Live with Kelly and Mark tapes multiple episodes 2 months in advance after fans slam show for ‘pre-recording too often’
LIVE with Kelly and Mark has taped multiple episodes months in advance after fans accused the show of pre-recording them too often, The U.S. Sun can exclusively report.
Fans have threatened to boycott the morning talk show after Live with Kelly Ripa and her husband, Mark Consuelos, aired previously recorded episodes just days into their brand-new stint as co-hosts.
Now, The U.S. Sun can reveal that the show continues to tape pre-recorded episodes, and recently prepped shows two months before producers plan to air them.
On April 26, Live with Kelly and Mark pre-taped the June 19 episode.
Then, on April 27, production filmed the episode that is scheduled to air on June 26.
"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," an insider told The U.S. Sun.
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"They did not touch on big news stories, such as Jerry Springer's death, which broke in the middle of taping on April 27."
The source noted that the guests who were brought on for the June dates were cast members from The Walking Dead: Dead City, which premieres on June 18.
The show has at least five additional filming dates scheduled to pre-tape episodes in advance.
It appears show fans should expect to see more pre-recorded episodes in the future.
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A source close to production explained to The U.S. Sun that "this is nothing new," and that the Live schedule "fluctuates weekly."
"The hosts have other obligations, so it's normal for the show to pre-tape," the source said.
The U.S. Sun has reached out to ABC for comment.
AN ONGOING TREND
The Emmy award-winning telecast has had a pattern of airing pre-recorded episodes ever since Mark took over as permanent co-host on April 17.
Prior to this, Ryan Seacrest was Kelly's co-host for six years before he announced his departure to focus on other projects.
The April 20, April 21 and April 24 episodes were all pre-recorded, which left viewers disappointed.
One upset viewer tweeted: "All the 'previously recorded' starts! Where they don’t say it’s not Live."
A second commented: "Fourth show and already Live @kellymarklive isn’t. Why not just record five in one day and call it a week?"
A third Live critic insisted: "So, Live with Kelly and Mark isn't really 'live' huh...Life must be good to only have to work 3 days a week!"
A fourth chimed in: "Why call it @kellymarklive when it is not live. Prerecorded does not mean live!"
THE NEW NORM
Both the audience at home and the audience in the ABC studio have been adjusting to Mark's new role as co-host.
During a recent episode, the Riverdale actor begged the audience to stop "booing" him after he made a comment to his wife that they didn't seem to approve of.
Kelly began a discussion about an article she read on big butts “going out of fashion."
Some people apparently started to reverse their Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL) procedures to go back to having smaller bums, she said.
This led Mark to ask his wife if she’d ever consider getting a BBL.
“You tell me,” she responded, turning the tables on him.
He laughed uncomfortably before she decided to answer.
“I don’t know. I just feel like there’s so many other places I’d rather put implants if I had the time and energy,” the New Jersey native said.
Mark then agreed with her before quickly realizing how that sounded and worked to clarify as the audience began booing him.
“I mean, I don’t agree that you should do that, but I agree–,” he tried to explain, but the audience was turning on him.
Mark pointed out to the crowd and told them to “stop it,” clarifying once more: “I did not say anything – I just agreed because she’s my wife.”
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Kelly had his back and confirmed what he said, adding: “Right, you just agree with me no matter what.”
Despite their on-screen bickering, the lovebirds celebrated their 27th wedding anniversary on May 1 by sharing sweet messages on their Instagram.
