Introduction:
The story behind Kelly Ripa's rise to stardom as a morning talk show host.
This story begins in 2011 when Kelly Ripa was co-host on Live with Regis and Kelly. The story moves through the next year when Kelly finally becomes the star of her own TV show, Live with Kelly and Michael.
*
Kelly Ripa is really pissed off. She has been co-host of the ABC morning show, "Live with Regis and Kelly", for ten years now. She has poured her heart and soul into this television program. She has done everything she can think of to make the show a success and to make sure that Regis Philbin looks good on camera. And after all this, what does she have to show for all her efforts? She has nothing to show but heartache.
Regis Philbin has recently announced, during one of the shows, that he is going to retire. Regis even kept it a secret from Kelly, until just prior to the show airing that day. He couldn't even trust her with the information before that. That was the first thing to upset her. The worst was yet to come. The program executives have just announced that they are in the process of auditioning numerous male celebrities to take over as host of the show. Kelly was totally overlooked and not even given consideration. Once again, she is in the backseat to a male host. Once again, she is just an insignificant co-host. Boy oh boy, is she ever pissed.
No longer able to contain herself, she has been spouting off her displeasure to anyone who will listen. One person in particular is her dentist, Dr. Paul Sullivan. Kelly has been seeing him since she first moved to New York. She comes to his office quite often for regular check-ups, as well as teeth cleaning and whitening. Dr. Sullivan has spent hours hearing Ms. Ripa complain about the ABC network and their lack of recognition of her talent. She complains that she is the real star of the show and should be given the top slot. Frankly, he is sick and tired of her constant whining.
Dr. Sullivan is sitting in a bar one evening, having a few drinks with his closest friend, Jim Coleman. The two of them met while serving in the Army during the Persian Gulf War. The doctor was in the Medical Corps while Jim was in the Intelligence Corps. Jim saved Dr. Sullivan's life during their stint in Iraq and the doctor promised Jim that he would repay him someday. They both ended up settling in New York City; Dr. Sullivan as a dentist and Jim Coleman as a security advisor.
While sitting in the bar, Dr. Sullivan has been telling Jim stories about Kelly Ripa and her constant complaining. Jim has always had a thing for Kelly, even though he finds her attitude a little bitchy. A thought comes into Jim's head and he thinks he has found a way for Dr. Sullivan to repay his debt to him. He presents his idea to his friend, who at first is reluctant, but then decides to go along with Jim's plan.
Kelly has an appointment, coming up with Dr. Sullivan, to have a root canal on an upper molar. She will have a temporary cap put on for about a week while the new porcelain veneer cap is made. Jim wants the doctor to place a miniature transmitter/receiver in the hollowed out tooth for that week long period. Dr. Sullivan will remove it when the final cap is put on.
The dental procedure goes off without any problems. Two days later, Kelly is sitting in her dressing room after the show. She is talking to herself about her displeasures with the show. As she sits in front of her makeup mirror, she has no possible idea that Jim Coleman can hear every word that she says.
"I should be the main star of this show", she says indignantly. "The live audience comes to the studio just to see me. The TV viewers tune in every day just to see me. I'm the one who poses in all the magazines. I'm the one that everybody adores and loves. Regis thinks that he is such a big hot shot. What has he ever done in his career to be the star? God, I would do absolutely anything to be the future host of this show."
In a deep majestic voice, Jim speaks to her through the transmitter in her tooth. A voice echoes in her head, a voice that only Kelly can hear.
"Anything, Kelly?" the voice says.
Completely startled, Kelly spins around in her swivel chair, "Who said that?" A quick scan tells her that no one else in the dressing room. She looks over at the adjoining bathroom but nobody is there either. She gets up out of the chair and rushes to the dressing room door. She looks up and down the hall only to see the corridor empty. Kelly then slams her door shut. "All right, this isn't funny. Who's in here?" she says slightly frightened.
"You're the one that called me", the voice says.
