OPINION: Are Kelly Ripa's Days at ABC Numbered?

This is my opinion:

Summer Hamptonite superstar Kelly Ripa has to be thinking Kathy Lee Gifford thoughts at the moment. In a career based on glamour and in an industry where perhaps age discrimination is still practiced with immunity Disney/ABC executives did not seem to think she was the first person to confer with concerning a huge personnel change on her show. In fact she was actually the last.

In an industry of backstabbing, career ending and making moves, Kelly Ripa is no stranger to the ways of television executives after 26 years at Disney/ABC. Heck 26 is about the age she was when she was given the opportunity to replace the famous and loved Kathy Lee Gifford. Perhaps Michael Strahan was part of a salvage operation before a generational shift is about to happen on “Live with Kelly and Michael,” or maybe not. One thing for sure the name of the show is changing and so will the chemistry along with the ratings somehow.

Kelly Ripa has summered in the Hamptons for over a decade now. The few times I have crossed her path she has been professionally sweet and even humble. She is perhaps now labeled, “a summer local celebrity,” as is Dina Merrill, Julie Andrews, Susan Sarandon, and Blythe Danner. In a time when demographics are flipping I am guessing those Disney/ABC executives have a plan too, and eating a big contract is no big deal, just think of NBC ‘s Tonight Show decisions with Jay Leno, Conan O’Brien and boom.

Just guessing here, but you might think if Ms. Ripa is the show, then no move for the show wouldn’t fly by her first, if the executives are thinking of her as a fixture in that time spot. In television young executives can make a career by creating a new show and destroying an old popular one. My opinion and guess is something else is brewing here, some folks know but Kelly Ripa most likely just isn’t one of them. TV Executives mislead too, just think back to David Letterman and NBC. Stay tuned.