The co-hosting chairs at “Live with Kelly and Mark” have seen a bit of a shuffle recently, with actress Jackie Tohn stepping in for an absent Kelly Ripa on the Monday, August 4, 2025, episode. Tohn, star of the Netflix sitcom “Nobody Wants This,” joined Mark Consuelos, who had just returned to the show after his own week-long absence.
During the previously recorded broadcast, Consuelos warmly introduced Tohn, who immediately brought her comedic flair to the set. “Or as I like to call myself, Kelly Ripoff,” she quipped. “Yeah! Nailed it. First one out of the gate.”
Tohn’s appearance came after a week where Ripa was joined by a series of guest hosts while Consuelos was away. As reported by Decider, Ripa explained that her husband was “working on a show out in L.A.” Guest hosts filling in for Consuelos included Jerry O’Connell, David Muir, Carson Kressley, and Steve Patterson. While the reason for Ripa’s absence on Monday was not officially announced during the show, the use of guest hosts is a long-standing tradition for the popular syndicated morning talk show.
The program, which has been a television staple since its national debut in 1988, has a well-established format that accommodates such changes. Originally titled “Live with Regis and Kathie Lee,” the show has seen several co-host transitions over its more than 35 seasons, with hosts including Regis Philbin, Kathie Lee Gifford, Michael Strahan, and Ryan Seacrest before Consuelos officially joined his wife in April 2023. This history has made the seamless integration of guest co-hosts a familiar and often welcome feature for its dedicated audience.
Consuelos shared that the idea of Tohn as a fill-in was not a new one. He recalled that after her first appearance on “Live” in the previous year, both he and Ripa felt she would be a perfect fit. “When Kelly and I got done meeting you and walked off, we said, ‘Wow, she would be a great fill-in,’” Consuelos shared. A visibly moved Tohn replied, “Really? That makes me want to cry. Thank you.”
Tohn also shared a humorous anecdote about her parents, whom she described as being “obsessed” with the show and its hosts. She recounted a conversation where they jokingly suggested a future where she could replace Ripa permanently. “I go, ‘Mom! I can’t replace Kelly.’ They go, ‘There’s only one person we love more than Kelly Ripa, and that’s you,’” Tohn said, eliciting a warm response from Consuelos.
The guest lineup for the week, as detailed by TV Insider, indicates a busy schedule. Monday’s show also featured actor Christopher Jackson, who discussed his return to “And Just Like That…” and his role in Broadway’s “Hell’s Kitchen.” The rest of the week is set to welcome guests such as Jenna Dewan, Anna Chlumsky, Rita Ora, and Tony Hawk. The show continues to be broadcast live on weekdays from New York City, with episodes available for streaming on Hulu the following day.
While fans may have missed Ripa on Monday, the dynamic between Consuelos and Tohn provided an entertaining start to the week, reinforcing the show’s ability to adapt and maintain its signature charm, regardless of who is sitting in the co-host’s chair.
