Fans React to Pre-Recorded Episodes on Live With Kelly and Mark
Let me tell you, folks, there’s been some chatter around Live With Kelly and Mark, and it’s not exactly the warmest. Some viewers just aren’t vibing with the fact that Kelly Ripa, 53, and Mark Consuelos, 52, have been leaning heavily on pre-recorded episodes. Social media has been ablaze with criticism, labeling the couple as "lazy" after several episodes aired that were clearly filmed ahead of time.
Fast forward to Tuesday, January 2, and Live kicked off with a banner flashing right there on the screen, boldly announcing that the episode was “previously recorded.” Now, picture this: Kelly and Mark are sitting there at the news desk, all casual-like, with Mark tossing out a happy New Year's greeting to the audience. But here’s the kicker—many viewers felt duped, realizing the episode had been taped before the ball even dropped in Times Square to celebrate the start of 2024.
One disgruntled viewer summed it up on X, formerly known as Twitter, by saying, “‘Previously recorded’ = change channel.” They weren’t shy about calling out the couple, labeling them the "laziest multimillionaires in daytime TV." Ouch, right?
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Why Are Fans So Upset About the Pre-Recorded Episodes?
Just before Christmas in 2023, Kelly and Mark decided to get ahead of the game by pre-recording a bunch of episodes to air during the holidays, according to The Sun. While the interviews and content in these episodes are fresh and new, the reality is that the couple isn’t delivering the live experience viewers expect. It’s a bit like ordering a steak and getting a burger instead—you were promised one thing, but you got another.
One fan took to X, expressing their frustration: “You are not live yet. It’s after New Year’s. Please get back to work; we miss the live shows.” Another comment echoed the sentiment, pleading, “Please bring back live shows.” It’s clear that for many, the charm of Live With Kelly and Mark lies in its live element, and pre-recording seems to be missing the mark.
A History of Pre-Recording: Is This the New Norm?
Let’s not forget, this isn’t the first time the All My Children alums have faced backlash over pre-recorded episodes. Back in September 2023, Live fans were left feeling disappointed when yet another episode aired that had been taped in advance. One particularly vocal viewer commented on X, “When they changed the host name, [they] should have changed the title of the program to Prerecorded with Kelly and Mark. How many days a week did they agree to work? @kellymarklive #itsnotlive.”
Mark officially stepped into the cohost role on Live in April 2023, following Ryan Seacrest’s departure. During his first month in the spotlight, the Riverdale alum participated in multiple pre-recorded episodes. One viewer couldn’t help but point out, “I wish I had a job that you only work [three] days a week.” They jokingly suggested, “Maybe you should call the show Recorded With Kelly and Mark.”
For some long-time fans, it felt like an odd way to kick off Mark’s Live cohosting journey. Another frustrated viewer expressed their feelings on X, saying, “Previously recorded last Thursday, Friday, and again today. I think it may be time to switch to different programming. Crazy.”
Reports suggest that last year, Kelly and Mark scheduled multiple filming sessions to pre-record episodes ahead of their summer break in 2023. The Sun noted that the opening monologues for these prerecorded episodes were deliberately vague, focusing on general topics like relationships and the couple’s marriage and life with their kids.
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