Kelly Ripa opens 'Live!' co-host guest gig to fans

Kelly Ripa excited "Live!" viewers on Wednesday, when she made a "big announcement" as to who could be co-hosting with her next.

A day after Michael Strahan started co-anchoring full-time on "Good Morning America," Ripa revealed that one lucky fan will have the opportunity to be a guest co-host. "Now it's time to put your mouths where your thumbs are," she quipped, adding that she's read social media comments that call her job easy. "I'm building a co-host empire."

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Ripa explained that those interested in co-hosting "Live! With Kelly" will have until Sept. 20 to apply on the show's website and Facebook.

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Since Strahan left the ABC program in May, a number of stars have sat alongside Ripa -- but never a viewer. This week, Morris Chestnut joined the 45-year-old TV personality on "Live!," while other prior guest co-hosts include Carrie Ann Inaba, Andy Cohen, Keegan-Michael Key, Jimmy Kimmel, Jussie Smollett and Joel McHale.

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A number of names have been thrown around as to who will be Ripa's full-time co-host, with Anderson Cooper, Fred Savage, Rob Lowe and Alec Baldwin mentioned as possible frontrunners.

It was also reported on Monday that Ripa got a promotion, and is now a "Live!" executive producer.

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Strahan co-hosted "Live!" for four years, and a source told ET that he was able to make amends with Ripa prior to his departure. "Kelly realized her issue wasn't really with Michael, but the network," a source said. "Are they best friends? No. But there definitely is some peace."