‘Live’ Kelly Ripa & Mark Consuelos Take A Break

Live with Kelly and Mark co-hosts and spouses Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos are taking a break.

The two have not appeared on set together often this week amid Kelly’s repeated absences. Despite filming an opener for next season, Kelly’s future with the show has seemed uncertain to viewers. Now, we know the duo is taking a break. Which may explain some things. Read on to find out what’s going on with Kelly and Mark.

Kelly’s Absences Spawn Questions About Her Future With The Show

Before explaining why Kelly and Mark are taking a break, we’re going to dive into why fans are speculating that she’s almost done with the show.

It all started almost two weeks ago. Kelly told viewers that she would be leaving the show and never coming back. Luckily, she was just making a joke about her hope to win the $1 billion Powerball and elope to the South of France. Mark, she said, could stay behind and keep hosting the show. She even joked that no one would know she was missing, she’d just say she’d had some work done. And they could replace her with a look-alike.

Then, the night after the big Powerball ticket was drawn, Kelly was missing from the show. And since then, she has been absent several more times. Worried fans thought it might mean that she was wrapping up her long run on the show. And planning a move to greener pastures. Such as taking a more full-time role on her other show, The Generation Gap. Guest hosts filling in for Kelly this week have included Anderson Cooper and Deja Vu.

Live Co-Hosts Kelly Ripa And Mark Consuelos Are Taking A Break

But it would seem that Kelly Ripa‘s many absences were all part of a bigger picture. Luckily, it’s good news for fans who love seeing Kelly and Mark take the stage together.

The Live with Kelly and Mark cast and crew is all about to embark on a long summer break. They will not be filming any new episodes between now and next season. The next time they will all return to the studio to record will be on September 5, when the new season arrives. However, they will be airing fresh content between now and then, so it’s not all bad news.

And by the way they announced plans for September 5 and the new season, it sounds like Kelly isn’t going anywhere any time soon. They still haven’t offered an explanation as to why Kelly has been gone so often. But if they’ve been filming double-time trying to get in enough content to cover the break, it could explain why she staggered her time on the stage live.

Were you holding out hope that next season would have new hosts? Or are you happy that Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos will be back in action together soon? Sound off in the comments. And catch Live with Kelly on weekday mornings on ABC at 9 AM EST.