Michael Strahan joins Kelly Ripa as permanent co-host on on "Live!"

Michael Strahan and host Kelly Ripa during Strahan's guest-host appearance on "Live! with Kelly," earlier this year, in New York.

/ AP/ABC

(CBS/AP) Kelly Ripa introduced Michael Strahan as her new co-host Tuesday morning.

At the start of the show, Ripa said, "Nine months and I'm about to give birth to my new co-host." She later added, "Now it's time for a new era of our show to begin."

Pictures: Michael Strahan

There's been a series of co-hosts on "Live! With Kelly" since Regis Philbin retired last November.  Since then, she has welcomed 59 guest co-hosts. Several of them, including Strahan, were under consideration for the permanent job. Many stars have sat in with Ripa over the last year, including Jerry Seinfeld, Seth Meyers, Neil Patrick Harris and Josh Groban.

Strahan, 40, is a former NFL star and currently a host of "Fox NFL Sunday." He joined Ripa and Philbin on the show for the first time back in February 2008.

On Tuesday, Strahan said, "I always appreciated coming on with you guys. I admire him [Philbin], and if it weren't for him, I wouldn't be sitting here."

Tell us: What do you think about Strahan as Ripa's co-host?

19 Photos

Michael Strahan

[john_52leon]

I thing that was the best choice kelly made we love ya'll anyone that don't like who kelly picked get over it

[praline12]

Disappointed about the new co-host. There doesn't seem to be any
chemistry there. Kelly had a lot of chemistry with Seth Meyers, I
thought he was going to be her co-host, at least that was the buzz for awhile. Bring on Seth. I won't be watching anymore, too painful.

[endrepubs]

I never watch the show anyway since Kelly Ripa is the biggest turn-off on TV.

[nohater]

terrible choice. if ripa had anything to do with the decision, she should be cut from the show. besides ripa isn't and never was the show, it was philbin. perhaps, if ripa had input to the selection, she didn't want anyone who would upstage her as the star. if the suits selected him, anyone remember katie couric who was a darling of the suits?

[alex0144]

Horrible choice, but so politically correct. And I guess at the end of the day that is all that matters.

[Dolphincat01]

This show is about entertainment -- not football. Mr. Strahan has no broadway background, has never been an entertainer except for playing football, is not highly educated, not cultured, and not someone knowledgeable about what goes on behind the scenes int the entertainment biz. This is not a black/white issue -- he simply does not have the personality and showmanship it takes to have this job. I will never watch again -- sorry ABC.

[2catnight]

Kelly is none of those things either. It could work.

[ChrisAnthony1]

The fact that some posters have already decided that the hiring of Mr. Strahan will be a failure even BEFORE his first day on the job has concluded, tells me that their opinions are derived from some factors that are a little more 'personal' than anything else.

[Henri_Rochard]

Most of the guest hosts on 'Live' were pretty good. I liked Strahan. My other fav was Martin Short.

[eat-mo-chicken]

another one bites the dust...then another one.....you know the song...he needs a gold tooth to fill in that gap....so long Kelly..you will soon be forgoten

[shelleymarie54]

So disappointed in Kelly's choice. Enjoyed watching her with the various co-hosts; however, choosing Michael Strahan was an obvious personal decision based on their friendship off screen. I don't see the on-screen connection whatsoever and will no longer watch. I believe she has now begun the end of her career. Neil Patrick Harris and Josh Groban had it ten times over Michael Strahan. Good luck Kelly - you're gonna need it!

[ralphing]

Uhhh . . . There has to be chemistry between them for the show to work, so why wouldn't she pick someone she is friends with and can also do the job? According to you, she she pick someone you and some other people likes but she doesn't have a lively banter with. That would sink the show quickly. I'm pretty sure the suits had to sign off on him being on the show, so it isn't like she made a rash nine month decision. Obviously everyone else is happy with the choice, other then you of course.