E! Online has an editorial about Kelly Ripa’s exit which made me nod in agreement. (Sidenote: E! redesigned their site and it’s gorgeous. Kudos to them for excellent usability.) Author Tierney Bricker makes the point that Kelly Ripa’s two extra days of vacation are understandable compared to the way she was shut out of the decision-making process at ABC. E!’s coverage is actually very similar to Lainey’s, who contends that ABC set up Kelly to fail. Kelly either could have sucked it up and taken it or she could have stayed away as she did and still be blamed for not being a professional. She got screwed either way.
As many of you have noted, this is actually the second time that Live executives have kept Kelly in the dark until the last moment. In 2011, when Regis was leaving after over a decade of co-hosting with Kelly, no one bothered to tell her until right before they made the announcement. She stuck around and dealt with it back then, but this time she took her vacation just two days earlier, taking Wednesday and Thursday off as well as Friday and Monday, which were already worked into the schedule. Kelly took a couple of days to cool off, and during that time she made sure to get her side of the story out to the press. This was only fair, Bricker contends. I like how she explains this in such a matter-of-fact way. Just because Kelly is making bank doesn’t mean she has to take poor treatment.
Sure, Ripa is making A LOT of money hosting the show (reportedly $15 million per year). She’s (probably) set for life. Her kids are (probably) set for life. But she’s also made ABC and Disney, who distribute the show, A LOT of money. Her name is on the show—it’s the first name on the show. She is, at least, half of the show. When the discussions about Strahan’s departure started, she shouldn’t have just been informed, she should’ve had a seat at the table.
She is [making millions of dollars]. But does that mean she shouldn’t demand to be treated with the same respect her male co-stars?..
There’s no arguing that Ripa’s problems are relatable for most people. But that doesn’t mean she should let the powers that be know they can treat her this way and she’ll still plaster a smile on her face, offer adorable anecdotes about her children and pretend it’s OK. Because it’s not; she deserves better and isn’t apologizing for being aware of that. That’s not being petty, it’s demanding respect from the people you’ve worked with for 15 years who didn’t give your opinion or feelings a second thought—twice in five years—when making a major decision about the show with your name in the title.
Kaiser was just telling me that the way Kelly was treated by ABC reminds her of how Ann Curry was ousted by NBC on The Today Show. That was a PR nightmare for NBC and it looked like they were treating an employee poorly because of their gender. Can you imagine the tables being turned and no one telling Michael Strahan that Kelly was leaving until the last minute? They wouldn’t have done that to him.
Kelly made it clear that she wasn’t going to take this type of treatment. She didn’t tweet about it, she didn’t trash her employers, she just took two extra days off, made the facts surrounding her co-star’s exit public, and made it clear that it was not ok. Yes there is a certain amount of crap people to put up with for their jobs, but there’s also a level of respect that women especially should be afforded. Kelly worked there for 15 years. She deserved better. We’ll have to see if the show gets canceled or if Kelly gets a new cohost. By making this controversy public, she just boosted ratings significantly and that may work out for her in the long run.
photos credit: WENN.com and FameFlynet
Haven’t watched in FOREVER, but you can bet I’ll be taping it.
The hostile comments about her seem really to be resentment that she’s a woman and she makes a lot of money. People compare their little $24k jobs to hers as if they’re equals.
What they’re really saying is that they get treated w/no respect so how dare she ask for it.
Nah, it’s not that. It’s just none of her business if Strahan leaves, imo. She’s still going to be there. She might be a host, but difference does it make if she knows or not? Especially if they don’t get along, as reported. Maybe they thought might cause trouble and that’s why they didn’t want to tell her. We don’t know,
“It’s just none of her business”
Ummmm what?
The shoe is called Live! With Kelly and Michael.
It is precisely her business. Of course she was marginalized and undermined and humiliated. Anc they then tried to make her look ungrateful and like a diva.
I am so over women getting bitchy about successful women.
We are talking about a woman with her name and face on the show for 15 years. A woman who had been a consummate professional every step of the way.
She chose her mental health when they screwed her publicly and I applaud her. She chose her best interest. And she took a risk. She basically took whatever power she had and said how dare you.
