After more than two decades on the air, television personality Kelly Ripa has candidly discussed her potential departure from hosting the popular morning talk show Live with Kelly and Mark. The 55-year-old host, who currently co-leads the program with her husband Mark Consuelos, 54, opened up about her future plans in a recent interview with Decider, coinciding with the show's 25th anniversary milestone.
Ripa's Retirement Considerations
While expressing deep affection for her role, Ripa hinted that her tenure might be concluding sooner rather than later. "Contrary to what everyone around here thinks, I don't intend on working for the rest of my life," she admitted frankly. "But I think we'll all make that decision when the time comes."
The veteran host emphasized her commitment to ensuring a smooth transition when she eventually steps away. She revealed concrete plans for identifying and training potential successors to maintain the show's legacy. "I think there's a way to sort of get new people on board and have them test co-hosts, and get the audience used to other people," Ripa explained. "I think it's important. I love this show too much to see it sort of ever end with us."
Preserving the Show's Legacy
Ripa expressed strong confidence in the program's enduring appeal and franchise potential, drawing parallels to previous hosting eras. "For me, I always say this job and this place is so special, that I really do believe in this show as a franchise," she elaborated. "Before me, there was Regis Philbin and Kathie Lee Gifford. And before Kathie Lee, there was Regis and a myriad of other hosts."
She predicted continued success for the format, stating: "I believe this show will continue on for as long as linear television exists. I believe that there are too many talented people out there that really deserve the opportunity to find their own audience and grow the audience the way they see fit."
The Show's Unique Appeal
Reflecting on what initially attracted her to the program, Ripa recalled being a devoted viewer long before becoming a host. "I really thought it was very funny, very irreverent, there was nothing else on TV like it," she gushed about the show's distinctive tone.
However, she identified the manageable schedule as the decisive factor that cemented her commitment twenty-five years ago. This arrangement allowed her to balance professional responsibilities with raising her three children—Michael, 28, Lola, 24, and Joaquin, 22—whom she shares with Consuelos.
"Working here has been unique to me in myriad ways because I've been able to work full-time professionally, and yet also raise a family, which is very different from most entertainers in this business," Ripa noted. "I was able to raise my kids in the same place, in the same town, going to the same school, all of their lives. That really appealed to me. I knew the show was special from watching it, but the work schedule was what really appealed to me initially."
Formula for Longevity
When asked about the program's remarkable endurance, Ripa attributed its success to relatable content and a distinctive approach to current events. "We cover the issues that people have in their own homes," she explained. "We're very irreverent. We cover the news, but we cover the absurdity of the news. We cover the absurd."
She detailed the hosts' conscious effort to provide viewers with a lighter alternative to traditional news programming. "Our job when we come on the air, we are fully cognizant that the viewers at home have had five hours of news programming. So we try to bring them a lighter, less anxiety-inducing side of what the headlines have to offer."
Ripa concluded by reaffirming her dedication to the show's future, promising that Live with Kelly and Mark would continue to flourish even after her eventual departure, with careful planning ensuring new talent can carry forward the program's unique spirit and audience connection.
