The problem is that it may take a few MONTHS before they find the right host and the right fit. They need stars to come in for the ratings, even if they aren't going to be permanent.
I remember when Craig Kilborn left hosting The Late, Late Show, on after Letterman. It took a couple months finding a host and testing each of them out for several days.
I originally thought Michael Ian Black would have made a great host. He was always so funny & snarky on the clips on VH1's retrospectives of the different decades, like the 80's.
But, when he hosted The Late, Late Show, he just was too low energy and cerebral. When they found Craig Ferguson, they hit paydirt.But, took several weeks testing him out, before they finally made him permanent.
It will probably be the same way, with whoever Kelly ends up with.
I agree that it'll will take awhile to find the right co-host. I just think they aren't trying enough "unknowns". I also think they need to be on several times, like Kelly, because the first time is like an interview and I don't think their real personality always comes through.
Sometimes it feels like Kelly has to pull info from them, I think those ones can be crossed off the list.

I think they really hit pay dirt with Craig Ferguson, I don't think people realize how funny he truly is. He doesn't just tell jokes, he tells stories.
