Kelly Ripa Jokes About The ‘Live’ Holiday Party Where Producers “Compete For Their Holiday Bonuses”: “I Have Never Seen Such Vicious Bloodsport Over A $10 Gift Card”

Kelly Ripa kicked off this morning’s episode of Live with Kelly and Mark by warning viewers that “some of their staff members are very hungover today.”

“There may or may not have been a little holiday gathering at [Live EP Michael] Gelman’s house for our producers,” she shared, which Mark Consuelos clarified was “a mansion.”

Ripa continued, “For his producers, where they get to play Squid Games to compete for their holiday bonuses.”

While Consuelos deemed the competition as “more like Hunger Games,” Ripa conceded that it was “Squid/ Hunger Games.”

“I call it ‘Squnger Games,” she quipped, “and I gotta tell you, I was pretty proud of you guys. You were vicious. I have never seen such vicious bloodsport over a $10 gift card.”

Consuelos noted that he “left a little early” and claimed there was “not a lot of drinking going on” at the time, which Ripa affirmed was when the party was “tame.”

“Let me tell ya,” she began. “They got under their cups, let’s just put it that way. Everybody got under their cups, accusations flew, gifts were stolen.”

Ripa then rehashed the story of a producer named Andrea who “won a speaker,” who had longed for it “so desperately.”

“‘Cause anybody can steal any gift at any time,” she explained.

Recalling when it “came down to the blood rounds,” she joked that the producer and the speaker eventually “became one,” as she reportedly “started draping herself” around the speaker, until she ultimately secured it.

Consuelos teased, “Well, I’m glad I was there just for five minutes.”

Ripa pointed out that this was Consuelos’ “first time going” to the annual function, but Consuelos noted that he’s “been there for the after[party]” as Ripa’s “plus one.” While he said it “felt great” to be there, Ripa asked if he felt “drunk with power,” which he denied.

“No, it’s nice to see everybody out of work,” he said. “We’re such a family, and everybody does such a good job of doing what they do on this show. It was really nice.”

Nonetheless, Ripa told Consuelos that he “should’ve stayed for the ‘drunky drunky.'”

“Drinky drinky, happy happy,” she added.

Live with Kelly and Mark airs on weekdays. Check out their website for your local listings.