April 16 - 22, 2023
celebrityq&a
BY JAY BOBBIN
Mark Consuelos OF LIVE WITH KELLY AND MARK ON CTV
‘Secrets of the Elephants’ celebrates Earth Day with Natalie Portman
Q: As you succeed Ryan Seacrest by stepping full-time into the role of co-host with your wife Kelly Ripa on “Live With Kelly and Mark” starting Monday, April 17, how are you feeling about it? A: We knew about this for a little bit before we put the announcement out, and it’s all fine and good when you’re a few months out ... but as the time gets closer and closer, the reality is definitely setting in, which is great. I’ve had the pleasure of filling in on the show a lot, especially over the past few years, and I’ve had so much fun doing it. There’s a lot of spontaneity to it, every episode is different, and it’s probably the fastest hour of work I’ve ever had to do in my professional career. I’m really looking forward to it. Q: Do you have a concept of the difference for you in being on the show permanently? A: So many times, I’ll be walking through a room and listen to it because I’ll have it on, and I’ll hear my name come up. I’ll hear a story that references me, and I’ll be like, “Wait. That’s not exactly how it went.” Now, I get to update the record in real time! It definitely is different when your name is in the title, and I have a tremendous amount of esteem and respect for the show. It’s iconic, and it’s a great honor to sit next to my wife, who arguably is the best in the business. And I hope to do it justice. Q: To anyone who speculates about pros or cons of you and Kelly spending this much time together personally and now professionally, what do you say? A: It’s a valid question, but we’ll be married 27 years in May, and we have a lot of loyalty and respect for each other. And we tell each other how it is, so with that formula, I think you can get through almost anything.
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“Secrets of the Elephants” airs Friday on National Geographic.
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