‘Live’ Kelly Ripa Replaced By Big Name Host

Live with Kelly and Mark co-host Kelly Ripa has been replaced by a big-name host with the presence needed to fill her shoes.

Kelly has been absent from the studio frequently over the past few weeks. Fans are a little confused and worried, wondering if the long-time host is finally getting ready to bid her daytime slot farewell. However, her replacement may bring them some comfort. Read on to find out which big-name star filled in for Kelly this week.

Kelly’s Absences Have Fans Worried About Her Future With The Show

Kelly Ripa has been absent from the show frequently over the past two weeks. The spree of days off started with a lottery joke that ended with fans concerned about Kelly. Last Monday, Kelly told fans that she was leaving the show and never coming back. Of course, that plan relied on her winning last week’s massive $1 billion Powerball. The audience thought she was making a funny joke, and her husband and co-host Mark Consuelos laughed along with them.

But then the Powerball was drawn on Wednesday night. Thursday and Friday arrived, and Kelly was missing. Fans speculated online that she had struck it rich and eloped to the South of France. Luckily, she returned to the studio on Monday. She and Mark had been in the studio “Since yesterday” she said, filming an opener for the next season of the show, which drops September 5th.

But then she was absent again this week. And fans are now concerned that the long-time host may be ready to leave the show for greener pastures elsewhere.

Live‘s Kelly Ripa Has Been Replaced By A Big Name Host

Earlier this week co-hosts Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos hinted that Kelly might be leaving on a trip soon.

Then on Thursday, she was absent from the show. Filling in for her was none other than Kelly and Mark’s family friend and legendary tv anchor and host, Anderson Cooper. Neither Mark nor Anderson gave any hint as to where Kelly was. Nor did they reveal when she might return to the studio. This follows the pattern from the past two weeks of Kelly’s mysterious absences and no explanation.

While we may not know where Kelly is and what she’s doing, we know she’s going there with a new hairdo. The 52-year-old television star took to Instagram yesterday to show off her new haircut. She captioned the photo, “Divine timing for a fresh coat of paint.” But it’s not just a comment on her new hair. “Divine Timing” is the name of a new single released by Kelly and Mark’s daughter, Lola Consuelos. Proud mom Kelly couldn’t help but sneak that plug in there.

Why do you think Kelly Ripa has been absent so often? And would you like to see her replaced on Live with someone like Anderson Cooper? Let us know your thoughts in the comments. And catch Live with Kelly and Mark on weekday mornings on ABC at 9 AM EST