Live with Kelly and Mark

Live with Kelly and Mark (or simply Live) is an American syndicated morning talk show hosted by married couple Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos. Executive produced by Michael Gelman, the Live with... show formula has aired under various hosts since 1983 locally on WABC-TV in New York City and 1988 nationwide. As of 2016, it is produced by WABC.[1]

Live with Kelly and Mark
Also known as
  • The Morning Show (1983–1988)
  • Live with Regis and Kathie Lee (1988–2000)
  • Live with Regis (2000–2001)
  • Live with Regis and Kelly (2001–2011)
  • Live with Kelly (2011–2012, 2016–2017)
  • Live with Kelly and Michael (2012–2016)
  • Live with Kelly and Ryan (2017–2023)
GenreTalk show
Presented by
Announcer
Theme music composerGabriel Saientz
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons36
No. of episodes7,580 (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producers
  • Michael Gelman
  • Kelly Ripa (2016–present)
  • Ryan Seacrest (2017–2023)
Production locationsManhattan, New York (1983–present)
Running time42 minutes
Production companyWABC-TV
Original release
Network
ReleaseApril 4, 1983 (1983-04-04) –
present

With roots in A.M. Los Angeles and A.M. New York, Live began as The Morning Show, hosted by Regis Philbin and Cyndy Garvey; the show rose to national prominence as Live with Regis and Kathie Lee when Philbin was joined by Kathie Lee Gifford. The franchise has had longstanding success and has won the Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Talk Show and Outstanding Talk Show Hosts.[2] Since April 2023, the show has been hosted by Ripa and her husband, Mark Consuelos. Prior to Consuelos, Ripa previously co-hosted the show with Philbin, Michael Strahan, and Ryan Seacrest.

Production

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Concept

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Executive producer Michael Gelman said in 1993, "The real concept of the show, in a symbolic sense, is that they are husband and wife. They have their coffee mugs and they're chit-chatting about what's going on." It is the basis of the show's signature "Host Chat", an unscripted on-air conversation between the co-hosts that opens each show. Following Host Chat is a trivia segment in which the show telephones a home viewer, who must answer a question (usually about a guest on a recent show) to win a vacation for themselves and a door prize for a member of the studio audience. Shortly before the COVID-19 pandemic, the hosts started playing a new game with the contestant before the trivia question, wherein the caller gives the host two statements, one true and one false. If the hosts are stumped, the caller wins a "Live with Kelly and Mark" mug. The show then continues with interviews with celebrity guests, musical performances, and other recurring segments, including regular features showcasing fashion, food, health, and lifestyle topics.[3]

The husband and wife breakfast chat program was popular in old time radio, beginning with Ed and Pegeen Fitzgerald, and later Dick Kollmar and Dorothy Kilgallen and Tex McCrary and Jinx Falkenburg. Parodied by Woody Allen in his film Radio Days, these programs were popular locally in New York, and Philbin would have heard them in his youth.

The format of Live! has been emulated by other successful talk shows such as the British programmes This Morning and Today with Des and Mel. However, it has also proven to be resilient against similarly formatted talk shows from other syndicators or networks, seeing programs such as George & Alana, Donny & Marie, Living It Up! with Ali & Jack, The Morning Show with Mike and Juliet, and Anderson Live all launch and end in short periods of time throughout its entire run, and fail to make any headway in the traditional 9 a.m. local time slot Live! has been traditionally slotted in for most markets.

The show is broadcast live from New York City, on weekdays at 9 a.m. for stations in the Eastern Time Zone, and is tape-delayed for the rest of the country. Most affiliates also rebroadcast Live during the overnight hours. Although the program is generally associated with the ABC network and airs on all ABC owned-and-operated stations, in many markets the program is syndicated to stations affiliated with other networks.[4] Live did not air in a morning timeslot on all ABC-owned stations until September 2013, as WLS-TV in Chicago programmed the 9 a.m. timeslot with The Oprah Winfrey Show---WLS-TV was the originating station for Oprah in the 1980s---and then with Windy City Live after Oprah concluded its run in 2011. Although WLS-TV had carried the New York-based Live in an overnight timeslot earlier in its run, the show aired on other Chicago stations, including WGN-TV from 2002 through 2013.[5][6]

