Gregg DeGuire/WireImageHow's this for some daytime drama?!
Fans are still trying to wrap their heads around the surprising announcement made Tuesday concerning Michael Strahan's move from Live! to Good Morning America, but no one is probably more shocked by the news than his co-host Kelly Ripa.
His longtime ABC partner-in-crime found out about Strahan's switcheroo around the same time as the rest of the world, and has since been absent from her post on the show and remained mum on the topic, causing a lot of speculation as to what is going to happen with the daytime talk show.
Needless to say, a lot has gone down these last few days, so if you haven't been able to keep up, we got you covered.
Here's everything we know about Strahan's exit and all that followed after the news went public:
TUESDAY, APRIL 19, 2016:
Everything Seemed Normal: On Tuesday morning, Live! was smooth-sailing as usual, with guests Jason Bateman and Dr. Melina Jampolis.
Until That Meeting After the Show: However, shortly after the show aired, Ripa and Strahan met with ABC executives and executive producer Michael Gelman to reveal the big news. "He wanted to be there. He didn't have to be, but he didn't want to have her hear it and not be there," a source told E! News of Strahan's attendance at the meeting. "He tried to do the stand up thing."
And Then the World Found Out, Too: At around the same time as the executive meeting, news of Strahan's exit also went public. ABC News president James Goldston announced the news Tuesday in a staff memo.
Strahan Released His Own Statement: "I look forward to continuing to work with the incredible team at GMA. 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 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."
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 20, 2016:
Kelly Takes the Day Off: Following the shocking news, Ripa chooses to remain absent from Wednesday morning's show. "Kelly had the day off today," the ABC rep told E! News. Instead, Strahan was joined by guest co-host Ana Gasteyer, and guests Denver Broncos player Von Miller and his Dancing With the Stars partner Witney Carson.
Strahan Addresses His Departure: At the top of the show, during host chat, Strahan acknowledges the bombshell that was dropped the day prior, but didn't mention Kelly.
"I was reading some of the stuff and it sounded like I died," he said, laughing. "But I do want to say to all of our viewers out there...four years ago when I came here, I'm sure they were like, 'They chose that guy with the big gap in his teeth?'"
Then He Gives Kelly a Shout-Out: "I really want to thank, of course, Kelly Ripa, because Kelly welcomed me here and I've learned so much from her, and she's just been an amazing influence on me," Strahan said at the end of the show. "This has truly changed my life to be here with her, and I know that the show will continue to be strong and great because of Kelly...Kelly, I thank you. I love you and everyone else here at LIVE!"
Kelly Was "Livid" About the Way It Went Down: Regardless, a source told E! News that Ripa was very disappointed in finding out about Strahan's exit at the same time as everyone else. "She was livid," the insider said. "It wasn't pretty."
Where Is Kelly?: Ripa remained MIA all day Wednesday, but her hubby Mark Consuelos was spotted out and about running errands with his assistant in New York City.
Ripa Won't Be Coming Back...Just Yet: E! News confirmed that Kelly won't be returning to her post until at least next week, as a show rep confirmed Erin Andrews will fill the slot the remainder of the week. Shay Mitchell will sit in on Monday. "Kelly Ripa will be out on Friday and Monday for a previously-scheduled vacation."
Strahan Bows Out of Can Do Awards: Meanwhile, Michael didn't appear at the Food Bank of New York City Can Do Awards Wednesday, where he was slated to host. Instead, a recorded video message was played with Strahan apologizing for his absence.
A last-minute item offered to one lucky bidder included a Mario Batalli dinner with Aziz Ansari, Mike Meyers and Jim Gaffigan. While enticing the audience with the offer, Aziz joked, "I promise Michael Strahan will be there with Kelly. It will be their first encounter." Chef Mario added, "Kelly will be there, but Michael Strahan may or may not come," alluding to the fact that Strahan didn't end up co-hosting the event with him.
THURSDAY, APRIL 21, 2016:
Michael Promises Kelly Is Still ''Family'' on GMA: He joined Robin Roberts, Lara Spencer and George Stephanopoulos for the first time in-studio since the announcement. Though he gushed about his excitement to join the team, he couldn't help but thank Kelly again for everything she taught him. "If it weren't for her, if it weren't for Michael Gelman and the staff there that really boosted me up and made me look a lot better than I really am, I never would have had a chance to be here," he said. "But I'm grateful that I'm here. And we're on the same network. I'm just right over here a little bit earlier now, but we're the same team, same family, same network."
Lara Spencer Not Jealous About Michael's Move: Kelly drama aside, rumors also began swirling that Michael's new GMA co-anchor, Lara Spencer, was less than thrilled about the network's choice to give him a full-time spot on the morning news program since she had allegedly been promised the lead spot on the anchor desk. However, a source tells E! News that simply is not true. "Lara and Michael are very close friends," the insider said.
Kelly Resurfaces Holding an Ominous Book: When Ripa resurfaced in NYC, she didn't utter a single word as she left her townhouse with her husband...but she did hold a copy of Malcom Gladwell's David and Goliath: Underdogs, Misfits, and the Art of Battling Giants in plain sight for photogs to capture. According to Gladwell's publisher, the book "uncovers the hidden rules that shape the balance between the weak and the mighty, the powerful and the dispossessed." Is she sending Michael a message?