It’s not uncommon for the teams working on long-running TV shows to become like family over the years—which is why Friday, Sept. 20, was a particularly difficult day for LIVE With Kelly and Mark.
As Kelly Ripa told the audience during the last episode of the week, it was veteran producer Art Moore‘s final day on the job. According to Hello!, it seemed nobody was ready to say goodbye.
“It’s a day for celebration, a day for joy, and personally for us on the studio floor, a devastating day. It is a day we are celebrating Art Moore’s retirement,” Ripa explained.
“I don’t know where to begin but I will say, this is not us saying goodbye to you. We will never say goodbye to you, as you know,” the host continued, raising a glass of sparkling cider.
“You have been the singular most important person to every single person here. As evidenced by the amount of people that you work with each and every day who love, honor and cherish you and everything you have given to us. You are a giver and we honor you and shower you with our gratitude and love, eternally.”
Ripa then hugged Moore, telling him she loved him, as Mark Consuelos, announcer Deja Vu, and producer Michael Gelman raised their own glasses.
A montage featuring some of Moore’s most memorable career moments was shared to LIVE‘s official Instagram page, where fans also had an emotional reaction.
“Aww this really touched me- I want to meet Art !!!!!😍” wrote one commenter.
“Gonna miss seeing Art 💔,” lamented another person.
Moore was LIVE‘s executive in charge of production for the past 36 years, though he worked at ABC for 53 years in total. He was known for making frequent—and funny—appearances on the show. The producer announced his retirement in May 2024, on Consuelos and Ripa’s wedding anniversary.
