Overview
- Live with Kelly and Mark aired a 25th‑anniversary episode featuring a surprise visit from Ripa’s son Michael and video tributes from Lola in London and Joaquin as he rehearsed for a Broadway production.
- The celebration brought appearances from Jerry O’Connell, ABC News anchor David Muir, and retired Live executive Art Moore, plus a live portrait created in the studio by artist David Garibaldi.
- In an interview published the day before the broadcast, Ripa said she does not intend to work indefinitely and stressed that the show will continue beyond her tenure.
- Ripa proposed easing viewers into a future handoff by testing potential cohosts to familiarize the audience with new faces.
- Closing the special, she thanked viewers, staff and cohost Mark Consuelos, who became her permanent on‑air partner in 2023.