Kelly Ripa joked about the TJ Holmes and Amy Robach scandal before co-hosting the live broadcast with her husband, Mark Consuelos.
The 52-year-old TV star made fun of the infamous relationship that led to the alienation of two TV personalities on the air of her network ABC.
She joked about the scandal during an appearance on Watch What Happens Live Wednesday night where she talked about her job with co-host and husband Mark, who is also 52.
“Mark and I have made a vow of chastity while we’re going to work together because I know how ABC doesn’t like TV partners who strike to the side,” Kelly said.
Host Cohen said ABC should have let the couple stay on the air since it makes for “compelling” TV.
Not holding back: Kelly Ripa joked about the TJ Holmes and Amy Robach scandal before she co-hosted the live broadcast with husband Mark Consuelos; Ripa and Consuelos were spotted at the Academy Awards last month
Notorious: The 52-year-old TV star made fun of the infamous affair that led to the impeachment of two on-air TV personalities on her ABC network; Rohbach and Holmes are seen in New York in May 2022
Fellow guest Marlon Wayans agreed with him when he replied, “I have to say, brother seemed really happy, though.”
Robach and Holmes were officially pulled from the ABC airwaves for good in late January after the network’s internal review into their relationship took an eight-week suspension.
But even while their future in GMA hung in the balance, the couple continued to enjoy their romance undeterred in the face of scandal, frequently flaunting their love through public displays of affection on the streets of New York City and touring around the country and abroad together. .
In fact, they were recently seen making the most of their ‘fun work’ with a two-week vacation in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico last month where they looked relaxed and cuddly while sunbathing and drinking on the beach.
And just two weeks earlier, Holmes, who filed for divorce from wife Marilee Febig only in December — a month after he revealed his affair — was seen taking his love for Robach to new heights while jewelry shopping ahead of her 50th birthday.
This comes nearly two months after Ryan Seacrest announced he was stepping down from hosting Live with Kelly and Ryan after six years and being replaced by Consuelos.
Seacrest is moving to Los Angeles, where he will go on to host American Idol and Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest.
No specific reason was given for his sudden departure at the time.
“Mark and I took a vow of chastity while we’re going to work together because I know how ABC doesn’t like TV partners getting hit on the side,” Kelly joked during an appearance on Watch What Happens Live on Wednesday.
Interesting take: Host Cohen said ABC should have let the couple stay on the air since it makes for ‘compelling’ TV
Fellow guest Marlon Wayans agreed when he responded, “I have to say, brother seemed really happy, though.”
The price to pay: Robach and Holmes were officially pulled from the ABC airwaves permanently in late January after the network’s internal review into their relationship led to their eight-week suspension; The two are seen in March 2022
I’ve made the decision to make this my last season on Live with Kelly and Ryan. Bittersweet said Seacrest.
The somber Reba — who has been a mainstay of the show since 2001 — grabbed his arm and said she “completely understood his decision-making.”
“It was a tough decision to make, but he never planned to do this for 6 seasons…he’s ready to explore other opportunities,” a source close to Ryan told DailyMail.com.
In a statement, Executive Producer Michael Gelman said, “Farewells are never easy, but we look forward to welcoming Ryan back regularly with open arms.
As a fan-favorite host for years, Mark is no stranger to the “Live” family.
“Having him join the show is very special to us and we are sure viewers will feel the same way.”
Seacrest joined the show in 2017 on a three-year hosting contract. Six stayed.
In an Instagram post shortly after the announcement, he said, “I will miss my work wife and all the laughter we shared.”
It comes nearly two months after Ryan Seacrest announced he was stepping down from hosting Live with Kelly and Ryan after six years and being replaced by Consuelos.
Seacrest will be replaced by Ripa’s husband, actor Mark Consuelos
When I signed to host Live in 2017, it was supposed to be for 3 years, but I loved the job and working with Kelly so much that I extended my time and last year made the decision to stay for one more final season.
“I was grateful to be able to share a cup of coffee with our viewers each day, which is one of the best parts of the party.”
Reba is a mainstay of the show. She was first joined by Regis Philbin from 2001 to 2011, then by Michael Strahan from 2012 to 2016.
She was shocked by Strahan’s departure in 2016 and only learned of it when he announced it on air.
Strahan left the show for a coveted seat on Good Morning America.
The couple has spoken publicly about their strained working relationship.
‘I get it.’ We’re excited for Michael. He wanted this job, and it’s great for him. I think it’s a perfect match, I really do.
“However, what no one has thought about is that there is a whole other group of people that really influence them, because now we have to find another amazing person,” she told People magazine in 2016.
Seacrest joined the show in 2017, taking over from Michael Strahan, who departed Kelly Kelly.
The TV personalities posted a tribute to Instagram shortly after the announcement went on the air. Seacrest gave no reason for leaving
Consuelos has hosted with RIBA several times in the past
Kelly joined the show in 2001, joining longtime host Regis Philbin
After Philbin’s departure, Kelly was joined by Michael Strahan. In 2016, she was shocked that he quit on air. He left the show for a coveted seat on Good Morning America
Separately, Michael told The New York Times about the tension “behind the scenes.”
I remained the same person I was from day one. One thing I will not do is change my attitude towards another person. I learned a lot from Kelly, a lot from (executive producer) Michael Gilman.
When it’s time to go, it’s time to go. Some of the things that were going on behind the scenes were just discovered.
It could have been handled better. I didn’t wake up and say, “I want a job at GMA.” The people who run the network asked me to do it. It wasn’t really an option. It was a request. But it was treated as if I was the guy who walked in and said, “I’m leaving.” Completely wrong, and wrongly handled in every way.
Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos met on the set of All My Children in 1995. They married the following year and have been together ever since.
Ripa and Consuelos with their three children, Michael, 25, Lola, 21, and Joaquin, 19
The show – the highest rated in daytime television – was launched in 1983 as The Morning Show, with Regis Philbin hosting alongside Cyndy Garvey.
It was rebranded as Live with Regis and Kathie Lee in 1988, with Kathie Lee Gifford replacing Ann Abernathy.
Together, they hosted the year 2000, when Lee Gifford quit amid a host of scandals surrounding her marriage.
She hosted Regis solo for a year, and then Reba—a former actress—joined her in 2001.
Living with Kelly and Mark, as it would be known, takes the show back to its original concept – husband and wife, drinking coffee on air and casually discussing family issues.
Consuelos is best known for his roles in All My Children, Where Reba Met and Riverdale.
He and Reba have been married since 1996.
