NEWSMAKERS

NEWSMAKERS

Michael Strahan exiting as Kelly Ripa’s talk-show partner

NEW YORK

Michael Strahan wrapped co-host Kelly Ripa in a giant hug in the final moment of their talk show, his exit Friday accelerated by awkwardness surrounding the announcement of the former football star’s new job at ABC’s “Good Morning America.”

“A lot has happened, a lot has happened,” he said as a clip reel of some light moments on the show rolled – Strahan in a fat suit, wearing red “kinky boots” from the Broadway show, dressed as Serena Williams and in a giant afro wig.

A lot happened in the last month, too, when Ripa made headlines by abruptly taking time off after learning only minutes before the rest of the world that her TV partner was leaving. Her bosses apologized, and Ripa, upon her return, said the incident opened a conversation about workplace respect. Strahan had been on the show since September 2012, when he replaced Regis Philbin.

ABC initially had said Strahan was to work with Ripa for the rest of the summer, but moved his exit to Friday when the transition was fumbled.

The show now starts an extended period of guest hosts with Ripa, some auditioning to be Strahan’s permanent replacement.

ABC late-night host Jimmy Kimmel, in New York next week for the network’s announcement of its fall schedule, will be guest host Monday. Fred Savage, Seal and Andy Cohen also are lined up for hosting gigs.

Actress agrees to pay $1,000 for carving on red rock wall

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz.

Actress Vanessa Hudgens has paid $1,000 in restitution for carving a heart into a red rock wall during a trip to Sedona, Ariz.

Hudgens posted a photo of the carving bearing the names “Vanessa” and “Austin” on her Instagram page around Valentine’s Day, along with other photos of the couple amid towering red rocks that draw throngs of tourists to northern Arizona.

The payment resolves a citation issued to Hudgens on a misdemeanor count of damaging a natural feature on U.S. Forest Service land. The money was used by a volunteer group called Friends of the Forest to restore the rock wall, which typically is done by scrubbing or sanding the rock.

A federal magistrate in Flagstaff approved the agreement April 19.

Associated Press