How GWR surprised TV legend Kelly Ripa live on air with iconic record title
Guinness World Records made a special appearance on Friday’s episode of Live with Kelly and Mark, to award a surprise record to morning talk show legend Kelly Ripa (USA).
As part of a big celebration in honour of Kelly’s 25th anniversary on the show, GWR Adjudicator Michael Empric gifted the talented presenter with the title for the longest career as a daytime talk show host (female), won after her decades of work on the nationally syndicated programme.
The record came as a complete shock to Kelly, who has hosted the show since 2001, in addition to serving as executive producer. For years, she’s worked alongside GWR to honour some of the most accomplished record holders in the world – so the anniversary show was made extra-special by the fact that she finally achieved a title of her own.
“Thank you, Michael!” shouted Kelly, as she hoisted the certificate above her head in front of the excited audience. A burst of confetti rained down on the presenters, as Kelly’s husband and co-host Mark Consuelos gave her a giant hug.
In addition to Kelly’s record-breaking certificate celebration, the entire episode was dedicated to all her hard work on the show, framed as a retrospective of her time on the programme.
Featuring surprise appearances by friends and family, former guests, and in-studio visits from actor Jerry O’Connell and ABC World News Tonight anchor David Muir, the segment emphasized recognition, appreciation, and the value of commemorating milestones on the national stage.
Kelly and Mark were even joined by their son Michael, who gave his mom a beautiful bushel of flowers and congratulated her for maintaining an incredible career while still taking care of her family. “WE LOVE YOU, KELLY” was broadcasted on the giant screen behind them, as producers ran clips of Kelly entertaining audiences throughout the years.
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Even though Kelly has now become the face of the show, older viewers might remember when the programme was initially known as The Morning Show, when it was helmed by Regis Philbin in the 1980s. Over the years, the programme had a rotating cast of hosts, until Kelly became the tour de force in front of – and behind – the camera in 2001.
For the next 20 years, she worked alongside stars like Regis, Michael Strahan, and Ryan Seacrest to deliver news and feel-good stories to the nation, contributing her charming personality and quick wit to make Live! consistently the top-rated morning show and frequently the number-one syndicated talk show across North America.
And in 2023, Live! officially became a family affair – after Kelly’s husband Mark Consuelos became co-host. For the last three years, they have entertained approximately five million viewers per episode, ranking the show first in major US and Canadian television markets.
Yet beyond Kelly’s achievements, the programme is also notable within television production for its exceptional staff continuity.
Produced by WABC-TV in New York, many members of the production team have remained with the show for decades – including executive producer Michael Gelman, who won the Guinness World Records title in 2018 for the most television credits as Producer for a single morning talk show with 7,534.
Alongside their incredible work, Guinness World Records has remained a crucial part of promoting these feel-good stories, as Adjudicators gifted amazing record holders with certificates for their accomplishments.
In the words of Live!’s producers, “whenever we work together I end up with a mouth full of confetti”, a statement which reinforces how record attempts can become part of shared television moments that audiences connect with emotionally.
“Having the opportunity to celebrate Kelly’s incredible career hosting Live! really speaks to her dedication to the show, both on and off camera,” said Adjudicator Michael Empric.
And we’re sure that in the future, she will continue to use her record-breaking talents to promote important stories and share incredible accomplishments – perhaps even for another 25 years!
So congratulations Kelly Ripa on this amazing achievement – you are Officially Amazing!