Fanning the flames! Mario Lopez did nothing to quell the rumors that he might be lining up to replace Michael Strahan on Live with Kelly and Michael during a visit to The Ellen DeGeneres Show.
Talking to show host Ellen DeGeneres, Lopez refused to deny the mounting gossip linking him to a position on the show alongside Kelly Ripa, making it seem even more likely that he’s being considered for the role.
“That’s very flattering. Very flattering. You’re so nice,” Lopez replied when DeGeneres said she’d heard the rumors. “I know, people were saying that. I love Kelly. I’ve guest-hosted with her a few times — she’s awesome. I actually did a movie with her husband, Mark [Consuelos], who’s a real good guy,” he added, in a minor attempt to change the subject.
“Yeah, he seems like it,” said DeGeneres, refusing to be deflected.
“I’m looking forward to going back and guest-hosting again,” he replied.
“‘Cause you’re gonna guest-host again?” DeGeneres continued, refusing to let the topic drop.
“Yes, I’m looking forward to it.”
“And then maybe you’ll be the replacement?” the 58-year-old TV star pressed. “I’m not starting rumors. You’re not shutting it down. You’re not saying, ‘Absolutely not,'” she noted.
“Well, I got to go over everything with Mrs. Lopez. She’s the real boss of the house, so we’ll see what she has to say about that,” replied Lopez, 42.
Forget about Mrs. Lopez — what we want to know is, what would Ripa have to say? As Us Weekly exclusively reported, the 45-year-old TV star is “talking about leaving” the show completely after feeling “blindsided” by Strahan’s departure. (Strahan, 44, was originally supposed to make the move in September, but the show announced last week that his last day on air will be May 13.)
Though Ripa returned to the show after a four-episode hiatus on Tuesday, April 26, a source told Us that the 15-year Live vet is hoping that Andy Cohen, or her other close pal Anderson Cooper, will replace Strahan.
Watch Lopez’s conversation (which will air later today, Friday, April 29) with DeGeneres in the video above and tell Us: do you think he would be a good replacement?
