Fans of Live With Kelly & Mark were left wondering about Kelly Ripa’s whereabouts this week when she was noticeably missing from the morning talk show. 

On both Wednesday, February 26, and Friday, February 28, Ripa was absent from her hosting duties, 

leaving her husband and co-host, Mark Consuelos, to helm the show alongside announcer Deja Vu. 

While Ripa did appear on the Thursday, February 27, episode, her absence on the other two days sparked curiosity among viewers.

No Official Explanation Given

During both episodes, no specific reason was provided for Ripa’s absence. 

Consuelos did not address why his wife was missing from the show, leaving fans to speculate about her sudden break. However, Live did air a pre-recorded episode on Friday, February 28, which suggested that her absence might have been planned in advance.

Although no formal explanation was given, there is a strong possibility that Ripa’s time off was related to her and Consuelos’ upcoming After the Oscars Show. The special episode, which airs live from the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles on Monday, March 3, will cover all the highlights from Hollywood’s biggest night. Given the scale of the event, Ripa may have stepped away from Live to prepare for the special broadcast.

Kelly Ripa in Hollywood for ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!’

Despite missing two episodes of Live, Ripa was seen alongside her husband in Los Angeles on Thursday night when they appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live!. The couple joined the late-night host for a lighthearted conversation, and one particular moment from their daytime show became a major topic of discussion.

During their interview, Kimmel shared a clip from Live in which Ripa was speaking to Consuelos—only to realize mid-conversation that he wasn’t paying attention at all. The moment sparked laughter from the audience, and Kimmel playfully referred to it as “one of the great television moments.”

Ripa admitted that this type of scenario is far from unusual. “It actually happens a lot more than you’d think,” she told Kimmel, referring to her husband’s occasional lack of focus during their live broadcasts.

Consuelos didn’t try to deny it, instead offering a humorous explanation: “As a husband, sometimes you wait for those cue words, like ‘police’ or ‘help,’ and I was just having a moment. I was literally thinking about lunch.”

Mark’s Tendency to ‘Zone Out’

Kimmel, always quick to add his comedic touch, asked Ripa if this behavior extends beyond their time on television. Ripa didn’t hesitate to confirm that it does, responding, “Oh, a hundred percent. That moment, at home, is 99 percent of the conversation.”

The exchange had both Kimmel and the audience laughing, with the host jokingly warning that if this tendency to “zone out” starts affecting their on-air interactions, it could become a bigger problem. Ripa agreed, saying, “That’s when I draw the line. I’m like, at least pretend you’re paying attention to me on air. From nine until 10. It’s not that hard.”

Consuelos, always willing to poke fun at himself, chimed in with his own amusing take on the situation. “Sometimes I take a little nap. I just take a little nap during the show,” he said with a grin.

Ripa, clearly used to these moments, fired back with a sarcastic response: “He’ll say to me, ‘I just zoned out.’ And I’m like, ‘No s–t.’”

Fans Are Eager for Ripa’s Return

While the Live audience enjoyed the temporary hosting duo of Consuelos and Deja Vu, fans are looking forward to Ripa’s return. Her presence on the show has been a staple for years, and her dynamic with Consuelos is one of the highlights of the program.

Viewers won’t have to wait long to see her back in action, as she is expected to be front and center for the After the Oscars Show on Monday. Given her passion for Hollywood’s biggest night, she will likely have plenty to say about the red carpet fashion, major wins, and memorable moments from the ceremony.

Conclusion

Although Kelly Ripa’s brief absence from Live With Kelly & Mark this week left some fans puzzled, it seems likely that her time off was tied to preparations for her upcoming After the Oscars Show. While no official explanation was given, her presence on Jimmy Kimmel Live! alongside Mark Consuelos reassured fans that she wasn’t gone for long.

Her playful banter with her husband continues to be a highlight for viewers, and their recent discussion about Mark’s tendency to zone out provided yet another hilarious moment. With the Oscars just around the corner, fans can expect Ripa to return to Live with her usual energy, ready to break down all the biggest moments from Hollywood’s biggest night.

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