‘Live’ without Ryan: Seacrest to exit talk show
‘Live’ without Ryan: For six seasons, viewers tuning in to “Live With Kelly and Ryan” expected to start their mornings with some fun banter between co-hosts Ryan Seacrest and Kelly Ripa. But that will soon change.
During a taping of the Feb. 16 show, Seacrest surprised viewers with an on-air announcement that he is leaving the No. 1 daytime talk show.
“Working alongside Kelly over the past six years has been a dream job and one of the highlights of my career,” Seacrest said. “She has been an amazing partner, friend and confidant, and although we will always be a part of each other’s lives, I will miss our mornings together.”
Seacrest first joined “Live” in 2017, and he originally signed on to host for just three years. Now, six years later, the “American Idol” host will be “transitioning out of ‘Live’ this spring,” according to his Instagram, and he plans to move back to the West Coast to focus on other business ventures – including ABC projects such as “American Idol” and “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve,” as well as his radio show on KISSFM. He also signalled his intention to open “three more Ryan Seacrest Foundation Studios in pediatric hospitals across the country.”
Ryan Seacrest (right) with “Live with Kelly and Ryan” co-host Kelly Ripa
The news might have come as a surprise to viewers, but Seacrest indicated he and Ripa have been talking about this “for a long time.” And maybe his last “Live” sign-off won’t be the final one: on Instagram, Seacrest said he was “looking forward to coming back to guest host in the future.”
No official exit date was announced at the time of writing, but they’ve already lined up a replacement co-host: Seacrest’s soon-to-be-vacated chair will be filled by Ripa’s husband, actor Mark Consuelos (“Riverdale”), and the show will be rebranded to “Live with Kelly and Mark.”
Seacrest made a point of expressing his gratitude to those working behind the scenes. “I also want to thank [executive producer] Michael Gelman and the entire staff and crew,” Seacrest stated. “We’ve made memories to last a lifetime, met some of the most incredible people and had the warmest welcome into the homes of so many viewers across America. It’s been a memorable ride, and now I’m excited to pass the baton to Kelly’s ‘real’ husband, Mark.”
Missing ‘Big Shot’: It seems Disney+ decided a double shot of “Big Shot” is all it took to quench audiences’ (and executives’) thirst for the sports-themed series.
The comedydrama, which stars “Full
House” alumnus John Stamos, has officially been cancelled after just two seasons, along with fellow sophomore series “The Mighty Ducks: Game Changers,” which starred Lauren Graham (“Gilmore Girls”).
“Big Shot” was created by prolific producer David E. Kelley (“Big Little Lies”), writer Dean Lorey (“Arrested Development”) and actor/producer Brad Garrett (“Everybody Loves Raymond”), with Lorey also serving as showrunner. The story follows former NCAA basketball coach Marvyn Korn (Stamos), who is given a shot at redemption when he accepts a coaching position at an elite private school for girls. The series, which premiered its second season back in October, also starred Canadian actress Jessalyn Gilsig (“Glee”), Sophia Mitri Schloss (“The Kicks”), Nell Verlaque (“Bull”) and more.
As for “Game Changers,” Season 2 followed the Mighty Ducks hockey squad and their coach, Alex Morrow (Graham), as they headed to a super-competitive, summer hockey institute run by former NHL player Colin Cole (Josh Duhamel, “Shotgun Wedding,” 2022). Other cast members included Brady Noon (“Boardwalk Empire”) and Season 14 “America’s Got Talent” singer Luke Islam.
Disney’s decision to bench these two sports comedies is disappointing to fans. Sadly, with many streamers cutting back on new productions, they join an evergrowing list of cancelled shows in 2023.