THIS IS NOT ABOUT MICHAEL. DO NOT BE FOOLED BY THE FAKE FIGHT BT TWO EMPLOYEES. This is higher ups straight creating a fight and drama to leverage her into submission and keep Michael grateful and silent.
Hope Kelly gets what she is entitled to contractually. And feels good about herself after this is all done.
I absolutely agree, people always think these celebrities are not human, and because they are making a lot of money they should just suck it up.
And yes $15 million is a lot of money, however, relatively to how much the show as made ABC, that is a drop in the bucket for them.
If Kelly Ripa would have allowed Michael Strahan a seat at the table discussing her career options, I agree. Otherwise she’s asking for something she would not have given, which to me is a bit on the hypocritical side.
Yup. I wonder how much of this is her anger at not being picked for GMA instead of him.
For kelly GMA is totally a huge step down from a show like Live. Live she is top billing, Gma is a laughable ensemble, so i highly doubt she’s wanting a piece of that half eaten pie.
GMA is a step down for her and a step up for him. Also it’s not about including her in his career dissions it’s about ABC including HER in dicussions regarding the show and HER career.
I don’t understand why this is complicated for people to understand. It’s about showing her respect and let’s be real if they were moving Kelly- Micheal would have had a seat at the table ABC would never have blind sided him.
People says that Kelly was actually offered the GMA job first, but turned it down out of “loyalty to the show.” Apparently the show wasn’t quite as loyal back.
I think that when people say: “oh she makes 15million a year so she should just suck it up” are the people who perpetrate this kind of behaviour.
I don’t care if you make 10k, 20k, or 20mil a year. No one has to suck up anything because they make a certain amount of money. Good Bosses understand and recognize the need to be inclusive. They value input, and are not afraid of having it.
We all deserve respect, and part of that respect is inclusivity in decisions that directly impact you. If you were in a Law firm and your partner decided to leave without notifying you, would you be mad? Hell yeah! It has nothing to do with the money. It’s about Respect. and communication, and including people in that communication so that transparency exists, and that no misunderstandings are incurred due to that lack of communication.
There is more going on.
She doesn’t like Michael, this is about HER.
It is not about being a woman or a man. This is about a network deciding who is Talent and who is not.
Disney gave Kelly a lot of chances to move up when she started Live. Regis was pissed at her but she took everyone. Why did she think Michael shouldn’t have the same opportunities?
She wanted Michael committed to Live. On air she told him to sell the California place cuz he was based in NY. He said he liked it there.
She knew early on he was only using Live as a stepping stone and the relationship fell apart.
Ann Curry was not good in that spot on Today. Instead of some giving her performance feedback. It was handled passively aggressively.
ita
if she wants a place at the table, she needs that in her contract
until then it is none of her business
You don’t “get a place at the table” unless you are part of management, own the show or the producer. She is none of the above so why does she get a place at the table?
Would you want your antagonistic co-worker to have a say in your career? I think not.
no i think this whole thing is ridiculous unless she is a producer and then it is maybe her job, although gelman didnt know either
every time a female is unhappy is not due to sexism
I think this is dumb, too.
Completely agree. I think this has nothing to do with gender. It’s HIS career. Why should she have a voice in it? People leave their jobs every day, and it affects their coworkers. I do NOT understand why everyone is acting like she had some big tragedy. She’ll get another cohost. Maybe even one she likes.
Yep. It’s not a Greek tragedy.
Totally agree – Kelly shouldn’t take this crap and pretend it’s okay. I’m so sick of being told, as a woman, just to smile and not make a fuss. Team Kelly on this one!
But ultimately Kelly is just an employee and until she becomes an owner or major shareholder she would never be at the table nor expect to be. ABC demonstrated really bad judgment again but Kelly did not handle it well either.
This situation is not at all like Ann Curry – Kelly still has a job and she still has a co-host for 4 more months.
I agree! She’s the talent but there is probably a long list of people from Disney that are the ones making the decisions…as it should be. Should she have found out earlier than the lighting guy?…yes…but I think she handled it poorly. And I think it probably stems from resentment. He’s been a rising star and she’s stuck in the same gig.