Recurring segments

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Guinness World Record Breaker Week, New York Auto Show Week, Broadway Week, and Top Teacher Week are examples of features frequently visited on the show, highlighting a different aspect of the theme everyday that week. Live will also invite "whiz kids" to oppose the co-hosts at spelling, athletics, mathematics, sport stacking, and technology, among other tasks. A recurring gag with Philbin as co-host was him challenging seniors—preferably over the age of 100—at tennis, basketball, ping-pong, and bowling, for example. Regular contributors to the show include toy enthusiast Chris Byrne, style maven Lawrence Zarian, animal expert Peter Gros, automotive expert Alan Taylor, pediatrician Greg Yapalater, home and gardening show host Katie Brown, technology specialist Leo Laporte, entrepreneur Carley Roney, Science Bob, veterinarian Jennifer Jellison, and nutrition expert Wendy Bazilian.[7]

Specials

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The show has hosted a number of specials over the years since it began. Specials have included a Halloween celebration in which the co-hosts wore dozens of costumes and portrayed some of the most famous and infamous names in pop culture.[8]

In February 2011, Live threw a wedding for a couple who wrote in with reasons why they should be married on the show.[9] Viewer submissions have also been accepted for their "Moms Dream Come True Special", where the co-hosts pay tribute to a select group of mothers.[10][11] The show has aired a Post-Oscar special the day after the awards ceremony live from the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood.[12]

On location

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Live has been to eight countries and nearly 25 states, logging 200,000 miles (320,000 km).[13] The list of remotes includes Tampa, Hawaii, Monaco, Banff, San Antonio, Aspen, Walt Disney World, New Orleans, Disneyland, Las Vegas, San Francisco, Paris, Detroit, Chicago, The Bronx, Los Angeles, the USS Intrepid, Minneapolis–Saint Paul, Maui, Prince Edward Island, London, Scottsdale, the White House, Charlotte, Churchill Downs, Niagara Falls, Puerto Rico, Marina del Rey, Philadelphia, Branson, Mount Rushmore, The Bahamas, and the Dolby Theatre's set for the 85th Academy Awards.

History

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Co-host timeline

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  Main co-host
  Recurring co-host
  Guest co-host
  Segment guest
Co-hosts timeline
Co-host
Years
Seasons
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37
Regis Philbin 1988–2011
Kathie Lee Gifford 1988–2000
Kelly Ripa 2001–present
Michael Strahan 2012–2016
Ryan Seacrest 2017–2023
Mark Consuelos 2023–present

1983–1988: The Morning Show

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The Morning Show, co-hosted by Regis Philbin and Cyndy Garvey, premiered locally on WABC-TV in New York on April 4, 1983. In 1984, Garvey left the show and Philbin hired Ann Abernathy, whom he remembered from his time at KABC for her engaging personality, to assume the co-host duties.[14] After Abernathy got married and decided to return to Los Angeles, Kathie Lee Johnson (later Gifford) joined Philbin officially on June 24, 1985. Their chemistry proved to be successful as The Morning Show soon became number 1 in the market[15] and went on to debut in national syndication on September 5, 1988, when the title was changed to Live with Regis and Kathie Lee.

1988–2000: Live with Regis and Kathie Lee

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Early on, Live matched its local success with impressive national ratings and established itself as a dominant fixture in American television.[16] Entertainment Weekly described Regis Philbin and Kathie Lee Gifford as "an agreeable mismatch" and their famous banter as "playful, edgy, and amusing."[17] Gifford's positivity throughout public scandals such as the 1996 accusation that her clothing line was being run under sweatshop conditions and her husband Frank Gifford's 1997 affair with a flight attendant resonated with the female demographic of the show, but ultimately made her a media target prompting her emotional departure on July 28, 2000. "Over a third of my life has been [at Live]," she said. "This is family. It is been an amazing journey."[14] Gifford appeared on Live! with Regis and Kelly on three occasions, for the show's 20th Anniversary special on September 14, 2007, to promote her book Just When I Thought I'd Dropped My Last Egg: Life and Other Calamities on April 14, 2009, and again as a guest to bid farewell to Philbin on his second to last show, November 17, 2011. Gifford went on to host the fourth hour of Today with Hoda Kotb; that show mainly airs an hour after Live! in most markets, though a few markets where both shows air at 10:00 a.m. against each other do exist.

