Kelly Ripa’s return speech gracious but piercing
Kelly Ripa made her return to Live! with Kelly and Michael. She was her constant bubbly self. But her return speech said more for what she did not say.
She started with a funny joke. “I am going to be completely honest,” Kelly Ripa said. “I am fairly certain that there are trained professional snipers with tranquilizer darts in case I drift too far off message.”
Ripa then thanked her audience for welcoming her back. But then …
“I needed a couple of days to gather my thoughts after 26 years with this company,” she said. “I earned the right. And let’s be honest, I know half of you called in sick to be here, so we get each other. In that time, I gained some perspective. I always speak from the heart. I didn’t want to come out here, and just like say something I might regret. So what transpired though over the course of a few days have been extraordinary in the sense that it started a much greater conversation about communication and consideration. And most importantly respect in the workplace.”
And this was likely the trigger. Ripa pointed out she considers Live! her second home. She considers the producers and crew her family. She pointed out that ‘apologies have been made’ and that the parent company of the show has assured her that the show is a priority. She then congratulated Michael Strahan for his new job and said both she and the viewers are proud and happy for him.
Kelly Ripa then reminded everyone that what they do is entertainment, and it is supposed to be fun. She then got the show started with Michael Strahan urging him to say something. He said what one would expect he would say. He showed professionalism and expressed his love for Kelly.
“I am so happy you are back,” Michael Strahan said. “One thing I know about you is you love this show, you love the fans, you love the staff, I love you. And I am so happy you are here because you brought me here with Gilman and this show has been transforming for me. And I know this show lives on because you are the queen of morning television and it will continue to go. … But I am right down the street. You need me I am coming back to help out, so that’s it. And this is entertainment. With that being said let’s go on with the show.”