Live! with Kelly and Michael

Live with Kelly and Michael
Also known as The Morning Show (1983–88)
Live with Regis and Kathie Lee (1988–2000)
Live with Regis (2000–01)
Live with Regis and Kelly (2001–11)
Live! with Kelly (2011–12)
Created by WABC-TV
Presented by Regis Philbin (1983–2011)
Cyndy Garvey (1983–84)
Ann Abernathy (1984–85)
Kathie Lee Gifford (1985–2000)
Kelly Ripa (2001–present)
Michael Strahan (2012–present)
Narrated by Tony Pigg
Theme music composer Gabriel Saientz
Country of origin United States
No. of seasons 30
No. of episodes 7,580 (as of April 11, 2013)
Production
Executive producer(s) Michael Gelman
Running time 42 minutes
Production company(s) WABC-TV
Distributor Disney-ABC Domestic Television
Broadcast
Original channel WABC-TV (1983–present)
Syndicated (1988–present)
Picture format 480i (SDTV)
720p (HDTV)
Original run April 4, 1983 – present
External links
Website

Live with Kelly and Michael is an American syndicated morning talk show, hosted by Kelly Ripa and Michael Strahan. Executive-produced by Michael Gelman, the show has aired since 1983 locally on WABC-TV in New York City and 1988 nationwide.

With roots in A.M. Los Angeles and A.M. New York, Live began as The Morning Show, hosted by Regis Philbin and Cyndy Garvey; the show rose to national prominence as Live with Regis and Kathie Lee, which ran for 12 years and continuing as Live with Regis and Kelly for another decade before Ripa, after hosting with guest co-hosts for nearly a year, was paired with former NFL star Michael Strahan. The franchise has had longstanding success and has won the Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Talk Show and Outstanding Talk Show Hosts.[1]

Production

Concept

Executive producer Michael Gelman has said "the real concept of the show, in a symbol sense, is that they are husband and wife ... they have their coffee mugs and they're chit-chatting about what's going on."[2] That is the basis of the show's signature "Host Chat", an unscripted on-air conversation between the co-hosts which opens each show in a segment lasting about twenty minutes. Then, a home viewer is called to answer a trivia question about the show, with the opportunity to win a vacation.

Beginning with a trivia question by phone, the show then continues with interviews with celebrity guests, musical performances, and other recurring segments regular features showcasing fashion, food, health, and lifestyle topics.[3]

The Live series has inspired similarly formatted talk shows. The now cancelled Mike and Maty, George & Alana, Caryl & Marilyn: Real Friends, Donny & Marie, Richard & Judy, Today with Des and Mel, Living It Up! With Ali & Jack, The Morning Show with Mike and Juliet, and Anderson Live were all based on Live.

The show is broadcast live from New York City weekdays at 9 a.m. for most ABC affiliates in the Eastern Time Zone, and is tape-delayed for the rest of the country.

Recurring segments

Guinness World Record Breaker Week, New York Auto Show Week, Broadway Week, and Top Teacher Week are examples of features frequently visited on the show, highlighting a different aspect of the theme everyday that week. Live will also invite "whiz kids" to oppose the co-hosts at spelling, athletics, mathematics, sport stacking, and technology, among other tasks. A recurring gag with Philbin as co-host was him challenging seniors—preferably over the age of 100—at tennis, basketball, ping-pong, and bowling, for example. Also, regular contributors to the show include toy enthusiast Chris Byrne, style maven Lawrence Zarian, animal expert Peter Gros, automotive expert Alan Taylor, pediatrician Greg Yapalater, home and gardening show host Katie Brown, technology specialist Leo Laporte, entrepreneur Carley Roney, Science Bob, veterinarian Jennifer Jellison, and nutrition expert Wendy Bazilian.[4]

Specials

Every year at Halloween, the co-hosts wear dozens of costumes and portray some of the most famous and infamous names in pop culture.[5] The 2013 special, entitled the "Best Halloween Show Ever," had the most costume changes to date with over 50 in one hour.

In February, Live throws a wedding for a couple who writes in with reasons why they should be married on the show.[6] Viewer submissions are also accepted for their "Moms Dream Come True Special," where the co-hosts pay tribute to a select group of mothers.[7]

Live from the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, the show airs its Post-Oscar Special the day after the awards ceremony.[8] The co-hosts interview winners and presenters as well as other attendees on the red carpet, backstage and live on the show. Also, a panel recaps the best and worst of fashions worn at the event.

