Replacing Regis Philbin: Seth Meyers... or Michael Strahan?

Saturday Night Live's head writer is the reported frontrunner to permanently co-host Live with Kelly Ripa, with the former New York Giant also in consideration

Seth Meyers on "Saturday Night Live"
(Image credit: Dana Edelson/NBC)

Live with Seth and Kelly? The shortlist of candidates to replace Regis Philbin as the permanent co-host of what used to be called Live with Regis and Kelly is reportedly down to three contenders — former New York Giant Michael Strahan, singer Josh Groban, and Saturday Night Live head writer Seth Meyers. Meyers, reportedly the frontrunner, has guest hosted the show with Kelly Ripa numerous times since Philbin left the show in November. Showbiz 411 reports that he's set to do a weeklong test run beginning on July 9 — the only guest host besides Neil Patrick Harris to have landed a five-day stint — and that if it goes well, Meyers will likely be offered the gig. Can he fill Regis' shoes?

Seth Meyers is the perfect choice: Seriously, the other options are Michael Strahan and Josh Groban? "I think I speak for everyone when I say: HIRE SETH MEYERS," says Josh Kurp at Uproxx. The move makes sense for the comedian. His seven-season tenure as SNL's head writer is the longest span since Jim Downey in 1986-1995. It would be good for both Meyers and SNL to move on. Besides, his "goofy and safe" style of comedy was never a perfect fit for SNL — but it's just right for daytime talk.

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