Monday, February 11, 2013

Live with Kelly (and Me)


This post is part of a Generation Fabulous bloghop. The February theme is celebrity crushes.


I have never been one to advocate hero worship, and thus have had very few celebrity “heroes” throughout my life. Oh yes, there were the people I admired: the civil rights activists, the teachers; the Mother Teresas of the world...and of course members of my family at different times during the years. But there really was never anyone whom I would recommend putting on a pedestal. (I’ve been saving that honor for yours truly...like that will ever happen!)

Kelly Ripa probably falls into none of the categories that I’ve mentioned--I don’t think she’s a philanthropist, and I daresay that she’s not a civil rights’ activist.  So it might come as a huge surprise to anyone who knows me (and actually I am quite surprised about it myself) that I am a Kelly Ripa wannabe!

Call me shallow, call me vapid...I’m going out on a limb here by admitting this, and I think that alone should earn me some sympathy points. All I know is that most mornings at nine a.m. you can find me in front of my TV waiting to see Kelly and her hunky cohost Michael Strahan come through the door with a flourish. 

What will she be wearing? Will it be the black Manolos or the gray suede Nina Riccis?  I especially love the black and white Stella McCartney dress she used to wear last year, and there was a little purple number that was another fave of mine.  I drink my morning coffee and listen as she and Michael banter back and forth about her kids, her husband...her life. It’s my guilty pleasure--to live vicariously through Kelly Ripa. 

Could Kelly and I be friends? She’s a blonde and I'm “brunette,” she is a TV personality, and being a celebrity in my own mind does not make it so.  She earns 20 mill a year, and I...don’t even ask. She’s 42 and I am...not. OK, OK, so there are not very many things we have in common...we’re both little, does that count for anything? (Yes, I know, she’s little-er than I am...so what!) Who’s to say that the person you admire has to be like you? In fact, I bet most people admire folks who are nothing like them for that very reason.

But wait a minute...she and I are not all that different. She’s a mom...a working mom. I’m a working mom! So what that she earns a “few” shekels more than I do. She’s out there in the trenches everyday...getting her hair and makeup done...toiling away and interviewing the likes of Ben Affleck, Catherine Zeta Jones and Brooke Shields. She’s under a lot of pressure having to be cute and witty under all those hot lights.

She’s got three children who test her patience just like mine did way back when. And she’s a hands-on mom: picks those kids up from school in her chauffeured SUV(after her morning show and daily two hours of private training at the gym). She shuttles them to doctors’ appointments and after-school activities (and shares the load with her Adonis-lookalike hubby Mark to whom she’s been married for over 16 years). That’s a tough row to hoe, but I can relate...sort of.

In all honesty, I do admire her. I think she’s adorable and a very savvy businesswoman. The little girl from a working class family in New Jersey has earned her stripes.

And I was wrong about her not being philanthropic: last week she participated in the  Empire State Building Run-Up for charity. (Wonder how many pounds she lost on that one--she’s probably even littler now!) Kelly, in addition to about 700 people from around the world, including some elite athletes, took part in a vertical race, up 86 flights of stairs. They climbed a total of 1,576 steps, starting at the lobby and finishing at the observation deck. And she finished in 18 minutes! (She was a veritable Tinkerbell flying up those steps--I admire her strength, determination...and knees!)

The charity Kelly was running for was Team for Kids, the primary charity fund-raising vehicle for New York Road Runner’s youth services division. Funds raised through Team for Kids provide “free or low-cost school and community-based health and fitness programs to children who would otherwise have no access to regular physical activity.” The programs serve nearly 100,000 children each year in more than 400 schools across New York City and beyond.

Kelly and her crew raised over $80,000 for Team for Kids at the Run-Up, so don’t be a hater on Kelly; or on me for being a Kelly Ripa wannabe. A person could do worse.

Love ya, Kel...I think I can call her that now. Say “hi” to Michael for me.





26 comments :

  1. Haha! I'll be honest, I don't know who Kelly Ripa is (ah, my detached non-US life). But I loved reading your post and hearing about your celebrity crush. Great writing! You make some good points. :)

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    1. You not knowing Kelly is probably a good thing. I'm embarrassed to admit that I watch TV so early in the morning...even during the day at all!

