Silke Jasso
Ryan Seacrest celebrated his final day as co-host of Live With Kelly and Ryan in an episode that celebrated his six years on the show. Kelly Ripa went on to deliver a tear-jerking speech at the end of the episode, revealing how much Seacrest meant to her.
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“This has without question been the fastest six years of my life,” Ripa stated. “Although you and I have been friends for decades and decades, I feel like I have gained through this process a younger brother-slash-older son. That’s how I feel about you. It’s the weirdest feeling.”
She continued, “For many years, Ryan’s ability to be the person featuring the talents of other people, that’s been part of his job, right? But on our show, I feel like you got to show off your immeasurable talents to the world, to our audience, to our viewers.”
She went on to gush about the American Idol host’s “goodness, kind, charm, brilliance, authenticity and generosity,” becoming visibly teary-eyed.
Ryan Seacrest Gets Emotional
“We reserve the right as a company to troll you on all social media platforms and we will all keep our same mailing addresses in case there is ever a wedding invitation, just in case,” she went on to joke.
“But seriously, from the bottom of my heart and from the bottom of all our hearts, we just want to thank you for being wonderful, for being an original, authentic addition to this show,” Ripa said as she ended her speech. “You are forever our family. We will never say goodbye to you. We will only say see you soon. I love you.”
Seacrest went on to hug his co-star, saying, “There is nobody in the world that can have you crying and then laughing and crying within two seconds.”
He quickly went on to deliver a farewell speech, revealing what the show and Ripa have meant to him during his time on the show.
“I’m a very lucky man, Kelly. I want you all to know it’s not lost on me how fortunate I am,” Seacrest stated. “I’ve spent my entire career talking — talking on the radio, talking on television — I mean, words are my bread and butter, it’s my wheelhouse, but today it’s hard to put into words how deeply I’ve appreciated being here and being with you, being invited into your homes every day to try and deliver a smile or a laugh or two.”
Kelly Ripa & Mark Consuelos on Co-Hosting ‘Live’
He went on to joke that he was blessed with several great memories, saying, “I was refreshed on most of those memories moments ago.” He said he’ll “relish those memories and relive those memories forever.”
“I so appreciate your leadership, your love, your wisdom, and I really do feel like a family member and we’ll have that forever,” Seacrest said holding Ripa’s hand. “And I will miss you the second we say goodbye today — at least for the weekend.”
For the special episode, Seacrest’s family and his girlfriend Aubrey attended the show. First lady Dr. Jill Biden was also in attendance for Seacrest’s last episode, in which she said it was “bittersweet” to see him leave the show.
Ripa also shared several montages looking back at his most memorable moments. “These six years together have been so much fun and you have made us all fall in love with you. I mean, I’ve been in love with you, but now everybody is in love with you — and here’s why,” Ripa said as she showed the montage.
“Over the past six years, you’ve given us more than just laughs,” Ripa continued. “Together, we’ve enjoyed the good times and we’ve supported each other during the tough times — and I, for one, have grown accustomed to seeing your face every morning.”
The show ended with Mark Consuelos, Seaccrest’s replacement, bringing him out a sardine cake, as Seacrest passed the “baton,” a mug,” to Consuelos officially marking the changing of co-hosts.
