‘Live With Kelly and Mark’ Pre-Taping Episodes Two Months in Advance Because the Hosts Have “Other Obligations”: Report

By Raven Brunner @raventbrunner
Published May 3, 2023, 1:23 p.m. ET

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Live With Kelly and Mark isn’t as “live” as the title suggests.

Recent reports state that the ABC talk show has been filming episodes two months in advance. 

According to The U.S. Sun, Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos recorded two June episodes in April. 

The couple pre-taped an episode set to air on June 19 on April 26, and the following day, they recorded a June 26 episode, the outlet reports.

An insider told The U.S. Sun, “The opening monologue for the pre-recorded episodes is very general, like, discussing relationships and Mark and Kelly’s marriage and life with the kids.”

The insider also claimed that the show avoids “big news stories,” using Jerry Springer’s death as an example — which was revealed during a taping in April.

The show also allegedly welcomes guests who will be topical during the broadcasting date. The source identified the guests brought on for the June episodes as cast members from The Walking Dead: Dead City, which premieres June 18.

In April, the show faced criticism after airing two pre-recorded episodes during Consuelos’s debut week as co-host. A filming schedule shared on 1iota — a website where fans can request invitations to be part of a live audience — revealed that the couple will only be in the studio three days a week for several weeks.

At the time, an ABC rep told Decider, “Our show schedule fluctuates weekly all the time, and quite frankly, it has for years. So, this is not new.”

They added, “This is nothing new, nothing out of the ordinary. The schedule just shifts as needed.”

The U.S. Sun reported that a source close to production said something similar, stating that “this is nothing new” and that the talk show’s schedule “fluctuates weekly.” The source added, “The hosts have other obligations, so it’s normal for the show to pre-tape.”

According to a source at Page Six, Ripa and Consuelo are merely pre-taping episodes for when the show goes on hiatus over the summer. “They really just want to provide as much fresh material as possible for viewers to enjoy over the summer,” the source said.

Live with Kelly and Mark airs weekdays at 9/8c on ABC.