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  2. It's interesting to read about how the "relatable" nature of this morning TV show host connects with you as an audience member. It's a trick to cast these hosts. I was worried about Kelly taking over for Kathy Lee (because she looked like a younger cookie cutter version), but she's done a great job--which you demonstrate in your post. This is a fun twist on the celebrity crush theme. I fantasize about being gal pals with Ellen, Rosie and Oprah. Wouldn't that be fun to "do lunch" with any of them?

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    1. I would have lunch with any/all of them, Karen. As long as they pick up the check!

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  3. You can take Kelly - I'm crushing on Michael Strahan! Yes, even with that mile-wide gap in his teeth.

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    1. Sharon, I love Michael too. But that's a post for another blog roll!

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  4. I've never seen her show, but I would guess it is that relatability that builds an audience for those daily chat shows. If the viewers didn't feel like they could be friends, would they keep watching?

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  5. Kelly is a adorable! I don't blame you for wanting to be a wannabe!

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  6. Kelly is adorable. She is one of my favorite chat show hosts.

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  7. I absolutely adore Kelly Ripa. Hell, I loved her with that mop of black hair on All My Children! (Remember that?)

    I love the way she is so relatable. I love the way we see her integrate her marriage and family into conversation (and, hello? her life?)... I just find her funny and smart and substantive.

    Well, as much as one can, sitting in the cheap seats and not knowing her!

    There was a marvelous profile done on her in a magazine recently. (It's likely ELLE, Vogue, or Bazaar.) If you can find it - try. You'll be crushing on her even more!

    Loved this, Mindy.

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  8. Kelly is definitely cute. I'm embarrassed to admit I haven't watched that show much. Just an occasional glimpse. I didn't even know there was a new co-host till my husband told me.

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  9. Whenever I see Kelly I stare at her arms because I see absolutely no body fat there. I think she's funny, and I love funny. And I'm impressed that she did the run up the Empire State building's stairs. I ran 9 flights with my kids to beat the crowd when we visited and I though I was going to be found curled up in the fetal position 3 floors from the top. Thanks - loved this!

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  10. I haven't watched Kelly with Michael Strahan. I guess I'll have to tune in the next time I'm home in the daytime. Great post.

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  11. Kelly is as cute as a button with the energy of a cheerleader! I can see why you'd have a crush :)

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  12. It's really great to have someone you love spending the first hour or so of the morning with. We're going with Charlie Rose these days -- we don't get up that early but with the magic of Tivo we can watch his initial run-through of the news on the CBS Morning Show when we get up.

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  13. I absolutely adore Kelly Ripa. And Michael Strahan ain't so bad himself. I can see other people agree LOL.

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  14. I learn so much from the Blog Hop; this time about Kelly and a run that would make your glut's scream.

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  15. I've always been a fan of "Live" - and when Kelly was made a co-host I was even happier! She is just adorable and I've always loved her! I so agree with her view of her marriage and elopement.

    She wanted it to be more about their life together, and less about "The Wedding". Great view!

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  16. I do admire Kelly Ripa for her sheer enthusiasm about living. Does she ever get down? Does she ever just feel like lying in bed all day? I like to watch her and hope that her ball of energyness is catching. She might be little, but she's very dynamic. And entirely crush-worthy.

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  17. Thanks for the introduction to Kelly. The image of her as a veritable Tinkerbell flying up those steps for Team for Kids is a great first impression!

    Yvonne recently posted about another celebrity crush I grew up with John Travolta...

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  18. Mindy...I agree, and she is no dummy! There was a week a couple of years back that she was doing a vocabulary contest and put herself right out there- she was very good, and it was quite impressive- made me change my mind about her totally!

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  19. I totally get your crush. I think Kelly is gorgeous and very witty. Whenever I'm home on a weekday I watch the show, and I especially love when her husband co-hosts with her. Are they not the most adorable couple ever?

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  20. Kelly is the most down to earth of the talk show set!!!

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  21. Mindy, have started reading your blog (it's in my favorites) and am enjoying it! Miss seeing you at Wms-Sonoma, however, it seems as though you have adjusted nicely to the East Coast.

    Take care,
    Maria Landgraf

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  22. Was trying to figure out the Kelly appeal (I don't often watch the show, I admit) but you've made a solid case here for her and her brand of success. I will tune in with a different eye now - thanks!

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  23. Saw a promo for Kelly and Michael yesterday and thought of you, Mindy!

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