Kelly Ripa's got a new morning TV partner: Michael Strahan.
"We finally have our new guy." Ripa said on the newly-named "LIVE! With Kelly and Michael" today as she introduced the former football star. "It's an exciting morning."
"I'm speechless," Strahan said, after bounding out of a limo and running down a red carpet to Ripa. "I adore you. I am so happy to be here and be a part of this. You know how they say it's a dream come true? I truly can't say I even dreamed this."
Reports that Strahan landed the gig began circulating in August. The former New York Giants defensive end was among the 59 co-hosts who have filled in since the departure of Regis Philbin, who hosted "Live!" for 28 years before departing last November.
Other candidates for Philbin's old job included "Saturday Night Live's" Seth Meyers and NY1 anchor Pat Kiernan. Many co-hosts came for fun, like Neil Patrick Harris, Josh Groban, Nick Lachey and Ripa's husband, Mark Consuelos.