Today's Live! with Kelly and Ryan featured Gilmore Girls star Lauren Graham, who opened up about her very first acting job: a small part on ABC's All My Children.
In a chat with co-host Ryan Seacrest and guest co-host Ali Wentworth -- who was filling in for absent co-host Kelly Ripa (Hayley Santos, AMC) -- Graham shared some memories from her 1994 stint as Erica's (Susan Lucci) assistant.
"It was my first real speaking role and I forgot my script at home! I kind of had to make up my lines," Graham recalled. "I also remember that Susan Lucci, at five in the morning, was, like, impeccable -- beautiful, hair and makeup. I don't know; the whole thing blew my mind, because I had grown up watching that show, so I was intimidated."
Wentworth took the opportunity to chime in with her own soap opera memory. "It's scary!" she shared. "My first role was on a soap called Santa Barbara and all I had to do was say, 'Yes,' but I was so [nervous], like, 'Yes! Yes? Yes?!' Oh my god! And I literally almost threw up on the Metro bus to Burbank."
Check out Graham's Live! clip, which also includes throwback AMC footage, below.
Meanwhile, many fans are wondering where Kelly Ripa has been this week. TV personality Maria Menounos filled in for the co-host on Monday and Tuesday of this week, while Wentworth took over co-hosting duties on today's episode. Seacrest said little about Ripa's absence, only noting that she "had the day off." The three consecutive absences have sparked rumors that Ripa is considering leaving the show that she's been co-hosting since 2001.
Ripa made an admission last year during her 50th birthday that her days on the syndicated talk show might be dwindling. In an interview with Parade, she said, "I've been writing a lot, so my goal ultimately would be to eventually get off camera and start working behind the camera more in that creative aspect because I really do enjoy the writing process so much."
She continued, "I talk about this with Ryan all the time because I was really looking to retire like by now, but Ryan Seacrest is so fabulous to work with and he is such a good friend. We've been friends for two decades, and I've got to tell you, he is really such a draw to me there."
As fans know, Ripa has been busy behind the camera, producing the upcoming All My Children reboot. Could that project be what's behind her recent absence from Live! with Kelly and Ryan? Hopefully, the answer will be clear soon. In the meantime, check out some juicy teasers that the actress revealed about the primetime reimagining of her former soap here.
What do you think about Lauren Graham's memories of working on All My Children? Did you know that she got her start on the ABC soap opera opposite Susan Lucci? Meanwhile, why do you think Kelly Ripa has been absent from her talk show this week? We want to hear from you -- so drop your comments in the Comments section below, tweet about it on Twitter, share it on Facebook, or chat about it on our Message Boards.
