Mark Consuelos Admits He Only Saw Wife Kelly Ripa '19 Days' Over 10 Months During the COVID-19 Pandemic: 'Scary Times'
Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos spent a lot of time apart during the pandemic.
Aug. 7 2026, Published 5:54 p.m. ET
Mark Consuelos barely saw his wife, Kelly Ripa, for nearly one year amid the COVID-19 pandemic shutdowns, RadarOnline.com can reveal.
During the Friday, August 7, installment of Live With Kelly and Mark, the Riverdale actor, 55, admitted that he was only able to visit with Ripa, also 55, for 19 days over 10 months.
Mark Consuelos Was Under 'Strict Protocols' During Pandemic
Carrie Coon guest-hosted 'Live With Kelly and Mark' on August 7.
When celebrity guest host Carrie Coon asked him why they were apart for so long, Consuelos said it was because he was "working in Canada."
Coon gasped, "You were in the strict protocols," referring to the country's stringent guidelines that were put in place so entertainers could more safely work in the industry during the COVID-19 lockdowns.
"That was a scary time," she noted.
Kelly Ripa Stole Mark Conseulos' Side of the Bed
Mark Consuelos accused Kelly Ripa of stealing his 'side of the bed.'
When Consuelos finally made it home, one thing had changed.
"My side of the bed, she had taken my side of the bed," he lamented, calling out his wife of just over 30 years.
While the White Lotus star suggested there could be "something sort of sweet" about that, Consuelos wasn't sold.
"I didn't see it that way," he explained. "I said, 'This is my side of the bed.' And she said, 'You don't live here.'"
Mark Consuelos Admits Defeat
Mark Consuelos shares three kids with Kelly Ripa.
The father-of-three – who welcomed Michael, Lola and Joaquin with Ripa – finally admitted that she was right and they decided to switch sides of the bed permanently.
However, he theorized that she may have always wanted to sleep on that side because the "air conditioner goes over her onto me."
"I love it freezing," he added.
Kelly Ripa's Return Date to 'Live' Confirmed After 'Painful' Surgery
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Kelly Ripa will return to 'Live' on September 8.
As Radar previously reported, Ripa has not been able to film the popular morning show for the past two weeks as she recovers from a "painful" gum graft surgery that her dentist warned her that she would need five years ago.
In her absence, an array of celebrity guests, including Kevin Jonas, Scott Foley, Sarah Chalke, Mila Kunis and Garcelle Beauvais, have joined Consuelos to help him host the show.
On July 27, Consuelos confirmed his wife made it through the procedure just fine, but she wasn't yet able to speak or eat normal foods as she healed.
"There’s a list of things that you’re not allowed to do – talking, she has to eat soft food, you can’t suck out of a straw," he shared with Jonas at the time. "You can’t examine it, which means pulling down the lip."
"She famously doesn’t feel pain," he continued. "But this one hurts, so I know it’s bad."
Live With Kelly and Mark is going on summer break and will switch to pre-recorded content for the next month. On September 8, Ripa is set to make her grand return in her first live episode since her surgery.
