earlier than originally announced.

According to the source, actor Jerry O'Connell is being considered to replace Strahan, although Ripa "hopes Anderson Cooper or Andy Cohen gets the job." Further, if the 15-year veteran of 'Live' does not get her way, she may say adios to the hosting gig entirely. Says the source, "Unless one of them can come on, she doesn't really want to do it."

Watch Kelly Ripa's opening remarks from yesterday's live below: