The actress and the substitute for her absent husband and co-host sat down with Naomi Watts and Ken Jennings to discuss a game show and a new book.

Kelly Ripa's husband and co-host on "Live with Kelly and Mike," Mark Consuelos, was notably absent from the set on January 21, 2025. While some fans weren't impressed by the person who stepped in as his substitute, others were thrilled with the temporary change.

A fan comments on Anderson Cooper substituting for Mark Consuelos on "Live with Kelly and Mike," from a post dated January 21, 2025 | Source: Facebook/LiveKellyandMark

Anderson Cooper co-hosted "Live with Kelly and Mike," with Ripa in place of the actress's husband. The two spoke with Naomi Watts about her new book, "Dare I Say It: Everything I Wish I’d Known About Menopause." They also discussed the new season of "Celebrity Jeopardy" with the game show host, Ken Jennings.

It was announced that Cooper would be filling in for Consuelos on "Live with Kelly and Mike," though no explanation for Consuelos' absence was provided. Fans wondered where Consuelos had disappeared to and had a lot to say about the substitute filling in for him.

One viewer expressed their enthusiasm for the stand-in, "I love it when he substitutes for Mark!" Another chimed in with high praise, "Anderson and Andy are the only comparable subs for Mark. The best!!"

Anderson Cooper and Kelly Ripa speak onstage during the 16th annual CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City, on December 11, 2022 | Source: Getty Images

Some couldn't help but gush over his charm, "Anderson is adorable" and another added, "😍." For one fan, Cooper exceeded expectations as they wrote, "I wasn't sure how I'd feel w [sic] him hosting but he was great!! Mike is away tomorrow too apparently."

However, some fans missed Consuelos' presence on the show, with one asking, "Where is Mark?" One fan lamented, "Ain't the same without el Mark..that was like having Ryan back🙄 [sic]." Lastly, a viewer made their feelings about co-hosts clear, bluntly stating, "Not a fan of co-host."

Kelly Ripa and Anderson Cooper attend the 13th Annual CNN Heroes at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City, on December 8, 2019 | Source: Getty Images

Anderson Cooper had previously stepped in as a guest co-host on "Live with Kelly and Mark." On July 27, 2023, he joined Consuelos at the co-host desk. During the episode, the duo welcomed Chef Michael Symon for an engaging chat.

Now, fans have wondered where Mark Consuelos was for Cooper to fill in for him. On that day, Consuelos shared a photo on his Instagram story that was originally posted by Jason Weinberg, a manager at Untitled Entertainment. The image featured Consuelos and Ripa posing with two guests on the "Live with Kelly and Mark" set, suggesting it might be a throwback moment.

Mark Consuelos and Kelly Ripa posing with two guests on the "Live with Kelly and Mark" set, from an Instastory posted on January 21, 2024 | Source: Instagram/instasuelos

Consuelos is set to return to "Live" on Friday, January 24, when he and Ripa will host guests Lucy Liu and Omari Hardwick. On Wednesday, January 22, Ripa will be joined by Andy Cohen as her co-host. The two will engage in a discussion with Julia Garner and Morris Chestnut.

On Thursday, January 23 Carson Kressley will take over the co-hosting duties. Kressley and Ripa will talk with Darren Criss about his new Broadway show "Maybe Happy Ending."

Mark Consuelos and Kelly Ripa are seen grilling at the "Live with Kelly and Mark" show in New York City, on July 17, 2024 | Source: Getty Images

In 2022, on "Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen," Kelly Ripa was asked who she would have chosen as her co-host if Ryan Seacrest had declined the role initially. She revealed that her top choices would have been Cooper, Cohen, or her husband, Consuelos.

However, since both Cooper and Cohen had their own commitments, when Seacrest eventually departed, she opted for Consuelos. Now, the couple co-hosts the show together, sharing laughs and enjoying their time as they interview celebrity guests.