Kelly Ripa Looks Sad As She Talks About Emotional ‘Live’ Retirement

Since joining the show decades ago, Kelly Ripa has been a mainstay, outliving co-hosts like Ryan Seacrest and Michael Strahan.

Even though Ryan Seacrest’s departure was a heavy blow to fans when it happened two years ago, they’ve since learned to enjoy the new co-host, Mark Consuelos.

Yup, the husband and wife duo have been a force to be reckoned with, and even though many people were quick to vote against them at the very beginning, they’ve survived the tide enough to keep on keeping on.

Kelly Ripa Tells Audience About “Devastating” Thing Happening On ‘Live’

Kelly has truly been on the show for so many years for her to genuinely dread the thought of one of the show’s veterans finally retiring.

“It’s a day for celebration, a day for joy, and personally for us on the studio floor, a devastating day. It is a day we are celebrating Art Moore’s retirement,” she said of Art, who has been a long-running executive producer on the show.

“The special episode was dedicate to Art, including montages featuring his funniest moments on the show, along with a heartfelt speech from Kelly at the very end of the show.”

Raising a glass of sparkling cider in honor of her beloved colleague, she added, “I don’t know where to begin but I will say, this is not us saying goodbye to you. We will never say goodbye to you, as you know.”

She continued: “You have been the singular most important person to every single person here. As evidenced by the amount of people that you work with each and every day who love, honor and cherish you and everything you have given to us. You are a giver and we honor you and shower you with our gratitude and love, eternally.”

She then gave Art a warm embrace, telling him, “I love you,” as husband Mark, announcer Deja Vu and producer Michael Gelman all raised their glasses to him. Even though Art has only worked for ABC for five years, he has been with Live since 1989.

The Bold And The Beautiful Spoilers: Phoebe Forrester Comes For Taylor, Is She Not Long For This World?

View Story

Kelly Ripa Opens Up About Her Working Relationship With Art Moore

In May, Art announced his retirement, with Kelly later anniuncing that he chose to break the news on her and Mark’s wedding anniversary.

Speaking on what Art means to her, she said, “Art is the reason that I am here and I have stayed here all these years. You are so, so important to me personally, to our family. You are one in a gazillion, you mean so much to all of us here. You’re the most special, devoted, loyal, extraordinary person I’ve ever met in my life.”

“I lack the vocabulary to properly tell you what you mean to me and to all of us here. We love and adore you, and I will spend the next several months of my life talking you out of this.”

Be sure to catch up on everything happening with Kelly Ripa right now. Come back here often for all Kelly Ripa spoilers, news, and updates.

Editorial credit: Ron Adar / Shutterstock.com