Ever since Michael Strahan’s controversial exit from “Live,” rumors have been flying about who is going to replace him. One of the subjects of those whispers is Bayside graduate Mario Lopez.
Lopez has been a guest co-host on the show before, and was cheeky when Ellen DeGeneres asked him about the possibility of joining Kelly Ripa back in April. But unfortunately, A.C. Slater is officially tapping out.
Lopez confirmed to The Huffington Post that the rumors are now just rumors.
“No, I mean those were flattering and very sweet, but I’m here in LA, and I’ve already got a couple jobs and my family here. But she’s awesome. I’d love to go back and hang with her anytime,” said Lopez.
The jobs he’s referring to, hosting “Extra” and a radio show, aren’t enough to keep him away from another new project, however. Lopez is partnering with Box Tops for Education in honor of the program’s 20th birthday. You can see the actor starring as a gym teacher in Box Tops’ new “Don’t Be Absent from School” campaign.
Lopez chatted with HuffPost about the campaign, “Saved by the Bell,” “Deadpool” and more.
You had a viral video announcing “Deadpool” would be rated R. Any other “Deadpool 2” announcements coming in the future?
Hopefully. Ryan Reynolds was really cool, asking me to do that. We did a couple things together. I went up to Vancouver on set when they were shooting the movie. I thought it turned out great. Yeah, that’d be fun. I’d love to come back to life and get killed again.
In “Saved by the Bell,” there’s a scene where Zack holds his own in a fight with Slater. Would that actually happen?
I don’t know. I guess he did that day, right? It worked out. I forgot about that. You just reminded me.
I just think that’s so far-fetched. There’s no way.
[Laugh] I like that you’re personally invested.
What’s your favorite cereal to clip the Box Tops from?
I’m a Honey Nut Cheerios guy myself. I’m a big cereal guy, period. I always like to read the box, like, 200 times. Cereal is a great little meal that holds you over and doesn’t get you too full.
What would Bayside buy with Box Tops?
I don’t know. That school could use everything I think, not much going on in that school.
Well, some days are more eventful than others.
Visit BoxTops4Education.com for more information.
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