Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos spent some time honoring a friendly face on Thursday’s episode. Live with Kelly and Mark.
Art Moore, the show’s executive producer and WABC-TV’s vice president of programming, came into the limelight to honor his 34 years on the show. “We always congratulate ourselves here, we like to celebrate ourselves, but we very rarely give credit where we are due,” said Ripa, 52.
“And I want to give credit to a singular person – and I’ve often said, he’s like, ‘Why did you work in this job? Live that long?’ And I always trust one person. I work here because Art Moore works here.”
Expressing her surprise at Moore’s acknowledgment, Ripa continued, “And I am so grateful to you for keeping this show, and certainly my personal spirit, going all these years. I absolutely love you. “The only person who loves you more than me is sitting next to me,” he said, referring to Consuelos, 52.
In total, Moore has been with the company for 54 years – that goes back to when it was still called Cap Cities. Ripa and Consuelos joked that it was the network that signed their deal. All My Children sent checks and “great Christmas presents”.
Moore was shy about celebrating his time. Live, but Ripa ended the episode with even more kind words about her involvement. “We are very excited and honored to be able to work with you and see you every day. We do not find it natural that what you are doing is very difficult and that you make it seem easy.”
Regarding Moore’s frequent appearance on the show, she added: “People think you’re sitting on our set and turning the wheel, but that’s not what he actually does. He has a huge job and does it with very little fanfare, and we’re just grateful.”
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Live with Kelly and Mark It airs weekday mornings on ABC (check local listings).