Michael Strahan’s “Bittersweet” Last ‘Live With Kelly and Michael’ Features Laughs, Tributes

Michael Strahan co-hosted his last episode of Live With Kelly and Michael on Friday, leaving the daytime show ahead of joining Good Morning America full time in the fall.

While reports ahead of Strahan’s episode indicated that the entire show wouldn’t be dedicated to saying goodbye to Kelly Ripa’s co-host, the duo didn’t waste any time addressing Strahan’s departure.

During the show intro, the announcer said, “Join us to raise a glass to remember laughs and fun times we shared on Michael Strahan’s flashback farewell Friday.”

Ripa, wearing a black dress, and Strahan, sporting a dark suit and purple shirt that was open at the neck, walked out to P!nk’s “Raise Your Glass” and then in a reversal of their normal habit, Ripa pulled out Strahan’s chair for him.

Once Ripa took a seat, she grabbed Strahan around the neck lovingly.

Her first words, though, addressed the ominous date, as the show traditionally begins with the co-hosts stating the date.

“Don’t take this as a bad sign: it’s Friday the 13th,” Ripa said. “But you said 13 is a lucky number for you,” she continued, addressing Strahan.

“It is your final day on the show,” she continued, as the audience said, “Awww.” “We all came today to celebrate you. We want to remind the audience that there is a run on discounted merchandise at the kiosk,” she joked, lifting a “Live With Kelly and Michael” mug that she referred to as a “collector’s item.”

Strahan then addressed his farewell.

“It’s bittersweet. Of course you get nervous,” he said. “I’ve done this for four years, so this is a moment I didn’t anticipate being here, at least at this point. But it’s here and we’re going to enjoy it. I’m not dying. I’m still in the family, and I’m still available to come back if I’m ever called to co-host. I’m not going anywhere. I’m not gone.

Ripa then joked, “You can fill in for me. I go on vacation in a couple of weeks.

Strahan: “I don’t know about that. What do they say, ‘Too soon!’?”