Kelly Ripa has reached a huge milestone and is celebrating 25 years on LIVE, but her future on the show appears uncertain.
The 55-year-old has admitted in the past that her role may not be forever, and in a new interview, she confessed that LIVE will continue long after her, as she doesn't "intend on working" forever.
"I always say this job and this place is so special, that I really do believe in this show as a franchise. It's a franchise show," she told Decider.
"Before me, there was Regis [Philbin] and Kathie Lee [Gifford]. And before Kathie Lee, there was Regis and a myriad of other hosts. I believe this show will continue on for as long as linear television exists."
She continued: "I believe that there are too many talented people out there that really deserve the opportunity to find their own audience and grow the audience the way they see fit. Because I don't intend to work for the rest of my life. I really do not."
© ABCWhile Kelly believes there will be an eventual exit date for her, she isn't worrying about it yet.
"I think we'll all make that decision when the time comes," she added. "I think there's a way to sort of get new people on board and have them test co-hosts, and get the audience used to other people. I think it's important. I love this show too much to see it sort of ever end with us."
© DisneyOpening up about her beginnings on LIVE, Kelly revealed that what drew her to the role initially was the "schedule", as it enabled her to work while raising her family. Kelly shares three children, Michael, 28, Lola, 24, and Joaquin, 22, with her husband and co-host, Mark Consuelos, 54.
"Working here has been unique to me in myriad ways because I've been able to work full-time professionally, and yet also raise a family, which is very different from most entertainers in this business," she explained.
© Disney"If you have a family, you're often having to take your kids out of school and move across the country, or move depending on what series you're working on, anywhere… And I was able to raise my kids in the same place, in the same town, going to the same school, all of their lives."
Kelly added: "That really appealed to me. I knew the show was special from watching it, but the work schedule was what really appealed to me initially."
© Getty ImagesHowever long Kelly decides to remain on LIVE, she is committed to continuing to deliver "the absurdity of the news" in the upbeat fashion viewers have come to love.
"Our job when we come on the air, we are fully cognizant that the viewers at home have had five hours of news programming. So we try to bring them a lighter, less anxiety-inducing side of what the headlines have to offer," she said.
