"LIVE! WITH KELLY" ANNOUNCES THE WINNER OF THE "COAST-TO-COAST CO-HOST SEARCH"

Michael Buckley of Meriden, CT Will Co-Host with Kelly Ripa on Tuesday July 24, 2012

NEW YORK, NY - July 20, 2012 - Nationally-syndicated morning talk show "LIVE! with Kelly" today announced Michael Buckley of Meriden, CT as the winner in "LIVE's Coast-to-Coast Co-Host Search," and he will join Kelly Ripa as co-host on "LIVE" on Tuesday July 24, 2012.

Thousands of viewers submitted entries for "LIVE's Coast-to-Coast Co-Host Search," demonstrating why they should have a chance to co-host with Ripa. Those entries were narrowed down to the top 25 contenders, then ten semi-finalists, and finally to the top five finalists by an online vote.

The top five contestants traveled to New York on July 16 for a week of competitions and eliminations to determine who would be the winner of one day of co-host duties with Kelly. Competitions included interviewing a surprise celebrity guest (actor Jerry O'Connell), testing their improv skills in a green screen challenge and a tongue-twisting teleprompter read.

After the last challenge this morning, the "LIVE" studio audience voted, and Buckley was named victorious. Buckley is from Meriden, CT and is an internet celebrity, known for his widely popular YouTube channel and his "What The Buck?" vlog.

Emmy Award-winning talk show "LIVE! with Kelly" is distributed in national syndication by Disney-ABC Domestic Television. Produced by WABC-TV in New York and executive produced by Michael Gelman, "LIVE! with Kelly" airs in more than 200 markets across the U.S. Visit "LIVE" on the web at www.livewithkelly.tv, on Facebook, or follow "LIVE" on Twitter, @LiveKelly.