Ryan Seacrest Is Leaving “Live With Kelly And Ryan” And Will Be Replaced By Kelly Ripa’s Husband Mark Consuelos
Six years ago, noted insufferable TV gnome Ryan Seacrest’s diabolical grip on our television screens got tighter when he took the chair next to Kelly Ripa as permanent co-host of Live. Ryan took the job after Kelly’s previous co-host Michael Strahan left Live for Good Morning America on a wave of messiness. Kelly felt blindsided over Michael’s move to GMA and was pissed that ABC didn’t include her in the discussions. Well, Seacrest is now out of that show, and Kelly’s husband, Mark Consuelos, will take over. And Ryan’s exit seems a lot, lot less dramatic than Michael’s… unless he tries to take the studio’s in-house spray tan machine. If he tries that shit, Kelly will rage until her Botox melts!
Kelly Ripa and Ryan Seacrest announced this morning that Live with Kelly and Ryan will soon become Live with Kelly and Mark. Ryan let viewers know that he’s the anti-Michael Strahan because he talked about his exit with Kelly last year. And no, Ryan isn’t leaving the show because of more sexual misconduct allegations against him. Ryan explained on the show, which shoots in NYC, that he’s going back to L.A. to do American Idol and added on Instagram, that he’s going to continue to torment senses through his KIIS-FM radio show and his annual New Year’s Eve hosting job. Here’s some of what he said this morning:
“Kelly and I have some news here. This is something she and I have been talking about for a long time. It was a tough, tough decision. Last year, we spoke and I made the decision to make this my last season as co-host with Kel here on Live with Kelly and Ryan, which is bittersweet.
It’s remarkable to be able to sit in this chair. What I plan to do is once American Idol starts from Los Angeles later in the spring, I’ll head out to the West Coast and host that show, the 21st season of American Idol, from Los Angeles. AND you’re not getting rid of me because, Gelman, I’m coming back to guest host and fill in right in this show. But what I have to say to you [Kelly] as a dear friend coming in, as a best friend in this moment, to have your kindness, your thoughtfulness, your levity, your friendship; I look up to you, I respect you so much. I love the fact that we get to sit here every day and connect with you at home in your kitchens, living rooms, at work. There’s nothing like this on televison. I’m getting emotional. I promised Kelly I wouldn’t cry.”
Ryan added that working with Kelly for the past six years has been a dream job and that they’ll forever be friends. Kelly also tickled Ryan’s naglas something extra by blowing kisses of praise up his ass by saying that he was supposed to only co-host for three years, but lasted six and that she will miss starting her days with her “dear friend” Ryan. Here’s their announcement:
Kelly joined Live in 2001 after crooning box of Chardonnay Kathie Lee Gifford left. Kelly Ripa and Regis Philbin (RIP) hosted the show together until Reeg left in 2011. Michael Strahan became Kelly’s co-host in 2012 and left in 2016. Ryan joined the show the next year. And now it’s Mark’s turn. Mark Consuelos is a non-shocking choice for Ryan’s replacement since he has guest co-hosted many times, and ABC reportedly had their eyes on him as soon as they found out that Ryan was leaving. On his Instagram, Mark toasted goodbye to Ryan and toasted hello to his new permanent gig:
This news is good news for those who are always looking for a reason to get breakfast time drunk (KLG just perked up). They can take a drink every time Kelly and Mark continue to redefine TMI by telling us even more tales of their fuck life. I just felt a rumble in my insides. It’s either from that bag of discounted Valentine’s Day M&Ms I had for breakfast, or it’s from my already-traumatized liver quivering with fear over the thought of that dangerous drinking game.
Pics: Janet Mayer/Startraksphoto.com, JOHN NACION/startraksphoto.com