I think the situation is very similar to NBC’s. Matt Lauer, a the senior co-anchor, not only got a “seat at the table,” but wielded enough power to make major decisions to the show, including Curry’s dismissal. Meanwhile, Kelly, in the exact same position as the senior co-anchor, was not only kept in the dark, but also overtly lied to, about massive changes to her show. Twice.
Repercussions, repercussions. No one seems to remember this. She may have won the fight but in the long term (contract renegotiations) she will lose the war. The powers that be don’t forget about demeanor at work. An US article said she flew off the handles when she was told Strahan was leaving. I’m sure management will be understanding with her histrionics -not.
She should have rolled with the punches – that’s not the same as taking it like a “good girl.” Know the politics of the organization and play it to your benefit.
Agree. They can’t do anything now because of the publicity, but they aren’t going to forget this.
It’s so funny because I remember when they were testing out new cohosts for her, and I saw her and Strahan together. They really did have great chemistry. I could see why he won out over other people. However, two weeks ago I was on vacation from work so I happened to be home while the show was on and I watched. The dynamic between them was so awkward and stilted. I 100% believe there is truth to the rumors about tension between the two of them. It may be hell now, but I think separating them will work out in both of their favors long term.
Good on her!! Guess she didn’t get the memo they are paying her to be a dumb hot blond and that’s it. These kid of men are the worst. Anytime a woman has an opinion and isn’t quiet about it and interrupts playing her role, they turn it around on her. Give them hell Kelly! You are the asset on that show and don’t forget it.
You’re forgetting her profession has a short shelf life. She’s nearing the end of that shelf life. She can give them “hell” in the short run but in the long run it will not do her career any favors.
Obviously something is going on that the rest of us don’t know.. Everyone can say she needed to have a voice but there are obviously reasons why she didn’t. I wonder did Regis pick her as a replacement or was he told. Did she have a say when Regis decided to leave because I thought she found out when the show was on..
All the outside people in the business commenting is making it worse.. Now there are battle lines being drawn.. This is getting bigger than it should. They need to stop now and get this under control. It will hurt Kelly and the show in the long run.
And according to reports – Regis was pushed out because he was making too much (most likely because of his age too). He did not leave HIS show voluntarily and yet no tantrums. Nor did Kelly stand up for him.
How could Kelly stand up for Regis when she didn’t know he was leaving? She was left out of that decision as well.
She knew when it was announced. Retirement announcements can be retracted. She said nothing that says it all.
What could she have said though if the issue was about money?
I disagree. She is an employee and is basically throwing a temper tantrum. Her coworker is quitting, would it have been nice of ABC to give her a heads up? Sure. However, she is acting very unprofessional. Regular people have to deal with their bosses not cluing them in on the workplace happenings all the time, let alone when they are paying you $15 million a year to show up and do your job. I don’t see how gender factors into this at all.
Good riddance MS. Hope the door hits you on the way out.
Team Ripa.
People and companies will treat you how you let them. If after 15 years you can’t make certain moves and show your role as a part of the business then you have made many mistakes along the way.
Plus the sexism feeling off this is just disgusting. Like you said all she did was take two days off from work and yet we heard EVERYTHING about her. She’s a drama queen, she’s a diva, she spends too much money, she has no money let. I don’t care what anyone says we would never see this attempt at reputation smearing leveled at a man.
What’s sad is that Ripa came in as a newbie and had Regis leave without telling her and maybe she swallowed that decision because she still was the freshman on the job, but after 15 YEARS they do the exact same thing to her without telling her or trying to make prep for a smooth transition? That’s horrible.
And yes this is Ann Curry 2.0.
This is not Curry 2.0 – Ann was fired and treated badly. Kelly was not told her co-worker was leaving but still has a job, a co-worker and apparently the ability to pick another one.
If Kelly feels that she is not being treated fairly then go elsewhere – no drama. Finish your contract and go where you feel you will be respected.
PS – I don’t think it’s sexism because Regis was in essence kicked off b/c of $$ (and age most likely). He was treated worse than Kelly and behaved better.
