Kelly Ripa Absence from 'Live'

Fans of "Live with Kelly and Mark" were met with another absence from Kelly Ripa during Monday's episode, as she has been missing from the show for the entire previous week. Instead of Ripa, Maria Menounos returned to co-host alongside Mark Consuelos, who has been filling in since Ripa's departure. The episode featured a discussion with singer Andra Day about her upcoming horror film, "The Deliverance," set to premiere on Netflix on August 30. Ripa's absence comes on the heels of her recent recognition as a Disney Legend, an honor she received during a ceremony on August 11 at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California. The event celebrated Ripa alongside other notable figures such as Angela Bassett and Jamie Lee Curtis, with Ryan Seacrest, her former co-host, presenting the award. This accolade adds to Ripa's impressive career in television. As for when Ripa will return to the show, a production source revealed that the "Live" team is currently on their annual summer vacation. This break has contributed to her extended absence from the morning program. Fans can look forward to Tuesday's episode, which is expected to feature interviews with Hollywood stars Arnold Schwarzenegger and Hannah Waddingham, keeping the show's momentum alive in Ripa's absence.