2000–2001: Live with Regis

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When looking for Gifford's replacement, Philbin and executive producer Michael Gelman teamed Philbin with a handful of potential co-hosts, including Joy Philbin, Kathleen Murphy, Rosie O'Donnell, Jann Carl, Whoopi Goldberg, Kathy Fountain, Gloria Estefan, Jillian Reynolds, Lisa Rinna, Caroline Rhea, and Suzanne Sena. This met with positive fan response and a 26 percent ratings increase.[18] Philbin won his first Daytime Emmy Award for Live during this period. Ripa auditioned four months into the search, on November 1, 2000.[19] Three months later, on the morning of February 5, 2001, Philbin officially announced that Ripa would replace Gifford as his new permanent co-host.[20]

2001–2011: Live! with Regis and Kelly

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Ripa's co-hosting duties began the following week, on February 12, 2001.[20] The young-audience demographic of Live! with Regis and Kelly increased by 80 percent, with Ripa credited by major outlets such as the Chicago Tribune and Entertainment Weekly for bringing a new life to the show (dubbed "the Ripa effect").[21][22] Seven months into Philbin's and Ripa's run, the September 11 attacks on the United States occurred, with coverage beginning twelve minutes before that day's episode would have started. The show was pre-empted for a week following the attacks and returned September 18, 2001.

Together they hosted the annual Disney Parks Christmas Day Parade during this era. In 2009, when Philbin underwent hip surgery, Nick Cannon replaced him as the host for that year's Christmas special. Ryan Seacrest also took Philbin's place on occasion. Ripa later had a stress fracture, which made it necessary for her to host the show on crutches. At times Maria Menounos filled in for Ripa, who was elsewhere on assignment for the show.

Shortly after celebrating his and Ripa's 10th anniversary together, Philbin announced on January 18, 2011, that he would leave Live!.[23] The show then held a "Regis Farewell Celebration Season", showcasing Philbin's top moments from his 28 years on the program, 1983–2011.[24] His final show aired November 18, 2011.[25]

Live! with Regis and Kelly won two Daytime Emmy Awards during its run.

2011–2012: Live! with Kelly (first era)

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After Philbin's departure, the show was renamed Live! with Kelly. Joining Ripa were various co-hosts from broadcasting and entertainment. On November 21, 2011, Jerry Seinfeld was the first of 60[26] men and women to join Ripa at the co-host desk: Reggie Bush, Kyle MacLachlan, Russell Brand, Howie Mandel, Carl Edwards, Chris Harrison, Daniel Radcliffe, Michael Buckley, Michael Catherwood, Rob Lowe, Martin Short, Neil Patrick Harris, Peter Facinelli, Boomer Esiason, Ben Mulroney, Dan Abrams, Rob Thomas, David Duchovny, Pat Kiernan, Derek Hough, D. L. Hughley, Jesse Palmer, Carson Kressley, Carrie Ann Inaba, Mark Feuerstein, Jim Parsons, Nick Lachey, Jonah Hill, Michael Strahan, Apolo Anton Ohno, Joel McHale, Cat Deeley, Tyler Perry, Andy Cohen, Alec Baldwin, Josh Groban, Jerry O'Connell, Seth Meyers, Mike Greenberg, Kristin Chenoweth, Andy Samberg, Mark Consuelos, Lucy Liu, Taye Diggs, Randy Jackson, Mario Lopez, Matthew Broderick, Mary J. Blige, Ed Robertson, Michael Bublé, Matthew Morrison, Kevin Jonas, Tony Potts, Dana Carvey, Jimmy Kimmel, Kim Kardashian, L.A. Reid, Bryant Gumbel, Daniel Dae Kim, Jussie Smollett, and Sam Champion.[27][additional citation(s) needed]

In April 2012, Live! debuted a new set described as a "contemporary downtown-style loft, spacious and yet maintaining the studio's warmth and intimacy."[28] It was the first major set re-design since the start of the show's 10th season in national syndication (1997–98).

