Kelly Ripa is looking forward to seemingly many more years of co-hosting LIVE in its various iterations, currently LIVE with Kelly and Mark.
The actress, 55, has been hosting the beloved daytime talk show with her husband Mark Consuelos, 54, since April of 2023, and apparently, there's no reason not to keep a good thing going!
© Getty ImagesEarlier this month, Kelly celebrated 25 years co-hosting LIVE, first joining Regis Philbin officially in 2001 (after guest hosting with him the year prior upon Kathie Lee Gifford's departure).
That lasted until 2011, following which she was joined for a four-year stint by Michael Strahan. Michael left in 2016 to become the co-anchor of Good Morning America, with Kelly's good friend Ryan Seacrest stepping to the plate. The American Idol host maintained his role until 2023.
© Getty ImagesIn the wake of the show's milestone anniversary, Kelly spoke with Variety about her tenure on the show, joking that she had no idea her time on it would last this long. "When I tell you I never knew it was going to be a long-term thing — I'm still on the fence about it being a long-term thing! The fact that we are celebrating my 25th anniversary does not seem real to me."
When asked whether she sees an end goal for herself, she remarked that she had pondered the very same question herself, deciding to then seek advice from none other than Oprah Winfrey. "Let me give Oprah credit. She left her show at the 25-year mark, and I said to her, 'Should this be my signal?'" she shared.
Oprah's advice? "She's like, 'Don't leave. Don't do it. Right now, you'll regret it,'" noting particularly that having the husband and wife duo co-host is a winning formula they shouldn't give up on.
"With you and Mark, the dynamic, the show is more important than ever. People really relate to it, and they need that in this world of a lot of darkness and an endless 24-hour, never-ending news cycle," Kelly recalled Oprah telling her.
© Getty ImagesThe mom-of-three then quipped: "I need to actually ask her, 'You said not to leave at 25, but what year? What are we thinking? Give me an idea of how far beyond 25 I should go.' But I always say, if it ain't broke, don't fix it. We are really having a very good time."
She further said that she wanted to see the show through and "stay on the air as long as linear TV lives," although also saying that for her, the future of the show itself matters more so than having her be at the helm.
© ABC"The show is far more important than any two hosts, so I just want the show to live forever because it's a really, really great piece of history," Kelly continued. "It's also a great way for people to have worry-free TV that they can watch with their kids."
