Michael Strahan On 'Live!' Short List, Likely Not First Choice, Insiders Say

Although ABC's "Live!" will not confirm that Michael Strahan is the man to replace Regis Philbin on the hit talk show with Kelly Ripa, it is likely that the NFL star will be joining the show. However, the final short list that ABC and Kelly decided were considering is just as interesting as who they picked.

"Seth Meyers was on the list, for sure,” one ABC insider told me. “He’s funny and smart and has a great chemistry with Kelly."

"No, no, no, no, no," Meyers said when he was asked whether he would take the job, noting that during an election year nothing beats working on "Saturday Night Live."

The producers and Kelly also loved Joel McHale, who wasn’t available because he is still on the sitcom "Community," which shoots in Los Angeles. The same is true for Neil Patrick Harris, who many agreed would have been the perfect fit.

"Kelly has made it clear her perfect choice would be her great pal Anderson Cooper, but he also isn't available with his CNN show and talk show," one insider tells me. "It makes you wonder if Michael was the first choice or the best person who is available!"

The official announcement will be made live on-air on Sept. 4.