Finding the right host for a talk show that has been around for decades is not an easy feat. In between exits from both Philbin and Strahan, the network struggled to find a new match for Ripa. For two separate years, one after Philbin left from 2011-2012 and the other after Strahan's departure from 2016-2017, Ripa hosted the show with an array of guest hosts while the network searched for the right permanent host.
Using guest hosts as a sort of placeholder was not new to "Live." Philbin also worked beside a ton of guest hosts during his time on the show. The first go-around, Ripa hosted with big names like Alec Baldwin and Josh Groban. She also kept the show modern and timely, adding hosts like Kim Kardashian to the mix. After Strahan left, more guest hosts filled the spot, this time with talk show legends like Jimmy Kimmel and Anderson Cooper.
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