NEED TO KNOW
Kelly Ripa has been absent from Live with Kelly and Mark since Monday, Aug. 4
Ripa’s absence comes one week after her husband and co-host Mark Consuelos’ break of his own
A rotation of guests have been stepping in to co-host, including Jackie Tohn and Jenna Dewan
Live with Kelly and Mark is missing one half of its duo this week.
Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos have been co-hosting the daytime talk show together since 2023. This week, however, Ripa, who has been a permanent co-host since 2001, has been absent, with a rotation of guests stepping in.
After Consuelos introduced Nobody Wants This star Jackie Tohn as co-host during Monday’s episode, he recalled the first time he and Ripa met the actress when she appeared on their show over a year ago.
“When Kelly and I got done meeting you and walked off, we said, ‘Wow, she would be a great fill-in,’ ” Consuelos shared, as Tohn responded, “Really? That makes me want to cry. Thank you.”
After revealing that her parents are “obsessed” with the show, Tohn said they asked her if there was a “world in a universe in the future” where she might replace Ripa — a suggestion she quickly shut down.
Ripa previously told Entertainment Weekly she is “always thinking about retiring.” But during a July 2025 episode of Ripa’s podcast, Let’s Talk Off Camera with Kelly Ripa, fellow talk show mainstay Oprah Winfrey told Ripa that “it’s not time for you to step away.”
So, where is Kelly Ripa this week? Here’s what to know about the co-host’s absence from Live with Kelly and Mark.
Why isn’t Kelly Ripa on Live with Kelly and Mark this week?
Disney/Lorenzo Bevilaqua
Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos co-host ‘Live with Kelly and Mark’ on April 1, 2025.
Ripa isn’t on Live with Kelly and Mark this week because she’s out for summer vacation. She last appeared on the show on Friday, Aug. 1.
Ripa has had a busy few weeks leading up to her break as she and Consuelos’ new ESPN docuseries, Running with the Wolves, premiered on July 29. The docuseries follows Ripa and Consuelos’ journey as new co-owners of a popular Italian soccer team, per ESPN.
The same week, Ripa appeared on an episode of Kylie Kelce’s podcast, Not Gonna Lie with Kylie Kelce.
Why wasn’t Mark Consuelos on Live with Kelly and Mark last week?
Live with Kelly and Mark/Instagram
Kelly Ripa and David Muir pose for a photo together in July 2025.
Although Ripa is not on the show this week, her co-host recently took a break of his own. During the July 29 episode, Ripa told viewers that Consuelos is “working on a show out in L.A.”
The remainder of the week consisted of a rotation of guest co-hosts, including actor Jerry O’Connell, ABC anchor David Muir, reality TV star Carson Kressley and radio personality Steve Patterson.
After guest co-hosting, Kressley posted a photo with Ripa on Instagram, writing, “LIVING for @livekellyandmark . Thanks to @kellyripa @gelmanlive and the entire amazing team for always making me feel like part of the family !”
Meanwhile, Patterson shared a clip from his episode as co-host on his Instagram, writing, “Thanks for all the love this week. Beyond grateful for the opportunity. And I’ll never be able to thank @kellyripa and @gelmanlive enough for the invitation to come back ❤️❤️❤️.”
Who is replacing Kelly Ripa during her absence?
Disney/Lorenzo Bevilaqua
Jackie Tohn and Mark Consuelos co-host ‘Live with Kelly and Mark’ on Aug. 4, 2025.
Much like when Consuelos was away from the desk, a rotation of guest co-hosts is filling in for Ripa during her absence. The week kicked off with a pre-recorded episode co-hosted by Tohn.
Prior to the episode airing, Tohn shared a behind-the-scenes clip on her Instagram writing, “Tune in tomorrow 8/4 at 9am (check ur local listies)… but only if you’re into watching me have one of the best days of my life. @livekellyandmark.”
The episode kicked off with Consuelos introducing Tohn, who joked that she liked to call herself “Kelly Ripoff.”
The week continued with Step Up actress Jenna Dewan co-hosting alongside Consuelos on Tuesday. The official Live with Kelly and Mark Instagram shared a video on Instagram Stories in which Dewan said it was “the most fun day.”
“I love this,” she said. “I get to come and do this great, fun job.”
Per the show’s website, Rita Ora will be co-hosting on Wednesday, Aug. 6.
When will Kelly Ripa return to Live with Kelly and Mark?
Disney/Lorenzo Bevilaqua via Getty
Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos co-host ‘Live with Kelly and Mark’ on July 2, 2025.
Ripa will return to Live with Kelly and Mark on Monday, August 11, PEOPLE confirmed.
She will rejoin Consuelos to share their thoughts on the latest pop culture news and trends.
Read the original article on People
