'There weren't exactly tears shed': ABC executives 'ecstatic' to see Ryan Seacrest leave ‘Live with Ryan and Kelly'
LOS ANGELES CALIFORNIA: Ryan Seacrest announced last week that he would be leaving 'Live with Kelly and Ryan' after six years as a co-host of the show with Kelly Ripa. However, the executives of the show's network, ABC, appear not bothered.
The ABC executives reportedly were rather "ecstatic" over Ryan quitting the show. Also eager to replace him with Ripa's husband, Mark Consuelos who they see has great chemistry with Ripa and will "skyrocket" the show ratings.
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"ABC executives were ecstatic when Ryan Seacrest decided to quit 'Live with Kelly and Ryan', the Daily Mail reported citing internal sources. Mark Consuelos and Ripa have a sultry on-screen connection that parallels their passionate off-screen relationship, and ABC has long wished for them to work together permanently on the show, it noted.
"ABC has been eager to replace Seacrest with Mark," the source further told the outlet. He added, "Mark and Kelly have TV magic. Viewers can't get enough of watching the sparks between them whenever he fills in for Ryan." The executives "wanted to capitalize on that, so there weren't exactly tears shed when Ryan started talking about leaving," he said.
The insider also said Seacrest’s time was up at the show, explaining, “He did his bit when he came in to replace Michael Strahan and has done a fine job for six years. And ABC has always appreciated that.” They added, “But Ryan has quite the ego and he doesn’t like the fact that Mark has proven to be so popular when he fills in for him.”
On Thursday's show, Seacrest said, "I made the decision to make this my last season on Live with Kelly and Ryan – which is bittersweet." He later issued a statement saying, "Working alongside Kelly over the past six years has been a dream job and one of the highlights of my career. 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." He also thanked executive producer Michael Gelman and the show's crew. '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," he said. "It's been a memorable ride and now I'm excited to pass the baton to Kelly's 'real' husband, Mark."
Seacrest, 48, plans to move to Los Angeles where he will continue to front American Idol. He will also stay on for Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve. He will remain on Live through the spring but next season will be replaced by Consuelos, 51, and the show will be rebranded Live with Kelly and Mark.