In July 2012, People magazine reported that Meyers, Groban, and Strahan were the top three contenders to replace Philbin.[29]

2012–2016: Live with Kelly and Michael

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On the September 4, 2012, episode, Michael Strahan made his 16th appearance on the show and was introduced as Ripa's permanent co-host. The former New York Giants defensive end had begun his TV career on Fox NFL Sunday, a job he said he would keep even though it shoots in Los Angeles. The Ripa-Strahan chemistry proved to be successful. Live With Kelly & Michael had been the No. 2 syndicated talk show averaging a 2.8 national rating over Strahan's entire tenure while Live With Regis & Kelly averaged a 2.6. Live With Kelly & Michael brought in 268,000 more audience members daily, on average, than the show attracted during the end of the Philbin run.[30] On January 19, 2016, the show was renewed through at least the 2019–2020 season.[31]

On April 19, 2016, it was announced that Strahan would leave Live to join Good Morning America full-time.[32] The decision was revealed to the program's production staff just after that day's broadcast of Live, and officially announced on the program by Strahan the following day. Ripa, however, was absent from that day's episode, and ABC announced later in the day that Live would have guest co-hosts through April 25, 2016. Although speculated to have been a reaction to Strahan's abrupt exit, an ABC staff member stated to Variety that Ripa's sudden absence was a "pre-scheduled vacation".[33]

Ripa returned on April 26, 2016, using the opening of the episode to address the reception to Strahan's exit, and ABC's continued commitment to Live as a series. She said she was annoyed that ABC had not given her advance notice of negotiations to move Strahan to GMA.[34] Strahan's final episode on Live occurred on May 13, 2016, and featured several flashback moments from the four years that he co-hosted the show.

2016–2017: Live with Kelly (second era)

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On May 16, 2016, Ripa began the second era of her Live career as a single host. Jimmy Kimmel joined her as her first guest co-host.

2017–2023: Live with Kelly and Ryan

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On May 1, 2017, it was announced that Ryan Seacrest would succeed Strahan as the new permanent co-host, after a yearlong syndicated co-host search. Seacrest also joined as an executive producer to the show.[35][36][37]

On September 5, 2017, Live updated the show's look with a new, modern logo, modifications to the studio, and a brand-new show opener.

In March 2020, the show began broadcasting remotely from the hosts' homes due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[38] During this period, Philbin died on July 25. On August 26, 2020, it was announced that the 33rd season would premiere on September 7, with the show returning to its New York City studio the next day.[39][40] The premiere did not have a studio audience and the hosts were seated six feet apart.[41] Beginning with the 2020–21 season, Disney Media Distribution began to authorize the show's ABC affiliates to run the show a second time daily in an overnight timeslot, allowing late night viewers to watch the show or record it, even if it were pre-empted by breaking news.

2023–present: Live with Kelly and Mark

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On February 16, 2023, Seacrest announced that he would be leaving Live in spring 2023, primarily due to the travel, as his primary residence is in Los Angeles, while the show tapes in New York City. Mark Consuelos, husband of Ripa, was announced as Seacrest's replacement.[42][43] The final episode of Live with Kelly and Ryan aired on April 14, 2023. On April 17, the first episode of Live with Kelly and Mark premiered. The show currently airs live shows Mondays to Wednesdays, and pre-taped shows on Thursdays and Fridays.

Critical reception

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The New York Daily News gave the program a positive review: "…When it comes to the amount and playfulness of morning talk, nothing beats Live."[44] In 2001, 2011, 2012, 2015, and 2016 the show won the Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Talk Show Hosts and in its 24th year, after 21 nominations, it won the Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Talk Show. In addition, its co-hosts have received two TV Guide Award nominations for Favorite Daytime Talk Show and multiple People's Choice nominations for Favorite Talk Show Host.

