Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos Reveal This Will Be Their Final Year of LIVE! Viral Challenges

Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos are putting an end to one of their recurring LIVE! with Kelly and Mark traditions.

During the September 14 episode of LIVE!, the couple revealed that the current season will be the last year they participate in the show’s viral challenges, a decision they jokingly presented as their way of taking a stand against producers.

The announcement came as the hosts prepared to attempt the latest challenge: golfing a marshmallow into Kelly’s mouth.

Kelly and Mark are saying goodbye to viral challenges

Mark introduced the segment by explaining that the hosts would be taking on viral challenges throughout the week. But before beginning the marshmallow golf challenge, he had an announcement to make.

“I just want to say a couple of things about Kelly and Mark Do It Again,” he told viewers.

“This is the last year we’re doing it,” Mark revealed.

Kelly quickly reinforced the message, noting that many viewers may not realize that this would be the final year for the segment.

“So you gotta watch,” Mark said, encouraging viewers not to miss the challenges while they still could.

Kelly added that once this run was over, they would not keep repeating the challenges: they would do them, and that would be it.

The pair then explained that their decision had partly been inspired by the amount of preparation involved behind the scenes.

The hosts turn the challenge into a joke

Mark revealed that he and Kelly had practiced several of the challenges over the weekend.

Kelly responded that perhaps it was time for them to draw a line with the producers.

“You and I need to take a stand,” she joked, suggesting that producers should try the challenges themselves before asking the hosts to perform them on television.

She then imagined the producers reporting that they had completed the challenges privately, only for her to demand proof.

The playful exchange continued as the couple prepared for the marshmallow challenge.

“This is the easiest one we’re gonna do today. I have to golf a marshmallow into your mouth,” Mark explained.

Kelly immediately focused on the practical question: how large were the marshmallows?

Mark reassured her that they were regular-sized rather than the larger variety.

“Good. I don’t want a beefy size. I have to get that in my mouth,” Kelly joked.

Mark then tried to reassure her further, telling her she had a “big bite radius.”

“Careful, dear,” Kelly replied.

LIVE! returns for its 39th season

The announcement came shortly after LIVE! with Kelly and Mark returned from its summer hiatus.

The hosts officially returned to the studio for the Season 39 premiere on September 8, following a series of pre-recorded episodes that aired during the summer.

Kelly marked the occasion by pointing out that it was the beginning of the show’s 39th season.

“This will be my 26th season,” she told viewers, while also highlighting that it was Mark’s fourth season as her co-host.

The milestone follows another significant moment in Kelly’s LIVE! career. In February, she celebrated 25 years on the show.

Kelly Ripa’s long run on LIVE!

Kelly joined LIVE! in 2001, taking over from Kathie Lee Gifford as Regis Philbin’s co-host.

She remained with the program after Philbin’s departure in 2011 and later shared the hosting desk with Michael Strahan from 2012 to 2016.

Ryan Seacrest then joined Kelly in 2017 and remained on the show until 2023.

Mark officially became Kelly’s co-host in 2023 following Seacrest’s departure.

Seacrest left the program amid the demands of traveling between his home in Los Angeles and the show’s New York studio, while also wanting to devote more time to other projects.

Mark and Kelly, who share three children — Michael, Lola and Joaquin — have since established their own rhythm as LIVE! co-hosts.

For now, however, viewers still have another season of viral challenges to watch.

The hosts have made it clear that this is the final year they intend to take them on — meaning the marshmallow golf challenge was part of a tradition that is now heading toward its conclusion.