ABC Execs Ecstatic & Relieved Ryan Seacrest Quit 'Live with Kelly and Ryan'
By MLC on February 21, 2023 at 5:15 PM EST
Ryan Seacrest’s departure from “Live with Kelly and Ryan” can’t come soon enough.
According to sources close to ABC, executives at the network are ecstatic about Seacrest’s decision.
They are convinced that ratings will skyrocket once he vacates the co-host seat and Kelly Ripa’s husband, Mark Consuelos, comes in.
ABC Excited That Ryan Seacrest Is Quitting!
The “Riverdale” star will take over as permanent co-host this spring.
The real-life couple have insane chemistry, as you can imagine, and ABC execs are excited to showcase this on a daily basis.
“ABC has been eager to replace Seacrest with Mark,” an insider told DailyMail.com. “Mark and Kelly have TV magic. Viewers can't get enough watching the sparks between them whenever he fills in for Ryan.”
One high-placed TV source revealed, “They [ABC] wanted to capitalize on that, so there weren't exactly tears shed when Ryan started talking about leaving.”
Ratings Expected To Skyrocket When Consuelos Comes In Full Time!
Talks of the TV personality’s departure began last summer.
The announcement came as a shock to his millions of fans and fans of the show, but according those close to him on set, this was a long time coming.
According to reports, Seacrest often appeared “exhausted” after taping the morning talk-show, and fatigue has been the main contributor to his increased absences over the past six months.
Mind you, Seacrest also serves as the host of “American Idol” and his syndicated radio show, “On-Air With Ryan Seacrest,” among several other projects.
It goes without saying, the man is BOOKED & BUSY!
Ryan Seacrest Often Appeared Exhausted After Taping 'Live'
Per a Page Six report, industry sources revealed that Seacrest’s multiple missed appearances “all led up to ABC chiefs quietly formalizing a deal last week for Ripa’s husband, Mark Consuelos, to take over full-time as her co-host.”
They also revealed that only a small team of people was clued into Consuelos’ plan.
“Some of Ryan’s absences created tension with everyone involved on the show,” said the insider. “But everyone cares about him and respects him and just wants to make sure he’s OK.”
His Departure Has Been A Long Time Coming!
“His time has just come. He did his bit when he came in to replace Michael Strahan and has done a fine job for six years. And ABC has always appreciated that,” a source revealed to DailyMail. “But Ryan has quite the ego and he doesn't like the fact that Mark has proven to be so popular when he fills in for him.”
Seacrest raked in $10 million per year on the show while Ripa takes home $20 million a year.
She’s barely missed a show in her 23 years on the show.
They started talking about Ryan leaving last summer, and when they announced Ryan’s departure, both Kelly and Ryan wanted to put whatever issues… arising from the workplace and Ryan’s other responsibilities… they had behind them,” the insider added. “They’ve known each other for 20 years and, regardless of recent strains, it is a real friendship.”
Ripa’s hubby, Consuelos, is no stranger to the ‘Live’ co-host seat.
During her search for a co-host after Michael Strahan departed, the “Riverdale” star filled in often.
Seacrest’s health concerns stem back to 2020. ABC execs grew concerned about his physical health and believed he was “overdoing it.”
Fan concerns also grew heightened after they thought he suffered a stroke live on air during the “American Idol” final.
The beloved TV host admitted “exhaustion” contributed to his issues.
He’s constantly traveling between Los Angeles and New York in addition to the different “American Idol” cities.
Seacrest took to Instagram to express his feelings about departing ‘Live.’
“I’m going to miss my work wife and all the laughter we share. When I signed on to host Live in 2017 it was meant to be for 3 years, but I loved the job and working with Kelly so much that I extended my time and last year I made the decision to stay on for one more final season,” he wrote. “I’ll be transitioning out of Live this Spring to shoot the 21st season of American Idol in LA, continue my radio show on KIIS-FM and Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin Eve, and focus my summer on opening three more Ryan Seacrest Foundation Studios in pediatric hospitals across the country.”
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He concluded, “I’m looking forward to coming back to guest host in the future and Kelly, I promise to forever share my food photos, chicken eggs, and olive oil with you. And congratulations to my brother Mark, feel free to remodel my dressing room!”