According to daytime television ratings, viewership averages 5 million per episode,[45] ranking #1 in all big markets, such as New York City, Pittsburgh, Los Angeles, Chicago, Philadelphia, Dallas, San Francisco, and Miami. Dominating its time periods, Live is the top-rated morning show and regularly the #1 syndicated talk show.[46] Live also airs on Canadian TV network Citytv.

References

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  1. ^ Steinberg, Brian (April 20, 2016). "ABC's Morning Madness: Will Michael Strahan Blitz Score Touchdowns For 'GMA,' 'Live'?". Variety. Archived from the original on April 20, 2016. Retrieved April 20, 2016. The morning-news crew from WABC, which produces the program, simply turn around after their local duties and work on 'Live,' which has been led for years by executive producer Michael Gelman.
  2. ^ "Daytime Emmy for 'Live!'" Archived July 1, 2017, at the Wayback Machine.
  3. ^ "LIVE! with Kelly". Disney ABC Domestic TV Medianet. Archived from the original on February 17, 2015. Retrieved September 5, 2012.
  4. ^ Disney-ABC Domestic Television. "Live with Kelly and Michael Local Listings". Archived from the original on August 31, 2015. Retrieved August 26, 2015.
  5. ^ Knox, Merrill (June 20, 2013). "WLS Adds 'Live With Kelly and Michael,' Drops 11 a.m. Newscast". TVSpy. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved August 26, 2015.
  6. ^ Feder, Robert (May 13, 2012). "Daytime drama: How will ABC 7 make room for Katie & Kelly?". Time Out Chicago. Archived from the original on November 6, 2015. Retrieved August 26, 2015.
  7. ^ Latest Features Archived November 26, 2011, at the Wayback Machine.
  8. ^ Exciting Roster of Guest Co-Hosts Archived May 10, 2013, at the Wayback Machine.
  9. ^ 'Live!' Heads to Paradise from The Futon Critic
  10. ^ "Kelly Ripa talks about her first splurge - The unconventional gift for her mother". The Times of India. April 30, 2024. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved October 23, 2024.
  11. ^ "Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos on Marriage, Kids and Co-Hosting Live: 'It's Going to Be Off the Rails!'". People.com. Retrieved October 23, 2024.
  12. ^ ""Live! With Kelly" Presents A Special One-Hour Post-Oscar Show Live From The Kodak Theatre In Hollywood". TVbytheNumbers. Archived from the original on September 4, 2012.
  13. ^ Around the World in 28 Years Archived September 9, 2012, at the Wayback Machine.
  14. ^ a b How I Got This Way Archived March 5, 2012, at the Wayback Machine.
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  18. ^ Fans love the new format Archived February 3, 2016, at the Wayback Machine.
  19. ^ A Revealing Audition Archived May 21, 2013, at the Wayback Machine.
  20. ^ a b "Ripa Goes Live With Regis". ABC News. February 6, 2001. Retrieved October 3, 2023.
  21. ^ "Regis who? Fans of 'Live!' only have eyes for Kelly Ripa". Chicago Tribune. January 9, 2002. Archived from the original on October 4, 2023. Retrieved September 29, 2023.
  22. ^ Cruz, Clarissa; March 08, Nicholas Fonseca Updated; EST, 2002 at 05:00 AM. "The Ripa Effect". EW.com. Archived from the original on October 4, 2023. Retrieved September 29, 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  23. ^ Ask Regis Philbin A Question! Archived April 16, 2012, at the Wayback Machine from huffingtonpost.com
  24. ^ 'Live!' Kicks Off "Regis Farewell Celebration" Archived February 25, 2014, at the Wayback Machine from abcmedianet.com
  25. ^ Philbin's Last Guests Archived December 17, 2011, at the Wayback Machine.
  26. ^ Jerry Seinfeld joins Kelly Ripa for first post-Regis 'Live!' shows Archived September 21, 2017, at the Wayback MachineScreener, November 1, 2011.
