Why Ryan Seacrests Absence From Live Was Turning Heads

Where in the world was Ryan Seacrest? Fans were beginning to wonder where the beloved TV host went after he neglected to show up on Live with Kelly and Ryan all this week. The American Idol alum isn't missing, of course. He returned to the show on December 18th, decked out in several dazzling Christmas sweaters. He was also popping up regularly on Instagram, and it looks like he's as anxious for 2021 to come as we are. He's posting pictures of New Years' fireworks already. But despite his Instagram presence, it's unclear where Seacrest was and what he was doing to keep him from his regular day job. Bravo head honcho Andy Cohen took over on Monday and Tuesday, while Anderson Cooper tackled Wednesday and Thursday. Thursday's absence meant that Seacrest missed out on the show's almost-a-Christmas party. Plenty of fans were excited to see Cooper on the show, with many flocking to the comments to express their adoration for him. One noted, quote, "please have him on more often" but was quick to add, "btw I like Ryan too." Absences on the show do occur occasionally, of course. Ripa herself was absent on December 3, because her husband, Mark Consuelos, had just returned home from Vancouver after wrapping on Riverdale. She was replaced by Tamron Hall that day. However, neither of the show's hosts are usually missing for such an extended period of time. One question on many fans' minds is whether Ryan Seacrest is secretly getting ready to move on from the show. And with each day that passed without his return, those worries grew. Could changes be brewing? The talk show host could simply be busy filming American Idol, or taking a break. The TV host's social media suggests he's working. A recent Instagram post seemingly featured the Idol logo in the background. Then there's Seacrest's Twitter. A tweet from December 15 suggests that Seacrest is busy preparing for Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve with Ryan Seacrest, a program set to go live on December 31, at 8 p.m. Eastern. While it's Seacrest's 16th year hosting the show, this year Jennifer Lopez is coming. And if JLo's about to knock on your door, you better be ready. Fans looking for Seacrest on Live with Kelly and Ryan quickly began posting comments on Seacrest's Instagram account. One worried fan wrote: "Missed you today! You're the best person for Kelly next to Mark of course." Another fan posted: "Didn't see you on the morning show. I hope you're okay. Missed you !!!" Other Seacrest followers took to Twitter, concerned about how "tired" he looks. It's hard not to panic, of course, but until he leaves officially, there's no reason to believe Seacrest won't continue to co-host Live. Because, while it's clear that Kelly Ripa and Anderson Cooper are close, Kelly Ripa and Ryan Seacrest are, too. They're such good friends, in fact, that in February 2020, Ripa announced that ABC had green-lighted a pilot based on their relationship, titled Work Wife. In an interview with ET in mid-November this year, Ripa said of her co-host: "Working with your friend is a great privilege. It is a joy, and I have to say that it is a rare thing to work with a guy who is so authentic and fun and joyful and humble and generous and kind to everyone. It's a weird codependency. We're happy to have our psychiatric episodes unfold before everyone on live TV." That's sweet, and it also means that at least as of a month ago, Ripa didn't seem to be planning on Seacrest going anywhere. And although he didn't give an explicit reason for his absence, it was nice to have him back on December 18th. #RyanSeacrest #KellyAndRyan