And see this comment is why women still get treated differently and worse in the work place. We condition ourselves to think we can’t demand respect and to be treated fairly. When we do we get told we are told we throwing a fit, being unprofessional. We aren’t we are standing up for ourselves. It is ok to say we deserve to be treated equally and with respect.
I agree @em. Nailed it
Since when does a coworker get input on another coworker leaving? What is with this sense of entitlement? If you’re an employee you are on a “as need to know basis.” It is not sexism. Plus he gave 4 months notice. That’s not enough?
Yelling sexism on every little thing makes people tune women out. We will never get respect or be treated equally if you put a sexism sticker on everything.
@holy again I don’t get what people aren’t understanding. It has zero to do with him having a say in if he stays or goes but letting her know this is happening long before the press so she and ABC/Disney can develop a plan on what is best for the show.
If he rumors are true and they hate each other I doubt she cares about him going. She cares how it was handled, she cares that her show was left without a plan to fill him leaving, she cares that she and the staff of her show found out with me. She cares she has to train someone new again when she could have developed a new idea and concept they could have been testing. She is mad she was assured this wasn’t going to happen. She is mad this is the second time the sprung a massive shift on her and told her to smile and sell it.
The reality is this was sexist because they went out of their way to protect Michael, leaking reports about her spending which were just silly, blowing up her absense into a huge story when she was on vacation. And the reality AbC has proven to have a track record pulling this with women look at the castle mess.
Kelly had no reason to be in on the career moves of Michael but she should have known it was being discussed and worked with to create a plan for her show if it happened.
Maybe they should have told her earlier, but I don’t agree that it was sexism. Even Gelman didn’t find out that Michael was leaving until Kelly did, and he’s been head producer of the show for longer than Kelly has been hosting.
i think it is worse that the producer didnt know than on air talent
I tend to agree because of them not telling the producer too. Both situations are lousy – the network should have informed the long time producer, and the face of the show, before everyone else. I can’t see any reason for them not to do so.
Has it been explained why they didn’t tell anyone? If Julia Roberts were going to host GMA, I guess I can understand wanting to keep that quiet (because …of? even then I can’t think of a reason), but I guess I don’t get the big deal about a football player getting that position and needing to keep it hush hush. Does it have something to do with contracts? Since we get to know 4 months from his start date, I don’t get the point of keeping it all a secret anyway.
I never watch anything on ABC anymore. The suits have ruined just about every show with their meddling. They are the most draconian, nastiest executives. They could be portrayed on their own GOT-like show.
Team Kelly all the way. I’m not anti-Strahan, he was put in an awkward position. But I do think she should have had a seat at the table. I keep seeing people saying, “Oh, regular people have this experience all the time.” She is NOT a regular person-she is THE host and the dynamic she has been experiencing is about to be completely upset. She needs to be in the conversation.
ETA-Regular people do NOT always have this experience. I’m a Director of Sales and my boss absolutely keeps me in the loop about anything that will impact local or team dynamics, be those changes formal, informal, whatever. It’s common courtesy and enables people to be at their most prepared, equipped, and successful. I cascade that transparency to my teams to the best of my ability. And if I got blindsided like this, I absolutely would have a reaction.
Very well put, Liz. I agree she is not like any other person and she is involved in a work place that has many different rules.
Also, concepts like ‘common courtesy’ and ‘transparency’ are generally used by smart people. The execs that pulled this crap and started this headache are anything but smart.
Agreed. It’s definitely a more unique situation than most regular jobs, and at my regular job too, I am kept in the loop with anything like that.
Very well-said. It’s disingenuous to say “they are just co-workers, why should she have any notice” and act like Kelly and Michael are clerks at the DMV together. They are co-hosts of a multimillion dollar entity with their two names, and their two names only, on it. Of course she should have been apprised.
Thought someone on a different thread stated that when Kathie Lee left, Regis did not get a heads up either. Can anyone confirm or deny this for me?
Not true at all.
Katie Lee and Regis were friends off cam as well. Their families did things together. It’s pretty much a sure bet she discussed it with Regis before she made the decision.
It’s what I’ve said all along. I’m in total agreement.