  27. ^ Schneider, Michael (September 15, 2011). "Live Producer announces how they will replace Reege". TV Guide. Archived from the original on April 19, 2013. Retrieved December 5, 2011.
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  29. ^ Schwartz, Alison (July 6, 2012). "Seth Meyers: Should He Join Kelly Ripa on Live!?". People. Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved July 6, 2012.
  30. ^ "Michael Strahan Lifted TV Ratings for 'Live' With Kelly Ripa". April 21, 2016. Archived from the original on April 28, 2016. Retrieved May 11, 2016.
  31. ^ Littleton, Cynthia (January 19, 2016). "ABC Stations Renew 'Live with Kelly and Michael,' 'Who Wants to Be a Millionaire'". Variety. Archived from the original on February 6, 2016. Retrieved April 20, 2016.
  32. ^ Steinberg, Brian (April 19, 2016). "Michael Strahan Quits 'Live' To Join ABC's 'Good Morning America'". Variety. Archived from the original on April 20, 2016. Retrieved April 20, 2016.
  33. ^ "Inside Kelly Ripa's Awkward Absence From 'Live'". Variety. April 20, 2016. Archived from the original on April 21, 2016. Retrieved April 21, 2016.
  34. ^ "Kelly Ripa Strikes a Powerful Chord in Her Return to Live!". Time. April 26, 2016. Archived from the original on April 28, 2016. Retrieved April 26, 2016.
  35. ^ "Live with Kelly and Ryan Debuts Today, as Ryan Seacrest Joins Kelly Ripa as "Live's" New Permanent Co-Host" (Press release). Disney–ABC Domestic Television. May 1, 2017. Retrieved August 26, 2020 – via The Futon Critic.
  36. ^ Melas, Chloe; Stelter, Brian (May 1, 2017). "Ryan Seacrest is Kelly Ripa's new co-host on 'Live'". CNNMoney. Archived from the original on May 1, 2017. Retrieved May 1, 2017.
  37. ^ Lacey Rose (May 1, 2017). "Ryan Seacrest Tapped as Live With Kelly Co-Host". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on May 1, 2017. Retrieved May 1, 2017.
  38. ^ Samantha Schnurr (March 23, 2020). "Kelly Ripa and Ryan Seacrest Broadcast Live From Home With Mark Consuelos". E! Online. Archived from the original on June 24, 2020. Retrieved August 26, 2020.
  39. ^ "Live with Kelly and Ryan Returns for Its 33rd Season in National Syndication the Week of Sept. 7" (Press release). Disney Media Networks. August 26, 2020. Retrieved August 26, 2020 – via The Futon Critic.
  40. ^ Aurelie Corinthios (August 26, 2020). "Kelly Ripa and Ryan Seacrest Will Return to the Studio Next Month to Host Live with Kelly and Ryan". People. Archived from the original on August 27, 2020. Retrieved August 26, 2020.
  41. ^ Eric Todisco (September 8, 2020). "Kelly Ripa and Ryan Seacrest Reunite to Host Live In-Studio After 180 Days Apart". People. Archived from the original on September 9, 2020. Retrieved September 9, 2020.
  42. ^ Greg Evans (February 16, 2023). "Ryan Seacrest Announces He Will Leave Live With Kelly And Ryan This Spring; Replacement Is Mark Consuelos". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on April 14, 2023. Retrieved February 16, 2023.
  43. ^ Jennifer Maas (February 16, 2023). "Ryan Seacrest to Exit Live With Kelly and Ryan, Mark Consuelos Joins as Kelly Ripa's Co-Host". Variety. Archived from the original on April 1, 2023. Retrieved February 16, 2023.
  44. ^ Releases Archived February 17, 2015, at the Wayback Machine.
  45. ^ "'Live' Takes Top Talk Show Honors". TV by the Numbers. December 1, 2011. Archived from the original on December 2, 2011. Retrieved September 22, 2016.
  46. ^ "'LIVE! With Kelly' Grows in Target Markets and Demos". TV by the Numbers. March 1, 2012. Archived from the original on March 4, 2012. Retrieved September 22, 2016.
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