newsmakers

newsmakers

Source: Strahan close to deal with ‘Live!’

Michael Strahan is in talks to be named co-host of “Live!” beside Kelly Ripa.

Strahan, 40, a former NFL star and currently a host of “Fox NFL Sunday,” was in negotiations to be named as replacement for Regis Philbin, according to a source who spoke on condition of anonymity because the source was not authorized to speak about the negotiations.

Broadcasting & Cable, citing multiple sources with knowledge of the situation, said ABC was expected to announce him as co-host in early September.

The syndicated weekday show has left Ripa without a permanent co-host since Philbin left the show in November 2011. Since then, she has welcomed 59 guest co-hosts, some of whom, including Strahan, were under consideration for the permanent job. Strahan has made several guest appearances this year.

A spokeswoman for “Live!” declined to comment on Philbin’s replacement.

Strahan, a former NFL defensive star, also headlined a shortlived Fox sitcom, “Brothers,” in 2009.

Philbin, the original “Live!” host, exited at age 80 after presiding more than 28 years alongside several co-hosts.

Ripa became his on-air partner in 2001.

Kimmel moving into thick of late-night fight

LOS ANGELES

ABC says it’s moving “Jimmy Kimmel Live” into the thick of the late-night fight against Jay Leno and David Letterman.

The network said Tuesday that starting in January, Kimmel’s talk show will take over the 11:35 p.m. time slot long held by the news magazine “Nightline.”

“Nightline” will move to the daily post-midnight slot and will get a new weekly prime-time slot.

ABC says the move takes advantage of ratings growth by Kimmel’s show and the potential for greater ad revenue.

Kimmel’s show will move to 11:35 p.m. Jan. 8, with “Nightline” starting an hour later on the next night and debuting in prime time March 1.

In its new slot, Kimmel will face NBC’s “The Tonight Show” with Leno and CBS’ “Late Show” with Letterman.

Vindicator wire services