Mario Lopez Refuses to Deny Rumors of Replacing Michael Strahan on 'Live'

Give it to us straight, A.C.

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Complex Original

Image via Complex Original

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Good news for anyone who dumped their life savings into a bet on Mario Lopez as the new Live co-host, as A.C. Slater himself is now refusing to deny rumors of becoming Michael Strahan's replacement. Strahan, as previously reported and promptly mourned, is dipping out on his Live duties next month to prep for his new Good Morning America gig. ABC's handling of this departure, to say the absolute least, didn't go over well with Kelly Ripa. Is Lopez the key to post-Strahan success?

"That's very flattering," Lopez told Ellen DeGeneres on Friday when confronted about whisperings of a Lopez-Ripa TV pairing. "I love Kelly and I've guest hosted with her a few times. She's awesome." Lopez also noted that he did a movie with Ripa's husband, Mark Consuelos, and was definitely a fan of the whole fam: "He's a real good guy."

Thankfully, DeGeneres wasn't about to let Lopez get off with an obvious non-answer. After pressing Lopez a bit harder for even a single ounce of revelation, Lopez kinda caved. "I've got to go over everything with Mrs. Lopez," he insisted. "She's the real boss of the house. We'll see what she has to say about that." That's still not exactly a yes (or a no) but we'll certainly take it.

"The best thing to come out of all of this [is] our parent company has assured me that Live is a priority," Ripa told the Live audience upon her extremely hyped return, addressing rumors that Strahan's exit was botched by network executives. "There is a commitment to this show and the people that work here and most importantly to you, the viewers who have watched us every day for 30 years." Though Strahan doesn't kick off his new GMA duties until September, his final day on Live is coming up very soon on May 13.

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