Kelly Ripa Tells Accused Ryan Seacrest on Their TV Show: ‘I Adore You’

ABC’s Kelly Ripa made a very public show of support for her embattled Live! co-host Ryan Seacrest on Thursday. Seacrest has denied accusations of sexual assault made by his former stylist Suzie Hardy, but has not mentioned the controversy or allegations on the air. The scandal was not mentioned directly on Thursday’s show, but after talking about preparing for their Oscars presenting duties—Seacrest is still due to anchor E!’s red-carpet coverage, and the morning-after edition of Live!—Ripa turned to him and said: “I just want you to know that you are a privilege to work with, and I adore you. And I am speaking on behalf of all us here. I know what an easy, professional, great person you are and I feel very, very lucky to work with you each and every day. We all do.” The pair then linked arms behind their backs. “You are happiness,” Seacrest told Ripa. “You are happiness,” Ripa responded. “You are happiness wrapped in chocolate, so there.” —Tim Teeman