Body language expert Jess Ponce III gave Nicki Swift his exclusive comments about the “Live with Kelly and Mark” debut on April 17. Ponce observed the couple’s clasped hands when walking out, which he said, “shows both commitment and a bit of nervousness.” But Mark Consuelos may have been more anxious than Kelly Ripa. To Ponce, Consuelos’ decision to pull out Ripa’s chair for her showed he is “conscientious of being a gentleman” or at least appearing like one on air. The expert added that it also showed “he was … slightly nervous and found refuge behind a chair. Either way, he gave his wife her props.” Ponce saw that Consuelos knows Ripa has top billing as it’s been her show for decades, and that “she is the leading force behind it.”
Ponce did question, though, whether the couple had agreed on how to start the show, citing Ripa’s initial move to the side of the table as if she wanted them to greet the audience first. “The show is known for its spontaneous opening dialogue, so it is likely that they were not in alignment,” Ponce said. However, he also noted, “Both approaches are sweet, him giving her attention and her wanting to pull him out into the limelight.”
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As Consuelos later reached for her hand and thanked her, the producers, and the audience, Ripa placed her hand on his, which “definitely shows appreciation, sincerity, and mutual trust,” Ponce shared. “Meanwhile, Kelly does what she does — drives the content and humor of this TV staple.”
