Ripa is taking a break from hosting ‘Live with Kelly and Mark’ while recovering from gum graft surgery
Credit: abc
NEED TO KNOW
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Mila Kunis guest-hosted Live with Kelly and Mark while Kelly Ripa recovered from gum graft surgery
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Ashton Kutcher supported Kunis from backstage and participated in the ‘Stump Mark’ segment
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Kunis is one of several celebrity co-hosts filling in for Ripa during her recovery this week
Mila Kunis had a special guest backstage while guest-hosting Live with Kelly and Mark.
The actress, 42, filled in for Kelly Ripa on the daytime talk show on Wednesday, July 29, while Ripa is on a temporary leave of absence to recover from a recent gum graft surgery.
At the top of the episode, Kunis told Mark Consuelos that being on the show was “so fun.”
“I have to tell you, I’m never on this side of anything,” she added. “And so, given the power that I can talk about anything I want, it’s too much power for one person to have.”
Credit: abc
Kunis noted that her husband, Ashton Kutcher, whom she wed in 2015 and shares two kids with, came with her and was hiding backstage. The revelation prompted gasps from the crowd.
“I love that you gasped that my husband’s backstage,” the Black Swan actress said. “He is backstage, guys. He’s really real, and he’s here.”
The guest-host pointed to Kutcher, saying, “There he is! He’s so happy right now. Hi, babe!” Kutcher gave her a thumbs-up and waved to her.
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During the “Stump Mark” segment, Kutcher, 48, lent a helping hand to his wife as she tried to figure out which statement from a fan caller was true and which was a lie. The first statement read, “I wrote a home & garden column for my local newspaper,” while the second statement read, “I placed 4th in the world championship dainty contest.”
After the fan revealed her column didn’t have a name, Kunis was convinced that that was the lie. Unsure, Consuelos checked their Instagram poll, which revealed that 61% of viewers disagreed with her. Then, the pair asked Kutcher for his opinion.
“No, it’s not ‘Stump Ashton,’ ” he joked. “I have no idea. I mean, I’ll say the description of the dainty thing seemed pretty specific.”
When Consuelos asked if Kunis agreed with Kutcher, she said, “Yeah, but I don’t want to disagree with the internet. It’s not nice. They’ll come after you. I’m going to say. I’m not a part of this. Don’t go after Mark, internet. Don’t go after me.”
Deciding to go with the viewers’ choice, Consuelos chose the column fact as a lie, which proved to be correct. The camera panned to Kutcher, who jokingly shrugged.
Kunis is the second celebrity to fill in for Ripa while she’s away, following Kevin Jonas’ stint on Monday, July 27, and Tuesday, July 28. Pamela Adlon is slated to co-host on Thursday, July 30, and Scott Foley on Friday, July 31.
Credit: LORENZO BEVILAQUA/Disney via Getty
Consuelos revealed that Ripa is recovering from gum graft surgery and would be taking a leave of absence from the talk show. Ripa is expected to be out from Live for the next week, a rep for the show confirmed to PEOPLE at the time.
“Kelly sends her love,” Consuelos said as he welcomed guest Jonas, 38, on the July 27 broadcast. “Kelly had a little bit — well, it’s not a little — she had a gum graft surgery.”
A gum graft is a common periodontal procedure used to treat receding or thinning gums by transferring healthy gum tissue to cover exposed tooth roots. According to the Cleveland Clinic, the surgery can help reduce tooth sensitivity, protect against further gum recession and improve overall oral health.
He explained that though his wife is “doing well,” doctors ordered Ripa not to speak while she heals. Other rules include eating only soft foods, avoiding straws and resisting the urge to inspect the surgical site.
On July 28, Consuelos said Ripa was “feeling better” and can even say “certain things.”
“And she got a lot of love, messages, people were checking in, cause we announced it on the show that she had surgery,” he added.
Live with Kelly and Mark airs weekdays in syndication (check local listings).
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