BY PAULA SCHWARTZ

NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM

COMMENTARY

Our pal Roger Friedman over at Showbiz 411 reports that Saturday Night Live’s Seth Myers will most likely sit next to Kelly Ripa come next September. That co-host seat has been empty since Regis Philbin left over a year ago.

Friedman reports that three names are in the finals: Meyers, former football great Michael Strahan, and singer-songwriter Josh Groban.

Beginning Monday, Myers will do a five-day stint with Kelly. Beginning July 16, Groban will do the honors for three days. Friedman says it’s crucial they are hosting during the all-important July sweeps because the suits at Disney will make the final pick.

Hey, we admit we were gobsmacked too when we first heard the news about Seth Meyers, but Friedman’s got a great track record breaking news so we think he’s on to something.

Back in May, Strahan was mentioned all over the blogosphere as a possible successor to Philbin, but it has always seemed a comedian would make a much better fit.

As for Groban, we interviewed him on the red carpet at the Tony Awards, and although he’s talkative and very sweet, he’s a bit somber and serious. He told us his dream was to star in a Broadway revival of Stephen Sondheim’s “Sunday in the Park With George,” and that he was busy with music projects. He never mentioned any burning desire to co-host a morning show with the perky Ripa.