Anderson Cooper
Anderson Cooper, photographed during the Democratic debate in Flint, Michigan, on March 6, 2016, shuts down rumors he’s joining “Live!” as Kelly Ripa’s co-host. Getty Images

Yet another rumored candidate for Michael Strahan’s co-hosting spot on “Live! With Kelly and Michael” has come forward to set the record straight. Anderson Cooper appeared on Bravo’s “Watch What Happens Live” — hosted by close friend Andy Cohen — on Thursday, where he revealed once and for all what he thought about taking the position.

The 48-year-old “Anderson Cooper 360” host told Cohen that he had heard the rumors, but was “very happy” with his current jobs. Cooper went on to praise Kelly Ripa — the remaining host of “Live!” He shared with Cohen, as well as those viewing from home, that in his opinion Ripa was the reason for the show’s success over the years, calling her “the heart and soul” of the syndicated morning talk show. Cooper added that even without Strahan the show would prosper, reiterating that he would not be signing on as Ripa’s co-star.

“It would be a dream to work with Kelly but nobody’s offering anything,” Cooper said, according to People.

Cohen was also rumored to be in the running for the highly coveted “Live!” co-hosting gig. He addressed those claims in an interview with Us Weekly on Thursday, assuring fans that while he and Ripa are good friends, he was simply too busy to take on another job.

“I’ve kind of said everything I had to say about it,” Cohen said. “I have 10 jobs!”

Anderson and Cohen are just two of the many celebrities “Live!” fans have been buzzing about since Strahan’s announcement that he would be leaving the show. Neil Patrick Harris, Terry Crews, Jane Lynch and many more have also been the subject of several rumors as of late. There has not yet been any sort of confirmation about who will step up to replace the former New York Giants player.

Strahan announced his “Live!” departure on April 19. A report from People magazine claims that he will be officially leaving the show May 13, taking the summer off before making the jump to ABC’s “Good Morning America.” As of September, he will become a full time member of the “GMA” hosting staff.

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