On the set of “Live with Kelly and Mark,” the beloved daytime show recorded its final episode at its iconic Upper West Side location before making the transition to a fresh venue downtown. The last episode was captured on April 1, marking the end of an era.
For 37 years, the studio at 7 Lincoln Square, nestled at the crossroads of 67th Street and Columbus Avenue, served as a picturesque backdrop for a host of esteemed presenters. The legendary figures like Regis Philbin and Kathie Lee Gifford made the space memorable for millions of viewers.
Since 2001, Kelly Ripa has been a steadfast presence on the program, continuing through various co-host line-ups following the departure of Philbin in 2011. She found balance with talents like Michael Strahan and Ryan Seacrest and, as of April 2023, shares hosting duties with her husband, Mark Consuelos.
The couple remarked to PEOPLE how the studio holds significant sentimental value, marking both the closing of one chapter and the exciting beginning of another, despite Consuelos’ recent entry into the hosting arena.
In an interview with PEOPLE right after taping the final episode airing on April 1, Consuelos shared, “Our kids grew up here.” He reminisced about their frequent backstage visits, “They’d come to visit mom a lot, even when they were babies.”
Kelly and Mark, both at 54, are proud parents of their three children: Michael, 27, Lola, 23, and Joaquin, 22. “They came to work with me every day until they went to school,” Ripa fondly recounted. “Whether it was on ‘All My Children’ or here, they truly grew up within these walls.”
Ripa elaborates on her early motherhood days, “Back when I had my kids, maternity leave was not as recognized; we didn’t really know how to negotiate or handle it.” She appreciated the support, “Luckily, I could bring my kids to work, letting me balance being a full-time working mom and a full-time mother. It’s a rare opportunity and one I’m truly grateful for.”
The “Live” studio also played a special role in Kelly and Mark’s relationship. It literally brought them together. In 1996, before their wedding, the couple had briefly separated. Both found themselves on the “Live with Regis and Kathie Lee” show as surprise guests during a Mother’s Day special.
“We had to make an appearance,” Consuelos narrated to PEOPLE. “Despite wanting out, we were both on stage together.”
This shared appearance proved poignant. “Seeing her was an epiphany,” Consuelos admitted. “I thought, ‘This is the worst choice of my life. I need to be with her forever.’ The next day, I proposed, and we flew to Vegas to get married.”
“Isn’t that something?” Ripa mused. “We owe so much to this place. Replicating it will be tough.”
“Live with Kelly and Mark” is among the last ABC classics to transition to 7 Hudson Square, the Walt Disney Company’s splendid new headquarters in New York City.
