Live with Kelly and Ryan is losing Ryan Seacrest as a host, and the reason for his exit has been revealed by an insider for the show. Seacrest had missed a number of appearances on the daytime series due to exhaustion.
Mark Consuelos is taking over co-hosting duties alongside his wife, Kelly Ripa. He has guested with her when Seacrest has had to step back. Talks with Consuelos about taking over the role full-time reportedly began last summer.
Seacrest has co-hosted the daytime series since 2018 while continuing to host a daily radio show (in New York), American Idol (which shoots across the country and in Los Angeles), and the annual Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest (in New York). The insider said the following about the issues Seacrest caused by missing episodes of Live with Kelly and Ryan, per Page Six:
Some of Ryan’s absences created tension with everyone involved on the show. But everyone cares about him and respects him and just wants to make sure he’s OK. 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. They’ve known each other for 20 years and, regardless of recent strains, it is a real friendship.
An associate of Seacret’s also reportedly spoke about the issues the host has faced:
“It’s not just Live. Ryan has to travel to audition cities for Idol — they just went to Hawaii. It’s exhausting. It is hard doing Live every day. It’s a grueling schedule. There are double tapings and he runs between his radio show and Live. He’ll have a 10-minute break and they’ll say, ‘Come and do some one-liners for the radio show.’
He’s not quite burned out, but he knows himself [and knows] he needs a break. In the last couple of years he’s valued his time off with his family and his loved ones. Look, he originally signed up for three years [on Live] and then signed another three-year contract, so he really did enjoy doing the show.
He’s really interested in learning how to make wine, he has a passion for cooking, and this is the kind of thing he wants to invest in.”
American Idol returned to ABC for its 21st season last night. Seacrest will continue to appear on Live through the spring. A final appearance date has not been announced.
What do you think? Are you shocked by Seacrest’s exit from Live with Kelly and Ryan? Are you looking forward to seeing Consuelos and Ripa together full-time?
Well these are my feelings, people. I think when Kelly lost her youth / looks… that is the bloom is off the rose… all you have left is a burned out soap opera queen. And her in tow soap opera boyfriend, Mark. Now this may light the fires of women, but men find the duo boring and creepy… and not in a good way. No one wants to hear again and again how sweet and wonderful Mark is. We want entertainment, we want comedy, and we want topical commentary… which Ryan was fairly good at… the commentary… although it was… Read more »
Best wishes Ryan, we never would’ve gotten to know you if it wasn’t for this show and it’s been a pleasure! Thank you!
It’s about time. Kelly and Mark should have been co-hosts all along after Regis Philbin left.
Maybe it’s time to GET RID OF KELLY!! She is so obnoxious!
I wouldn’t be surprised if Ryan was leaving due to Kelly constantly interrupting him on the show. It’s always about her, sad to say. I think it’s ridiculous that her husband is coming on. Probably because he’s the only one who can stand her personality!
Too much family! There will be a lot f inside stories from which the audience need not be included or excluded. Will miss Ryan. Not surprised he has reached his limits. Healthy to do do.
can the Consuelo’s handle this type of relationship? hate to see issues! have been a fan of them since All My Children ( another subject but ABC Screwed everyone when they cancelled AMC and Ryans Hope! The head of programming gave feeble excuses for the cancellation.) and wish them the best of course. although will miss Ryan! Doesn’t Mark have obligations elsewhere? No matter hope the show continues!
You know, if the Ripas do have marital issues from being together 24/7, it might actually make the show interesting. Remember Sonny and Cher? The basis for their TV show was their love/hate relationship. We will see.
I am shocked by Seacrest’s exit from Live with Kelly and Ryan! I’m looking forward to seeing Consuelos and Ripa together full-time.
I watch the show every morning, because of Ryan Seacrest , he is so spontaneous that I am always waiting for what he will do next I think the show definitely won’t be the same without him , and I really don’t enjoy or watch the show when he is not hosting. I will miss you Ryan . God bless you and I wish you the best.