Oprah Winfrey Speaks on 'Live! With Kelly and Michael' Drama: "Blindsided is Never Good"

When it comes to Michael Strahan's exit on the hit show, Live! With Kelly and Michael, TV pro, Oprah Winfrey has something to say about the drama. Speaking out, Winfrey said: "blindsided is never good."

If you're just learning about this news, ABC revealed that Kelly Ripa's co host, Strahan, would be leaving Live! after four years to work full-time as a co-anchor on Good Morning America starting this September. Strahan was previously doing double duty working at Live! and at GMA part time since 2014.

When it comes to the shocking announcement Winfrey told ET Online: "Nobody should ever be blindsided." While promoting her new show, Greenleaf during the Tribeca Film Festival Winfrey added: "I don't know who's in charge, but somebody should've said, 'This is going to happen.' You shouldn't have to read it in the paper. Ever."

"I had a co-host for a long time and I wanted to do it by myself," Winfrey admitted. As for Strahan's new gig, Winfrey said: "He's going to be great on Good Morning America. I think Michael's so great. He's like a natural talent," she added, "He won't get any sleep, but he will be great."

Ripa apparently had no idea that her partner was leaving the show until it was revealed on Tuesday, April 19. A source claimed that Ripa was "hurt and upset" and decided to take a day off on Wednesday.

"She totally understands why he'd take the job ... it's a great job!" the source explained. "But there is a way to go about things, with courtesy and respect and decency, and none of those things were done here."

It's unclear when Ripa will return to work. She is currently on vacation celebrating her anniversary with her husband, Mark Consuelos. Actress, Ana Gasteyer has been filling in with Strahan since the news broke.

After the world learned of the change, the former NFL star talked about his time working alongside Ripa.

"Kelly welcomed me here, and I've learned so much from her, and she's just been an amazing influence on me," Strahan told the audience. "And this has truly changed my life to be here with her. And I know that the show will continue to be strong and great, because with Kelly and Michael Gelman and the staff - everybody here is so talented, and this show has not been around for over 30 years by mistake. Kelly, I thank you. I love you. And everyone else here at Live."