On location

Live has been to eight countries and nearly 25 states, logging 200,000 miles (320,000 km).[9] The list of remotes includes: Tampa, Hawaii, Monaco, Banff, San Antonio, Aspen, Walt Disney World, New Orleans, Disneyland, Las Vegas, San Francisco, Paris, Detroit, Chicago, The Bronx, Los Angeles, the USS Intrepid, Minneapolis–Saint Paul, Maui, Prince Edward Island, London, Scottsdale, the White House, Charlotte, Churchill Downs, Niagara Falls, Puerto Rico, Marina del Rey, Philadelphia, Branson, Mount Rushmore, The Bahamas, and the Dolby Theatre's set for the 85th Academy Awards. While on location, the co-hosts transplant the franchise's own brand of entertainment-oriented talk with the beauty of the particular location providing a colorful backdrop to the show's segments.

History

1971–1981: A.M. Los Angeles

The show has part of its origins in A.M. Los Angeles, a local show that was broadcast on KABC-TV in Los Angeles from 1971 to 1991 that was originally created and hosted by Ralph Story, with Stephanie Edwards as co-host.[10] When the format went national as AM America in 1975 (taking Edwards along with it), Regis Philbin assumed hosting duties of the Los Angeles version, with Sarah Purcell as his original co-host. Purcell departed the show in 1978 and was replaced by Cyndy Garvey. Philbin and Garvey hosted A.M. Los Angeles until 1981.

1970–1983: A.M. New York, The Stanley Siegel Show, Good Morning New York

Meanwhile, there were also two different morning-show predecessors on WABC-TV in New York City. The first was A.M. New York which debuted on May 18, 1970 as a local answer to NBC's Today show,[11] and was originally hosted by John Bartholomew Tucker. After he left in 1972, a succession of hosts came and went, until Stanley Siegel took over in late 1975. Under Siegel's stint, the show went from last to first in the ratings for a brief period, and from 1977 until his departure in 1978 it was known as The Stanley Siegel Show.[12] Following Siegel's departure for rival WCBS-TV, the show reverted to the A.M. New York name until its cancellation in 1980, by which point it had been hosted by Janet Langhart and Clay Cole. A few weeks later, WABC tried again with Good Morning New York, hosted originally by Spencer Christian and Andrea Kirby; Kirby would eventually be replaced by Judy Licht, and Christian was followed by the likes of Dick Wolfsie and longtime Eyewitness News reporter and anchor Doug Johnson. Like its predecessor for much of its run, Good Morning New York failed to make a dent in the ratings against Donahue on WNBC, and was cancelled in early 1983, with The Morning Show as its replacement.[13]

1983–1988: The Morning Show

The Morning Show, co-hosted by Regis Philbin and Cyndy Garvey, premiered locally on WABC-TV in New York on April 4, 1983. Despite a lack of experience, Garvey's hiring was based largely on her charisma in previous television appearances and for being well known as wife to Major League Baseball first baseman Steve Garvey, and, as noted above, she had already spent several years co-hosting with Philbin in Los Angeles. In 1984, she left the show and Philbin hired Ann Abernathy, whom he remembered from his time at KABC for her engaging personality, to assume the co-host duties.[14] When Abernathy got married and decided to return to Los Angeles, Kathie Lee Johnson (later Gifford) joined Philbin officially June 24, 1985. Their chemistry proved to be successful as The Morning Show soon became number 1 in the market[15] and went on to debut in national syndication on September 5, 1988, when the title was changed to Live with Regis and Kathie Lee.

1988–2000: Live with Regis and Kathie Lee

Early on, Live matched its local success with impressive national ratings and established itself as a dominant fixture in American television.[16] Entertainment Weekly described Regis Philbin and Kathie Lee Gifford as "an agreeable mismatch" and their famous banter as "playful, edgy, and amusing."[17] Gifford's positivity throughout public scandals such as the 1996 accusation that her clothing line was being run under sweatshop conditions and her husband Frank Gifford's 1997 affair with a flight attendant resonated with the female demographic of the show, but ultimately made her a media target prompting her emotional departure on July 28, 2000. "Over a third of my life has been [at Live]," she said. "This is family. It's been an amazing journey."[18] Since her departure, Gifford has returned to Live on three occasions—for the show's 20th Anniversary special on September 14, 2007, to promote her book Just When I Thought I'd Dropped My Last Egg: Life and Other Calamities on April 14, 2009, and again as a guest to bid farewell to Philbin on his second to last show, November 17, 2011.

