Behind the scenes at 'Live with Kelly and Ryan'
Earlier this month, "Live with Kelly and Ryan" launched a new season - its 30th in national syndication.
ABC7 recently got a behind-the-scenes view of the show and chatted with co-hosts Kelly Ripa and Ryan Seacrest to find out what makes this new TV duo work so well.
"Ryan and I have been friends for years. I mean, years and years. So, we actually know each other on a completely different level than just a television union. We have a real relationship," Ripa said.
And like any good marriage, this one is a comedy of errors.
"I believe there are bloopers ... everyday on this show. Just getting out of the backstage area is a blooper," Seacrest said.
"Our new entrance confuses Ryan and me. We're trying to come out. We can't fit through the opening together, which confuses us and we keep smashing our heads into the mirror," Ripa said.
Longtime executive producer Michael Gelman -- who, by the way, went to high school in Highland Park, Ill. -- keeps the chaos in check. But he says this pair doesn't need much direction.
"It's just magic. I mean, they really like each other. They have fun together, on and off the set and, I think when we have fun, you feel it at home and it's infectious! You want to watch it," Gelman said.
And people do. Not just at home. Fans put some serious miles into being a member of the studio audience.
The line of ticket-holders waiting to get in to see "Live with Kelly and Ryan" is made up of people from all over the country, some showing up as early as 6 a.m. to get a front-row seat.
On a recent visit, one woman from L.A. came even earlier.
"There wasn't a line yet. There was nobody waiting. There was a nice security woman here and she said, 'People don't line up until 5:30 or 6.' So, I said, 'Oh! OK!' said Jennifer Redelle Carrey.
But the effort is worth the reward. Ripa and Seacrest are warm. They scramble between their seats and the audience during commercial break.
"Live with Kelly and Ryan" airs at 9 a.m. weekdays on ABC7.
