Nicole Murphy -- Good Luck Filling Strahan's Shoes

Nicole Murphy says her ex-fiance Michael Strahan will be a tough act to follow on "Live" ... and the next to fill his chair better be funny.

Murphy, who had a 5-year engagement with Strahan was out with a group at Craig's in WeHo Friday night. Our photog asked who she thought could take Michael's place next to Kelly Ripa ... and while Nicole didn't have a certain person in mind, she did say they gotta make the audience laugh.

As for the unexpected divorce comment Ripa made to Michael on Friday's show, Nicole didn't have much to say ... but you can definitely tell she's still in Michael's corner.