Silke Jasso
Following Ryan Seacrest’s exit from Live with Kelly and Ryan, Mark Consuelos, Kelly Ripa’s husband, has reacted to the news that he will be the show’s new permanent co-host. The show is set to rebrand as Live with Kelly and Mark, and Ripa, who has been a part of the show since 2001, will host alongside Consuelos, 51, who has been a frequent guest of the show.
Videos by Rare
“This is going to be amazing!” the actor wrote in an Instagram post reacting to the happy news. “I can’t believe after all these years of listening to you talk for free, I found a way to get paid for it. Is this a great country or what? ❤️”
Consuelos went on to congratulate Seacrest, 48, on his “next chapter,” which includes him heading back to Los Angeles to host American Idol Season 21. “I love you like a brother,” he stated before joking that he had “big shoes to fill.” “Well actually they’re only a size 9, but you know what I mean.”
Ryan Seacrest Makes An Announcement
During Thursday’s show, Seacrest announced his departure. In response, Ripa thanked Seacrest for enduring “six winters” in New York City and expressed her appreciation for him. “Welcome home @instasuelos,” she said in an Instagram post, addressing her husband and the new co-host. “Or to the contractual obligation phase of our relationship.”
In a statement, the show’s executive producer, Michael Gelman, revealed his excitement about welcoming Consuelos to the Live family. “Gelman said in a statement. “Having him join the show is so special for us and we’re sure that viewers will feel the same,” he stated.
“It was a tough, tough decision,” he said during Thursday’s broadcast. “Last year, we spoke and I made the decision to make this my last season as co-host with Kel, here, on Live with Kelly and Ryan, which is bittersweet,” Seacrest said about his exit.
“Big Shoes to Fill”
“I have to say to you as a dear friend coming in and as a best friend in this moment, to have your kindness, your thoughtfulness, your levity, your friendship — I look up to you, I respect you so much.”
“I love the fact that we get the chance to sit here every day and connect with you at home in your kitchens, your living rooms, at work,” he went on to add. “There’s nothing like this on television.”
In a statement, Seacrest stated that “working alongside Kelly over the past six years has been a dream job and one of the highlights of my career.” He went on to s ay he will miss working with his “amazing partner, friend, and confidant” on a daily basis, but is excited for Consuelos to take over.
“It’s been a memorable ride and now I’m excited to pass the baton to Kelly’s ‘real’ husband, Mark,” he stated.