Well, I think that she failed to use what leverage she had effectively. She saw it coming for two years and this was her strategy? She’s had a chance to show some leadership, here. I don’t wish her ill, but she seems to be failing to manage a what for the rest of the world is a not uncommon workplace transition.
But, if E! said so…….
I agree, this is indicative of a larger problem – respect of women in the workplace is a necessity, not a luxury. I’m team Kelly on this one.
What was the most offensive is that George and Robin were given advance notice what was going down. How you not gonna tell his current co-host?! So disrespectful.
I’m sorry that she got blindsided, but at the end of the day, unless she is Strahan’s agent, why the heck should she get a seat at the table when it’s concerning his career? Should we diminish the capacity and autonomy of this grown man to make her feel better? She should have been informed. That’s it.
Because it effects her career and several hundred other people’s.
And why should it effect her or hundreds of others jobs? The show isn’t ending. I don’t understand the reasoning here.
Because he is leaving the show, this puts the entire run of the show in caos, it puts the flow and future potentially in jeopardy. The network clearly didn’t value it enough to discuss this with even his boss much less Kelly. They now have to recreate chemistry, find people for a co-host or format change. They have to get audience trust back and do promos and interviews which translates to extra hours of work.
Her jeopardizing the show for the cast and crew by putting the word out that she will “maybe sit out until he leaves” affects the show more than his promotion.
Nope. Still not enough. He’s his own person and can make decisions concerning himself without her input. Michael Strahan is an adult, not Kelly’s Child. She should have no say in whatever he wants to do, unless HE asks her.
Literally no one is saying she should have a say in his career but that she should know it’s a possibility and what a plan is for her show should it happen really it’s not uncommon when decisions are being made in staffing and budgets in other departments in most places and it effects mine down the line I know things are being looked at and I’m not a face of a show.
This isn’t complicated. I don’t get why people find it so confusing.
Pretty much what I think. Terrible handling of the situation but Michael has to follow what the network told him. Nothing more.
I guess I don’t really understand what happened. Did she not find out until the public found out? I’d be pissed too, but I disagree that she should necessarily be “at the table” about a coworker’s negotiations. When and how I leave my job is between me and my bosses. I may choose to discuss it with a coworker, but they wouldn’t be involved in major meetings about it. Is that unreasonable? However, if she didn’t find out until we did, that’s wrong.
She found out before the public, Michael was told to keep it quiet and then someone leaked the information. He wasn’t leaving until September, so there was PLENTY of time for Kelly to be kid-gloved about the news. From all accounts, she doesn’t like Michael cause he’s stolen her shine – she should be dancing with glee that he will be gone. She can hire one of her gay besties that she rules over. and perhaps she’ll find happiness.
Okay, so it doesn’t really seem like she was being wronged, then. I can understand being upset, but throwing a hissy fit and cutting work seems a bit childish to me.
It’s HER name on the show. That’s why it’s different than any other “normal” employer/employee situation people keep comparing it to. Most employees don’t have “their” name on a banner to promote the business to draw people in. She does. And has for 15 years.
She was was dissed. Big time.
His name is on the show as well and if THEIR bosses told him to keep it quiet until a formal announcement can be made, he did the right thing. I’ve been promoted and told to keep it quiet and did so for 3 months, until the brass could make their announcements. Fortunatley for me, nobody leaked the information. I have NEVER in all my work career EVER went against the bosses wishes. Wanna keep your job? Keep you personal life out of it.
I respect your your opinion and can understand your point. I just think since she’s part of the “brand”, she should have been privy as to what was happening to/with it at least a week or two before the announcement. That’s all. We can agree to disagree. *smiles*
Wait.. so they announced it to Kelly and then the information *somehow* got leaked???
It’s extremely disingenuous for Kelly to say she was blindsided when they gave her a heads up for SEPTEMBER and the information wasn’t supposed to become public knowledge when it did.
She’s acting like a brat. For all the bad publicity spread by Kelly’s team, it would serve her right if Live was cancelled so GMA could become a 3 hour show!
She’s not the producer, She doesn’t legally own the shoe. It’s like a school textbook. I may put my name on it but at the end of the day, it goes back to the school. Same concept!
