Arts & Entertainment
Xavier Grad in Final 5 to Co-Host Live! with Kelly
Michael Buckley, a social media celebrity, is jetting off to Hollywood to compete for the chance to co-host the show on July 24.
Update Thursday:
Meriden's perennially bouncy internet sensation Michael Buckley, 37, a 1993 graduate of , has made the final five contestants vying for the Live! With Kelly Coast to Coast Co-Host Search.
He's jetting off to Hollywood for a chance to sit beside Kelly Ripa for at least one day — July 24. Buckley Tweeted today that he'll be on the air July 16 with the other four contestants.
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- Be among his 615,836 followers on Twitter at @buckhollywood
Gather.com is reporting that producers have narrowed down the permanent co-host spot to replace Regis Philbin to former NFL defensive end Michael Stahan and singer-songwriter Josh Groban.
Original version
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He says that his dream is to be a talk show host, and Xavier High School graduate Michael Buckley's inching closer to realizing his dream.
Buckley, a Meriden resident, is one of 10 finalists for the Live! with Kelly Coast to Coast Co-Host Search and is vying for the job to sit in the seat next to the show's host, Kelly Ripa.
"All I've ever wanted to be is a talk show host and I feel like I'm ready," Buckley says in his rapid-fire, energetic, one minute introduction video for the contest.
Buckley, a regular video blogger on YouTube where he broadcasts his What the Buck?! program nearly daily, started his broadcast career through more traditional means by hosting local cable access show called Table for Two, according to his Wikipedia profile. After a cousin posted his What the Buck?! segment from the cable access show on YouTube Buckley's focused switched to more internet based initiatives.
Today, he has more than 3.5 million followers on his channel.
Voting ends July 11 at 3 p.m. so if you want to support Buckley, or check out the other finalists, head to the Live! With Kelly page now to register.
If Buckley is selected as one of the five to move onto the next round he will finally have his chance to sit in the coveted high-top seat next to Ripa, at least for one show.
Ripa and her guest co-host Seth Meyers will announce the winners during Thursday's show.
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