It looks like Kelly Ripa won’t be returning to her ABC daytime talk show LIVE with Kelly and Mark anytime soon.
The beloved TV personality, 55, has been off the air since Monday, July 27, with a rotating slate of co-hosts filling in for her ever since. And it looks like she has several more coming in to take her place on the anchor’s desk for the next week as well.
Wait, why is Kelly Ripa not on LIVE?
Husband and co-host Mark Consuelos shared on Monday’s episode: “Kelly had a little bit — well, it’s not a little — she had a gum graft surgery.”
He explained that while she’s currently doing well and recovering slowly but surely, the healing process is proving to be quite “painful,” and not only is she on a liquid diet, she also isn’t allowed to speak or even pull down her lip.
“It’s painful, but she famously doesn’t feel pain,” her husband quipped. “When she goes to the dentist, she doesn’t use the novocaine. But this one hurts, so I know it’s bad.”
Who’s been filling in for Kelly Ripa so far?
On Monday’s show, while sharing the news of the Hope & Faith alum’s absence, Mark, also 55, was joined by one-third of the Jonas Brothers, Kevin Jonas. Kevin returned for Tuesday’s show as well.
On Wednesday, Mark was joined by actress Mila Kunis, who spoke about relishing her time in New York City with her two kids. Her husband Ashton Kutcher made a cameo as well, watching from the studio audience. On Thursday’s show, Pamela Adlon joined Mark, speaking about returning to her most famous role in King of the Hill, reprising the voice of Bobby Hill.
© Getty ImagesWho will join Mark Consuelos next?
To close out the week, Scandal star Scott Foley will join Mark on Friday, July 31, with a whole new roster of stars set to join the Riverdale alum on LIVE the following week.
Per TV guides, Scrubs star Sarah Chalke will join Mark on Monday, August 3, followed by The Rookie star Jenna Dewan on Tuesday, comedienne and actress Michelle Buteau on Thursday and The White Lotus and Gilded Age star Carrie Coon closes out the week on Friday.
© Getty ImagesWhile a guest host is not listed for Wednesday, per an Entertainment Weekly report, LIVE’s in-house DJ and emcee Déjà Vu will join Mark on that day. The publication then reports that the show will air pre-recorded segments for the week after as part of their yearly summer break, meaning Kelly will likely return after a total of three weeks off the show.
Why Kelly and Mark work as co-anchors
The TV couple, who have been married for over 30 years, of course have the best chemistry on the show when they’re hosting with each other, which their longtime producer Michael Gelman shared as well when speaking exclusively with HELLO!.
© Getty Images“It’s wonderful to have the LIVE family grow even more with a real married couple as part of the everyday show,” he told us previously. “They have the same relationship on-and-off the air, and that’s part of the magic, so you see their interaction every day, just like a live married couple.”
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