Chicagoland native Fred Savage shows easy rapport with Kelly Ripa in 'Live' return

Before he began promoting his new sitcom "The Good Place" on Wednesday's episode of "Live with Kelly," Ted Danson turned to co-hosts Kelly Ripa and Fred Savage and complimented their chemistry.

"You guys are great together," Danson said.

Savage, who grew up in Glencoe, is in the midst of his third "Live" guest co-hosting stint as producers search for a permanent replacement for former co-host Michael Strahan. Strahan left the show in May to co-anchor ABC's "Good Morning America."

A bevy of celebrities have temporarily filled the vacancy. Savage, 40, is set to wrap up his three-day co-hosting stint Thursday after co-hosting in May and July.

Savage, who rose to fame with his starring role in the '80s sitcom "The Wonder Years," seems to have an easy rapport with Ripa, 46. He has a lot of energy and he doesn't overshadow Ripa, a "Live" host since 2001.

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Savage's chances to win the job may have recently improved. Ripa's pal Anderson Cooper signed a new longterm deal to remain at CNN, which takes him out of the co-host competition, The Hollywood Reporter reported Tuesday.

A Savage rep did not respond to a Tribune request for comment. A "Live" rep said she doesn't comment on co-host speculation. It's unclear when a permanent co-host will be announced.

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In the meantime, Savage is living in New York, where "Live" tapes, as he shoots the upcoming Netflix comedy "Friends from College." He is also directing a pilot for a single-camera comedy for NBC. The pilot is part of the deal Savage inked with 20th Century Fox Television over the summer to write, produce and direct projects for the studio.

Savage starred on the Fox comedy "The Grinder" until the series was canceled in May after one season.

"Live" airs 9 a.m. weekdays on WLS-Ch. 7.

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