Mark Consuelos says show with Kelly Ripa settled morning sex debate

Mark Consuelos is offering an intimate look at his life with wife Kelly Ripa behind-the-scenes.

The 54-year-old actor, who cohosts “Live With Kelly and Mark” alongside his spouse, said during a broadcast Tuesday, March 3, that taping the show has gotten in the way of his preference for morning sex.

Consuelos’ confession came after the hosts welcomed guest Christa Miller to the program. The “Shrinking” star, 61, quickly took aim at Consuelos for his previous confession that he prefers intimacy in the morning, while Ripa does not.

“I have something to say. I watch this show, I’m a fan,” Miller said. “And, Mark, I’m going to say this with love. There’s no morning sex. No one likes it. And not even on the weekends.” Consuelos then admitted that their new filming schedule leaves little time for it. “I’ve got to tell you, this job has really gotten in the way of that. It’s been the antidote for it,” he said.

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“We also don’t fall for the, ‘I just want to cuddle you’ in the morning,” Miller quipped, with Ripa then chiming in to say: “I always say spooning leads to forking.”

Ripa, who met Consuelos on the set of soap opera “All My Children,” succeeded Kathie Lee Gifford as Regis Philbin’s permanent cohost in 2001. The show became “Live with Regis and Kelly” until Philbin retired in 2011. Ripa has now been the top host for 25 years, taking the chair with cohosts Michael Strahan (2012–16), Ryan Seacrest (2017–23) and now Consuelos.

In a previous interview with USA TODAY, Ripa said she was surprised by how well it worked when Consuelos filled in permanently.

“We thought it was a terrible idea. It’s like who wants to see two married people bicker every morning,” she said. “It turns out it’s very interesting and relatable.”

Contributing: Bryan Alexander, USA TODAY