It’s called “Live! With Kelly and Ryan,” but it’s starting to look a lot like “Live With Kelly….And Someone Else.” The 50-year-old talk show queen, who has co-hosted the syndicated talk show since 2001, is now three days in a row without 45-year-old co-host Ryan Seacrest, with viewers likely wondering what the heck is going on. On Monday and Tuesday, Kelly Ripa was joined by temporary co-host and Bravo face Andy Cohen, with fans likely assuming Ryan would be back mid-week. He isn’t. Check it out below.
Scroll for today’s video. Kelly, who was with “American Idol” host Ryan last week, started getting fans talking on Monday, when Andy Cohen stepped in, with today seeing yet another high-profile male filling Seacrest’s shoes.
On Wednesday, it was journalist and CNN face Anderson Cooper, with Kelly and the 53-year-old seen before “Live!” aired as backstage, pre-show footage showed the duo making their way onto the set. Kelly even called Cooper a total treasure as she introduced him to the backstage coffee crew.
Kelly, who showed off a stunning Maison Margiela pleated skirt as she made her way through corridors with Cooper, offered no insight into why Ryan has been absent, although it wouldn’t be the first absence this year. The “Keeping Up With The Kardashians” producer made headlines in the fall for awaiting the results of a COVID test and taking the day “off,” leaving Kelly to hold down the fort.
Ryan, MIA, has been active on Instagram, though, sharing a post on Monday as he tapped his smartphone while seated in a directors-style chair. More after the video.
Comments on the “Live!” Instagram seem to be sending Cooper the thumbs-up.
“The BEST HOST CHAT!! The funniest host chat i’ve seen in a while. Kelly & Anderson are great together ????????,” one fan wrote.
“Kelly is with all her favorite men this week,” another joked – one man is clearly the blonde’s favorite, though, with Kelly making a giant hoopla recently as 49-year-old husband Marck Consuelos finally returned home to NYC after nearly four months shooting “Riverdale” out in Vancouver, Canada.
Kelly’s fans had a lot to talk about as she celebrated her 50th on October 2, with the major milestone bringing an interview, plus Kelly hinting that she may be done with “Live!”
Speaking to Parade, the former “All My Children” actress said: “I’ve been writing a lot, so my goal ultimately would be to eventually get off camera and start working behind the camera more in that creative aspect because I really do enjoy the writing process so much.”
Scroll for Kelly’s deep-squatting bedroom spandex workout!