Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos are happily married. And if they want to stay that way Mark better stay away from the chair vacated by Regis Philbin.
Ripa has been auditioning potential co-hosts since Regis left Live! With Regis and Kelly last year and the show has considered giving Ripa’s husband the job. But Ripa said that she wouldn’t be able to handle working everyday alongside her husband.
“No one would make me happier than Mark, but he values our marriage and he says that he doesn’t see how we could stay married and both do that show.”
Ripa has been joined by an endless list of celebrities on the show since Philbin’s departure. Jerry Seinfeld, Neil Patrick Harris, Seth Meyers, Pat Kiernan, D.L. Hughley, Jerry O’Connell, and Josh Groban have all had their turn sitting beside Kelly, but Ripa said it could take some more time to find the right co-host.
Ripa said:
“I’ve been through it from the other side. I sort of understand how it works, and what it is they’re looking for, and how this process can’t be rushed.”
Executive producer Michael Gelman added:
“Every day we come up with new ideas, and we get new revelations about who the new host should or shouldn’t be. The chemistry is key — and not just with Kelly, but with the audience and the staff and the format.”
Who do you think should be Kelly Ripa’s co-host on Live! With Kelly?
