The diminutive yet formidable Kelly Ripa has expertly transformed her bold decision to share hosting duties with her husband Mark Consuelos on 'Live!' into a television success story. The move has resulted in a remarkable spike in ratings, much to the delight of ABC executives.
Industry insiders revealed to The National ENQUIRER that the handsome Mark Consuelos, aged 52, was the natural selection to succeed Ryan Seacrest, as he had repeatedly demonstrated his capabilities as a guest co-host on the show.
An industry insider expressed, "Once again, Kelly has silenced her detractors and exceeded the expectations of her television superiors by overseeing the smooth host transition from Ryan to Mark, all executed with elegance, panache, and wit." The source continued, "Given the phenomenal way they are handling this, it's certain that both Kelly and Mark will receive a significant reward."
Under their shared stewardship, the show's ratings have soared, reaffirming Kelly's resilient nature, much like her predecessor Regis Philbin.
Kelly Ripa, now 52, joined the popular morning program in 2001, where she shared the stage with the late TV icon Regis Philbin until his departure in 2011. Michael Strahan subsequently stepped into the role, but he exited in 2016 for 'Good Morning America'. After a series of interim co-hosts, among whom was Kelly's husband and former soap opera star, Ryan Seacrest became a fixture on 'Live!'. Following a six-year tenure, Seacrest stepped back to focus on 'American Idol' and other ventures.
The same insider marveled, "It's simply astonishing that Kelly can steer the show through the shifts of three co-hosts and still witness growth." They added, "In an era when most daytime talk shows are waning, 'Live!' shines brightly as a rare success story."
The source concluded, "If Kelly hasn't already clinched the title of the highest-paid daytime talk show host, she's undoubtedly on track to do so."