After one year of co-hosting Live together, Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos‘ undeniable chemistry has officially made them America’s sweethearts.
While they’ve easily earned viewers’ affections, Ripa did not think she and her husband were “interesting” or “controversial” enough to do well on television together.
The longtime Live host confessed in an interview with Deadline that she was initially “against” having Consuelos replace Ryan Seacrest as her co-host on Live.
“I just felt like we’re not that interesting, and we’re not a very controversial couple. We don’t really get up to much. I always liken us to watching paint dry,” she said.
Fortunately enough, her mind has since changed. “I do think that there is something very possibly relatable about our relationship. We have disagreements like a normal couple, and we’re not afraid to let them unfold on the air and in front of America, and I think people find a lot of themselves in that,” she said.
Live EP Michael Gelman also noted what a welcome addition Consuelos has become on the show.
“Together Kelly and Mark deliver that rare authenticity that viewers crave,” he said. “This past year has been so much fun for the entire Live family – with a lot of laughs both on and off camera. It’s been fantastic watching their real-life dynamic thrive on the show.”
Consuelos has become known on the show for his candid and spirited attitude. “He says what’s on his mind. If he’s thinking it, he says it,” Ripa said of her husband of 28 years. “I’ve done this a long time and oftentimes people will adjust their natural personalities to pander to what they think the audience wants to hear, and Mark will tell people what he thinks, and he doesn’t care if it’s not a popular opinion. It gives him an edginess that I think is really missing in the landscape today.”
According to Deadline’s report, Live has been the No. 1 entertainment talk show on television this year, especially after seeing a three percent increase in average viewers since the previous season.
The outlet also reports that Live is the most-watched daytime talk show for women ages 18 to 49 and ages 25 to 49.
A year later, the couple can now look back at their experience hosting Live together.
Consuelos told Deadline that he felt like it took him six months to get used to hosting the daytime talk show, but Ripa said, “It took me eight years to get to where he got in two weeks in terms of ability to do this show by himself.”
Live with Kelly and Mark airs on weekdays. Check out their website for your local listings.