2000–2001: Live with Regis

When it came to looking for Gifford's replacement, Philbin and executive producer Michael Gelman consciously and intentionally decided to take control of the selection process. Teaming Philbin with a handful of potential co-hosts—including Joy Philbin, Kathleen Murphy, Rosie O'Donnell, Jann Carl, Whoopi Goldberg, Kathy Fountain, Gloria Estefan, Jillian Reynolds (Barberie), Caroline Rhea, and Suzanne Sena—proved to be a hit with positive fan response and a 26 percent ratings increase.[19] Philbin even won his first Daytime Emmy Award for Live during the six month solo period—an award that he would go on to win twice with co-host Kelly Ripa, who auditioned four months into the search on November 1, 2000 and whose quick-wit, confidence, authenticity, and fun-loving spirit ultimately won her the job. One of the guests on the day of Ripa's tryout, psychic medium Char Margolis, revealed a secret that Ripa had been keeping under wraps: she's pregnant with her second child. Ripa blushed and nervously replied, "I haven't told my boss yet!" Philbin later revealed that of all the potential candidates: "it could only be Kelly. We knew that from her memorable debut onward."[20] Ripa was announced as official replacement on February 5, 2001.

2001–2011: Live with Regis and Kelly

Live with Regis and Kelly logo from 2009 to 2011

Instantly, Live with Regis and Kelly's young-audience demographics increased by 80 percent with Ripa credited for bringing "a new life to the show." Seven months into Philbin and Ripa's partnership, they experienced undoubtably the toughest show in Live history on September 11, 2001. The show was pre-empted for a week following the attacks and returned September 18, 2001 with Philbin opening the show saying:

The last time we saw you was a week ago this morning when our lives seemed normal ... then the unthinkable happened. Just then, our worst nightmare occurred—a second plane slammed into the South Tower. Now it was clear. This was a terrible act of terrorism. Then came the news that the Pentagon was hit and another hijacked plane crashed in Pennsylvania killing everybody on board. Today, the heroic effort continues and the death toll rises. But amid the despair, we continue to hope for signs of life beneath the debris. Exhausted rescue workers refuse to give up. Our nation has never been more united. Across the country, Americans are pulling together and everywhere you look, there are tremendous shows of support, patriotism, and faith. Terrorists tried to tear us apart but they failed. Instead, we as a nation have become stronger and have only been brought closer together.[21]

Shortly after celebrating their 10th anniversary together, Philbin announced on January 18, 2011 that he would leave Live!.[22] The show then held a "Regis Farewell Celebration Season" as a tribute, showcasing Philbin's top moments from 28 years on the program that he took to its status as one of the most successful talk shows ever in daytime television.[23] Guests including Jimmy Fallon, Michael Bublé, Christina Aguilera, Don Rickles, Josh Groban, Joe Biden, Robert De Niro, Joan Rivers, David Letterman, Adam Sandler, Michael Douglas, Donald Trump, Bret Michaels, Lou Holtz, Liam Neeson, and Tony Bennett returned for one last sit-down with Philbin and Ripa,[24] sharing recollections of the times they've shared on Live! with the indefatigable host. His final show aired on November 18, 2011.[25]

2011–2012: Live! with Kelly

Live! with Kelly logo

After Philbin's departure, the show was renamed Live! with Kelly. Joining Ripa were various co-hosts from broadcasting and entertainment. On November 21, 2011, Jerry Seinfeld was the first of 60[26] men and women to join Ripa at the co-host desk, including: Reggie Bush, Kyle MacLachlan, Russell Brand, Howie Mandel, Carl Edwards, Chris Harrison, Daniel Radcliffe, Michael Buckley, Rob Lowe, Martin Short, Neil Patrick Harris, Peter Facinelli, Boomer Esiason, Ben Mulroney, Dan Abrams, Rob Thomas, David Duchovny, Pat Kiernan, Derek Hough, D. L. Hughley, Jesse Palmer, Carson Kressley, Carrie Ann Inaba, Mark Feuerstein, Jim Parsons, Nick Lachey, Jonah Hill, Michael Strahan, Apolo Anton Ohno, Joel McHale, Cat Deeley, Tyler Perry, Andy Cohen, Alec Baldwin, Josh Groban, Jerry O'Connell, Seth Meyers, Mike Greenberg, Kristin Chenoweth, Andy Samberg, Mark Consuelos, Lucy Liu, Taye Diggs, Randy Jackson, Mario Lopez, Matthew Broderick, Mary J. Blige, Ed Robertson, Michael Bublé, Matthew Morrison, Kevin Jonas, Tony Potts, Dana Carvey, Jimmy Kimmel, Kim Kardashian, L.A. Reid, Bryant Gumbel, Daniel Dae Kim, and Sam Champion.[27]

In April 2012, Live! debuted a new set described as a "contemporary downtown-style loft, spacious and yet maintaining the studio's warmth and intimacy."[28] It was the first major set re-design since the start of the show's 10th season in national syndication (1997–98).

