- - Kelly Ripa, Mark Consuelos explain strict 'no a--hole' policy on “Live” set: 'Didn't tolerate it' (exclusive)

Joey NolfiDecember 15, 2025 at 6:00 AM

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Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos on 'Live With Kelly and Mark'Key Points -

Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos tell EW where their strict "no a--hole" policy originated.

Consuelos tells EW with a laugh that it comes from "working with a--holes" in the past.

"You either get on the side of peace or get going," Ripa explains to EW.

If you want to get in on the early-morning action with Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos, you need to check your attitude at the studio door.

In an exclusive interview from the Manhattan set of their beloved Live With Kelly & Mark talk show, the cohosts and longtime spouses explain to Entertainment Weekly how they maintain such a jovial atmosphere at work — including breaking down the origins of a strict "no a--hole" policy they enforce for the staff.

"[It's] from working with a--holes!" Consuelos says with a laugh when EW asks about the policy, which allows the environment of the cohosting couple's daytime program to remain light, bright, and positive all year long.

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Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos in New York City

That's especially important as the couple prepares for their upcoming round of Christmas programming, which kicks off Monday with the show's "Eat, Drink, and Be Merry" week of segments, including the annual Holiday Sweater Contest at the end of the week.

Ripa notes that the "no a--hole" policy actually dates back to her days on the set of Hope & Faith, her prior ABC sitcom that also starred Faith Ford.

"We very quickly became super aligned in the fact that she had great people she always worked with, and I always had great people I always worked with. We combined that energy," Ripa remembers, adding that they didn't accept "if any person ever showed up and was not there with the full spirit of we’re going to have fun and make this easy" on the cast and crew of the show, which ran for three seasons from 2003-2006.

"It’s a hard job. Putting on a sitcom is hard, in front of a live audience. The crew, the casting, everybody busts heir butt," Ripa recalls of working on the comedy series. "If there are any agitators, we just didn’t tolerate it. You either get on the side of peace, or get going!"

Consuelos confirms that "we don't have that here" at Live, and that the talk show remains a fun, positive place to work each day.

Elsewhere in our exclusive interview, Ripa also tells EW why she doesn't act anymore, after honing the "no a--hole" policy on the set of Hope & Faith over two decades ago.

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Kelly Ripa kisses Mark Consuelos on 'Running With the Wolves'

"It’s not that I don’t appreciate it, it’s not that I don’t love it. But I really am devoted to this show and my [Let's Talk Off Camera] podcast," Ripa, who first joined Live in 2001, explains.

She adds, "I feel like my plate is full. Also, we have three adult kids, and I like to be present in their endeavors. Our daughter [Lola] is now starting to perform in the music scene in London, so I like to be able to be present if she needs or wants me there."

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Acting plays an important role in the couple's history, too, with Consuelos and Ripa first meeting as stars on the soap opera All My Children, before they got married in secret in 1996.

Live With Kelly and Mark airs weekdays in syndication — including seasonally themed run-ups to the show's annual Christmas episode, which is set to air on Dec. 24. Check your local listings for timing in your area.

on Entertainment Weekly

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