RYAN RARING TO JUMP SHIP!
The grass seems greener at GMA
LIVE co-host Ryan Seacrest sees greener pastures at beleaguered Good Morning America, where sources say he believes he could be top dog and not have to deal with Kelly Ripa’s diva antics anymore!
“Ryan’s had it with being Kelly’s second banana and sees a golden opportunity to have a larger role over at Good Morning America, which is being rocked by scandal and taking a ratings hit,” snitches a TV insider.
Sources exclusively tell GLOBE that 48-year-old Ryan has been closely following the GMA train wreck involving cheating anchors Amy Robach and T.J. Holmes and suspects there may be a housecleaning that could pave the way for him to take center stage on the reeling morning show.
“Ryan figures there will be firings and a desperate need for a new face — and he believes that could be HIM,” spills a source.
As previously reported, insiders insist Ryan — who played an integral role in the monster reality TV hits American Idol and Keeping Up with the Kardashians — has grown weary of taking a back seat to Kelly on their popular morning gabfest, which is syndicated by GMA’s network, ABC.
“There are times when Kelly’s micromanagement and criticism have become insufferable,” confides the insider. “Kelly’s in charge. The staff works for her, and no one lets Ryan forget it.”
Seacrest is also said to be frustrated by the sofar empty promises that one day the show will be his, sources claim.
Kelly, 52, has been filming the new ABC trivia game show Generation Gap and has made noise about leaving Live for years — but never acts on it, spies dish!
Meanwhile, Kelly has also publicly stated she wants to pick her own replacement, specifying, “I do believe in shepherding in somebody new.”
As soon as she uttered those words, sources say Ryan started making plans to move on. Ironically, Ryan’s potential escape route is the same one taken by Kelly’s former Live partner Michael Strahan in 2016. The charismatic pro football Hall of
Famer’s decision to go to GMA set off a bitter war with the blond chatterbox.
“Michael is said to have felt the same ceiling as Ryan,” reveals the insider. “When he left after secret negotiations, she was furious!” Sources are now saying Ryan has the same hidden game plan — though some insiders at ABC insist they haven’t heard a word about Seacrest feeling restless and
wanting to join the GMA gang.
“Ryan is unhappy, and GMA’s troubles popped up at the right time for him to take advantage of it,” says the insider. “It’s very likely Kelly will freak out — especially if he joins Michael at GMA.
“But apparently he’s willing to suffer Kelly’s wrath to get top billing!”