Kelly Ripa co-host to be announced on Sept. 4

Kelly Ripa attends QVC Presents Super Saturday LIVE on July 28, 2012, in Water Mill, N.Y.

/ Getty

(CBS/AP) NEW YORK - After nine months of searching and 59 tryouts, the producers of "Live! With Kelly" are ready to name Kelly Ripa's new co-host. They say they'll do it during the Sept. 4 show.

Disney-ABC Domestic Television said Monday that Kelly Ripa's new partner will join her on stage that morning. By then, the 41-year-old Ripa will have welcomed 59 guest co-hosts since Nov. 18, 2012, when Regis Philbin retired from the show after 28 years on the air, first with Kathie Lee Gifford and then with Ripa.

The company says the chosen one will come from among the 59 guest co-hosts. The day before the big revelation, Ripa will host the show solo for the first time.

Guest hosts have included Josh Groban, Neil Patrick Harris, Seth Meyers, Jonah Hill, Cat Deeley, Mario Lopez, Michael Strahan, Daniel Radcliffe, and Alec Baldwin. Ripa's husband and the father of her three children, TV actor Mark Consuelos, also was a co-host.

Philbin, who created the show, exited at age 80. Ripa became his on-air partner in 2001 after a similar lengthy search involving many co-hosts.

[JustSayIt]

The smart move here is for Kelli to get implants and let them be the new co-host(s). Knocks out two birds with one stone, first being implants would take her from a 6 to an 8 in hotness, and second...doesn't matter. Gettem' Kelli! Do it for 'Merica!

[melfc1221]

Martin Short was BY FAR the funniest comedian there - and then I would say Seth Meyers. Michael Strahan is good, but he just looks too BIG next to her - it just doesn't fit. Joel McHale was also good and, of course, her husband, but he said he wouldn't do it because it would be just too much!

[fastdraw2]

Oh goody! I can't wait! Who will it be? Can you stand it? Oh the excitement is too much to bear!! Ooh!! Ooh!! Ooh!!

Who's Kelly Ripa?

[Paciicdreamer]

Neil would be great but there was a mention that he couldn't do it because of his contract with another network. Rumor has it that it is between Meyers, Strahan and Groban. That would seem believable since those 3 have been in the seat more than most others. I think my vote would be Strahan.

[cincykris]

Great proofing..."By then, the 41-year-old Ripa will have welcomed 59 guest co-hosts since Nov. 18, 2012, when Regis Philbin retired" You mean Regis hasn't even retired yet???

[Luckeycat2]

Love....Love.....Jerry O'Connell! Why is he not in this list?

[mari1963]

Can we please announce the replacement of Kelly Ripa? She needs to go, she is the phoniest person on TV and to start the day with her makes me gag.

Let's replace her instead!

[Paciicdreamer]

Well then don't watch. Most people do not agree with you. Kelly is more real than most and the network wouldn't keep her if she weren't pulling in ratings. You sound like a jealous snipe.

[Agree-to-Disagree]

I have to agree with you... I can't stand watching (so I don't!).

[redener]

Michael Strahan is the man! He's smart, well-informed and has a great sense of humor. He would be perfect for Kelly.

[jadev6]

Neal Patrick Harris is great with Kelly they really mesh.

[Henri_Rochard]

I like Michael Strahan and Martin Short.

[erasmus111]

Me too.