Meriden Resident a Finalist to Co-Host Live! with Kelly

He says that his dream is to be a talk show host, and 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 tomorrow, 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 may finally have his chance to sit in the coveted high-top seat next to Ripa, at least for one show, on July 24.

Ripa and her guest co-host Seth Meyers will announce the winners during Thursday's show.

Editor's Note: The article was clarified to say that if Buckley should win the competition he will have a chance to co-host with Ripa on July 24.