Kelly Ripa has been the face of the syndicated morning talk show Live for 25 years now. With the stint, she has effectively been one of the most familiar figures on television. Celebrating 25 years on the show, Ripa spoke about her eventual retirement and how she did not want the show to conclude when she decided to step back.
Kelly Ripa says she doesn’t want Live to end with her retirement
25 years ago, Kelly Ripa joined Regis Philbin as co-host of Live with Regis and Kelly in February 2001. Over the two and a half decades since, she has become a familiar figure on television.
Ripa recently sat down with Decider and looked back at her stint on the famous show and her future plans. She indicated that she would not continue on this show forever. But she added that she would want Live to go on without her, too.
“For me, I always say this job and this place is so special, that I really do believe in this show as a franchise. It’s a franchise show,” the 55-year-old explained when she was asked what she sees as the future of Live.
Ripa continued, “Before me, there was Regis [Philbin] and Kathie Lee [Gifford]. And before Kathie Lee, there was Regis and a myriad of other hosts. I believe this show will continue on for as long as linear television exists.”
The host added, “I believe that there are too many talented people out there that really deserve the opportunity to find their own audience and grow the audience the way they see fit. Because I don’t intend to work for the rest of my life. I really do not.”
She further asserted that she would not continue to work forever, even if that is the general belief at the moment. “Contrary to what everyone around here thinks! [Laughs]. I don’t intend on working for the rest of my life. But I think we’ll all make that decision when the time comes,” Ripa explained. “I think there’s a way to sort of get new people on board and have them test co-hosts, and get the audience used to other people. I think it’s important. I love this show too much to see it sort of ever end with us.”
Hopefully, the famed show will find some interesting replacements for Kelly Ripa when she finally decides to end her run on the show.
Originally reported by Sourav Chakraborty on ComingSoon.
