Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos transform into pop culture icons for annual Halloween show
NEW YORK -- Halloween came a day early on "Live with Kelly and Mark."
The long-running morning show unveiled its annual Halloween special, continuing a tradition that has become one of the program's most anticipated events. Over the years, hosts Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos have transformed into some of pop culture's biggest stars and characters, with elaborate costumes tied to the year's most talked-about trends.
This year's show featured a lineup inspired by headline-making celebrities and viral moments, along with appearances from guest judges Jerry O'Connell and Lisa Rinna for the audience costume contest. Ryan Seacrest also joined in on the fun.
Ripa said one of her favorite costumes was her Lady Gaga look.
"I really was thrilled with how the Lady Gaga costume turned out," Ripa said. "I had no idea what they were doing at the last second."
Executive producer Michael Gelman said preparations for the Halloween episode begin long before October.
"Well, this started over a year ago," Gelman said. "It really takes so much work, so many ideas. We then shoot starting months before, and then we do the whole live portion, which is also terrifying."
Consuelos said the hosts often don't know exactly what's planned until the day of the show.
"Again, we have no idea what's going on until the day of," he said.
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During a lighthearted rapid-fire segment, the cast agreed that Ripa would be most likely to turn a Halloween party into an all-night event, while Consuelos would be the one to befriend a ghost. When asked who would investigate creepy noises, Gelman quickly picked Ripa.
"I'm not afraid," Ripa said.
Joelle Garguilo, reporting from the show, summed it up simply: when it comes to Halloween, "Live" still takes the crown.
The annual Halloween episode can be streamed Friday on Hulu.
Disney is the parent company of WABC-TV and Hulu.