My name is on the work *I* do. That doesn’t make me the boss. This all seems like a childish ego issue to me.
I’m sorry, I don’t see this the way everyone else seems to. Michael Strahan was offered a new job and was told to keep it quiet until everything was in place. When you are looking for a new job, do you tell your co workers from the beginning? Or do you give them your notice once everything is in place? I really don’t see the big deal here. A person was offered a new job and didn’t let his coworker know until the deal was done.
Agree @nori
Exactly! I’m not getting where sexism comes in here.
$15 million a year for that drivel?? Where are our priorities….
It is crazy, isn’t it? I could support/help/make life better for half of my town for the rest of my life with that kinda dough. And would. *shrugs*
Kelly is Michael’s co-worker and competitor, not his boss. If I wanted to, I could wonder why it is that Kelly wants a rising man of colour to answer to her?
Exactly.
!!!!!!!
yes, all this leaping to sexism but no one minds that kelly wants ownership of his comings and goings?
Completely agree. She’s not his boss nor her child….so he really doesn’t need to answer to or report to her. She is acting very entitled and to me it says more about her than michael or Disney. Since when is it wrong to do as your bosses ask you to do?
I think the people crying about sexism should consider the basic root of multiracial feminism which moves beyond gender and not only highlights but emphasis that women of specific race and class locations are in a position of power and domination over other groups of women and men.
The thing is, I do think Kelly was treated poorly by her bosses. They were sneaky, but if anyone believes for a second that it is a good old boys club at ABC lets just remember that while Michael is a man he is also a black man. He is not apart of the good old boys club or on a equal level in anyway. He is also looking out for his own success and survival in the workforce just as much as Kelly. So like many women often say they have to play by the man’s rules to survive in the workforce, make no mistake that minorities both male and female do the exact same.
He might not have it tough do to his gender (but in comparison to whom? Other black women really) but he is put at a disadvantage due to race. If he wanted to improve his own work situation he took an opportunity and jumped. It is his as the Black American sociologist W.E.B. Dubois called it, his “double consciousness” coming into play.
This is how I view the situation as a black woman, who has worked in many workplaces to see that black men and men of other races are not just given things/ a leg up due to being men. I see the white men in my work places move up and then the white women often second, then the men of other races, and then the women of other races.
So I think people need to consider the complexities of situations as they fall within the matrix of domination before just saying that Michael has a one up on Kelly for being a man and a man alone.
Really ABC should be taking the flak for this and the fact that they aren’t and Michael is being blamed so harshly, shows the ABC knows what’s up. It is a typical exercise of “the masters tools” and as always only the master will win.
There’s a lot of truth in what you just said. Glad you posted this. I hope that someday things like this aren’t the case…but looking at how scary things are getting in America, I feel it’s gonna get worse before it gets better. (Republicans are scarier than ever. All I see is hate, ignorance, and othering from them. And they vote more than the rest of us.)
Yes.
Hope her tantrum comes back to bite her in the a** when time to negotiate her contract. She is soooooo annoying!!!! I can’t stand her screeching, her bobble-head interrupting people and don’t watch because of her!!!! Maybe time to reformat the whole show and get fresh blood all around. I can’t be the only one who can’t stand her and doesn’t watch because of her, is it just me????
Still think she should have ‘put up and shut up’. She’s an employee, a high paid one at that. They run the station, she’s not an equal, she doesn’t warrant a seat at the table. It would have been nice but bosses don’t have to be nice. That said I do think she’s quite talented at what she does. She never fails to make me laugh.
LOL at the “she should’ve had a seat at the table”. Ridiculous . I can see Kelly and her team are still at work. I feel for Michael. Kelly has taken his time to shine away and made it all about her and she is messing with his future chance for success. Inexcusable. No wonder he couldn’t wait to leave. She deserves to be fired.
This isn’t a woman issue or a man issue, or a money issue. None of those things are relevant. It is a respect issue. Her name is on the show and to act as if she deserved to find out at the same time as you and I is ridiculous. I didn’t read anywhere that she was trying to make Or even discuss his career choices. She simply wanted the respect of being informed immediately. And she didn’t get that respect.