In July 2012, People magazine reported that Meyers, Groban, and Strahan were the top three contenders in the running to replace Philbin.[29]

2012–present: Live with Kelly and Michael

On the September 4, 2012 episode, Michael Strahan made his 16th appearance on the show and was introduced as Ripa’s permanent co-host. Strahan is a former NY Giants defensive end and appears on Fox NFL Sunday, a job he said he will keep even though it films in Los Angeles. For his debut, Strahan got out of a black SUV and jogged into the studio to join Ripa. Multiple outlets leaked the announcement two weeks prior to his official debut. The Ripa-Strahan chemistry proved to be successful, as ratings instantly surged in all key demographics 87%, with Strahan being credited as bringing the show to "a whole new level".

Critical reception

The New York Daily News gave the program a positive review, " … When it comes to the amount and playfulness of morning talk, nothing beats Live"[30] In 2001, 2011, and 2012, the show won the Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Talk Show Hosts and in its 24th year, after twenty-one nominations, it won the Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Talk Show. In addition, its co-hosts have received two TV Guide Award nominations for Favorite Daytime Talk Show and multiple People's Choice nominations for Favorite Talk Show Host.

According to daytime television ratings, viewership averages 5 million per episode,[31] ranking number 1 in all big markets, such as New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Philadelphia, Dallas, San Francisco, and many others. Dominating its time periods, Live is the top-rated morning show and regularly the #1 syndicated talk show.[32]

International broadcast

Country TV Network(s) Weekly schedule (local time) Period
 Canada CTV Monday–Friday 9:00 am ET/PT 10:00AT 10:30NT
Varies in some markets to allow for local simsubs of U.S. stations		 2001–present

References

  1. ↑ Daytime Emmy for 'Live!'.
  2. ↑ "Live: With Regis, Without Kathie Lee". Times-Union. Google News. September 2, 1993. Retrieved 2012-09-05.
  3. ↑ "LIVE! with Kelly". Disney ABC Domestic TV Medianet. Retrieved 2012-09-05.
  4. ↑ Latest Features.
  5. ↑ Exciting Roster of Guest Co-Hosts.
  6. ↑ 'Live!' Heads to Paradise from The Futon Critic
  7. ↑ Audience of Deserving Moms from prnewswire.com
  8. ↑ After-Oscar Show in Hollywood from TV by the Numbers
  9. ↑ Around the World in 28 Years.
  10. ↑ R.I.P. for 'A.M. L.A.' : 20-Year Run on KABC Ends With Cost-Cutting Move by Dennis McDougal. Los Angeles Times, September 24, 1991. Retrieved 2012-07-05.
  11. ↑ Best Bets. New York, May 18, 1970, p. 52. Retrieved June 28, 2012.
  12. ↑ "Give Us a Kiss, Stanley" by Jonathan Reynolds. New York, September 12, 1977, pp. 41-45. Retrieved June 28, 2012.
  13. ↑ "ABC-TV Memo: Wasps Preferred" (Intelligencer). New York, March 21, 1983, p. 14. Retrieved June 28, 2012.
  14. ↑ How I Got This Way.
  15. ↑ Disney-ABC Domestic Television.
  16. ↑ Show Page.
  17. ↑ Live with Regis and Kathie Lee.
  18. ↑ How I Got This Way.
  19. ↑ Fans love the new format.
  20. ↑ A Revealing Audition.
  21. ↑ 'Live' Returns to the Air Following 9/11 on YouTube
  22. ↑ Ask Regis Philbin A Question! from huffingtonpost.com
  23. ↑ 'Live!' Kicks Off "Regis Farewell Celebration" from abcmedianet.com
  24. ↑ Building to Philbin's Final Day.
  25. ↑ Philbin's Last Guests.
  26. ↑ Jerry Seinfeld joins Kelly Ripa for first post-Regis 'Live!' shows.
  27. ↑ Schneider, Michael (September 15, 2011). "Live Producer announces how they will replace Reege". TV Guide.
  28. ↑ 'Live!' Gets A New Set from huffingtonpost.com
  29. ↑ "Seth Meyers: Should He Join Kelly Ripa on Live!?". Retrieved July 6, 2012.
  30. ↑ Releases.
  31. ↑ 'Live' Takes Top Talk Show Honors.
  32. ↑ 'Live! is Now The #1 Syndicated Talk Show from TV by the Numbers

External links

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