Kelly Ripa Returns to ‘Live’ in Pre-Taped Episodes After Gum Surgery Recovery

Kelly Ripa is back at the hosting desk of “Live With Kelly and Mark,” but viewers won’t see her back live for nearly a month.

The host returned to the syndicated morning show on Monday, August 10, in pre-taped episodes filmed as part of the program’s annual summer break, two weeks after stepping away to recover from gum graft surgery.

Her return coincides with the show’s traditional pre-recorded summer run, meaning her first live post-surgery broadcast is scheduled for Tuesday, September 8, which also doubles as the Season 39 premiere.

A Pre-Taped Re-entry

The August 10 episode followed the same pre-recorded format the show has used throughout its summer hiatus. It featured segments like “Stump Mark,” “Travel Trivia,” a summer cooking segment, “The Inbox,” and an interview with Teresa Giudice. Ripa did not address her surgery or recovery during the episode.

Episodes through Labor Day will continue to be pre-filmed. They will blend new conversations, segments taped before the break, and encores of previous celebrity interviews. The arrangement allows Ripa to ease back into the rhythm of the show while still protecting her recovery.

Consuelos on the Recovery Restrictions

Mark Consuelos, Ripa’s husband and cohost, filled in solo during the first week of her absence. He then presided over pre-taped episodes the following week.

“There’s a list of things that you’re not allowed to do — talking, she has to eat soft food, you can’t suck out of a straw. You can’t examine it, which means pulling down the lip. And so, last night, she’s like, ‘Can you look?’ I’m like, ‘I’m not pulling your lip down,’” Consuelos said on air.

He added that the procedure was notably painful, even for his famously stoic wife.

“Yeah, it’s painful. But she famously doesn’t feel pain. When she goes into the dentist, she doesn’t really use the Novocain. But this one hurts, so I know it’s bad.”

On a later episode, Consuelos offered an update:

“She’s feeling better and she’s saying certain things, despite doctors advising that she not speak during the recovery process.”

Guest Cohosts Fill the Gap

While Ripa recovered, Consuelos was joined by a rotating slate of guest cohosts. They included Kevin Jonas, Sarah Chalke, Mila Kunis, Pamela Adlon, Scott Foley, Michelle Buteau, Jenna Dewan, and Carrie Coon.

Kevin Jonas, sitting in for Ripa during the first week, summed up the assignment with a laugh:

“Wow. That’s gotta be the hardest thing that she’s ever done,”

referring to the prescribed silence.

Ripa, 55, has been off the air since July 27, when Consuelos first broke the news of her temporary departure on air. He told the audience she was “not allowed to talk” as she recovered.

The September 8 live return will mark her first unscripted appearance since the procedure. It will also be the official kickoff of the show’s 39th season.

Sources

• Entertainment Weekly