After a six-season journey, Ryan Seacrest said goodbye to “Live With Kelly and Ryan” during a heartfelt farewell on his final episode. This emotional moment saw both Seacrest and his co-host, Kelly Ripa, moved to tears as they reflected on their time together.
At 48, Seacrest announced his departure from the morning talk show in February, calling the decision “bittersweet.” He shared that the challenges of hosting in New York while living in Los Angeles, combined with his other commitments like “American Idol,” played a significant role in his choice to leave.
In a candid interview with Variety last month, Seacrest explained, “The many hours I spent each year flying became a lot. It was longer than I expected, but it’s because of Kelly and the great people here. I had told Kelly over the last couple of years, ‘This is not going to be something that’s right for me forever for all the obvious geographical reasons,’ and she understood it.”
Despite the rationale behind his departure, the farewell was emotionally charged. During the final episode, both hosts expressed their heartfelt sentiments. Seacrest conveyed his gratitude, stating, “I know how lucky I am to have been on this show for the last six years. I’ve spent my whole career talking, but today it’s tough to express how much I’ve valued being here and being with you, invited into your homes every day. I feel honored to be part of this family.”
Kelly Ripa also became emotional as she bid farewell, describing their time together as the fastest six years of her life. She spoke of her bond with Seacrest, referring to him as a younger brother and praised his character, kindness, and authenticity. Ripa expressed, “From the bottom of my heart and from all our hearts, we just want to thank you for being wonderful. You’re an original, authentic part of this show. You’re forever our family. We’re not saying goodbye; we’re only saying see you soon. I love you.”
On his final show, Seacrest welcomed a special guest—First Lady Dr. Jill Biden. He was surrounded by his family, including his parents, sister Meredith, and girlfriend Aubrey Paige. The episode featured video clips highlighting fun and memorable moments from his time on the show, along with more poignant highlights.
While Seacrest’s departure marks the end of an era, “Live With Kelly and Ryan” is set to welcome a new co-host: Kelly Ripa’s husband, Mark Consuelos. At the conclusion of the show, Consuelos presented a special cake, and Seacrest symbolically passed the hosting baton by handing him his mug.
Ryan Seacrest joined the show in 2017, succeeding Michael Strahan. Over the years, “Live” has featured various hosts, including the iconic duo Regis Philbin and Kathie Lee Gifford. Following Gifford’s exit in 2000, Ripa became Philbin’s full-time co-host in 2001 and has remained ever since.
The final show was a heartfelt and memorable occasion for both Kelly and Ryan. While their partnership will be missed, we wish them both continued success in their future endeavors.