Now panicked, Kelly picks up the phone and calls security to her room. The guard shows up quickly and knocks on her door, "Security Ms. Ripa." The door opens to Kelly standing there with terrified eyes. "Someone's hiding in here", she says, "I want them found immediately and arrested." The security guard enters the room cautiously but can quickly determine that the relatively small two room area was clear. The guard looks perplexed but even searches the wardrobe closet and cabinets.
"No one is in here, Ms. Ripa", he says confidently. "I could swear I heard someone," Kelly says. Not wanting to appear crazy, she thanks him and sends the guard on his way. The guard leaves the room closing the door behind him. She goes back to sitting in her makeup chair and looking at herself in the mirror.
"So you really think that you are the star?" says the voice, in a concerning manner.
"All right", says Kelly, "I've had enough. Who and where are you?" Kelly is starting to tremble and she is quickly returning to panic mode.
"You called me by name and I am here with you", the non-menacing voice speaks again.
"And just who did I call", says Kelly, as her head begins to spin around the room looking for someone.
"You called for God and here I am", the voice says.
"Yeah right, if you're God, prove it to me. Do some sort of miracle or something", says Kelly in an indigent tone. "If you insist," the voice responds.
Jim sends a mild shock through the transmitter that shoots through her whole body.
"Ouch!!" she cries out in pain. "What in the heck was that all about?"
The voice speaks once more. "You wanted proof. Does this now satisfy you? If not then I can make it last longer or be more painful, whatever you would prefer."
A totally freaked out Kelly sits twitching around in her chair. She subserviently looks all around herself responding, "No please. That is more than enough. I believe. I believe. What do you want with me? Why are you talking to me?"
"You asked for my help, so I am here to help", the deep comforting voice tells her.
"Okay, but how can you help me?" respectfully she asks. Convinced that the Supreme Being is speaking to her, Kelly is now paying close attention to every word the voice says to her.
"I have been listening to you, Kelly. You seem to think quite highly of yourself. The truth is that you are not the star quality that you feel you are. Take Regis Philbin for instance, he has spent his entire career giving his viewers everything that they want. He will do anything that gives them laughter and pleasure. He is not afraid to look foolish or embarrassed, as long as the program's audience and viewers enjoy the show. He does everything he can to please his fans and viewing public."
"Now you, Kelly, are quite different. You do only what pleases you the most. You only do the things that you feel makes you look good. You are not willing to go the whole distance to please others. This is why you can never be the star of the show. You are far too selfish in your life and in the way you treat people. If you want to be the star then you have got to change your ways. You are going to have to become a much more giving person."
Kelly feels terribly ashamed by what God is telling her. "I can change God" she devoutly says, "I can do all those things. Please just give me the chance. Just tell me what I have to do. I'll do anything to be the star of the show. Please give me one more chance to prove myself worthy."
"I will give you a chance to prove yourself", the voice tells her. "But you have to stop being such a prima donna and prove to me that you can serve rather than be served. You do this for me and I will help you become the real star of your show."
Kelly obediently responds, "Oh yes God. I will do anything you want me to do. Just tell me what I have to do to prove myself and I will do it."
The voice of God commands her, "Become a servant to prove your worth to me. Show me that you can do what it takes to tend to the needs of other people and what it takes to please others, rather than yourself. Learn the pleasures of giving rather than getting. I want you to apply for a job as a simple maid. Go to this address in Manhattan and become a maid serving the needs of others. Show me that you can spend one weekend pleasing someone besides yourself. If you can do this for me then I will do all I can for you."
On Saturday morning, Kelly rings the doorbell of a stylish Manhattan high rise apartment. A tall, handsome man answers the door. "Are you Mr. Jim Coleman?" she politely asks.
"Yes, I am", he replies.
"I'm here for the job interview as your maid," says Kelly.
"Please come in", he says gesturing her inside. "And your name is?" he asks.
Kelly smiles at him and flutters her eye lashes, "Why Kelly Ripa, of course."
"And I should know you exactly how?" questions Jim.
"I thought you would have recognized me", she smirks. "You know, the TV show, Live with Regis and Kelly."
Jim looks surprised and tells her, "Oh yes, I know who you are now. You're Regis Philbin's side kick."
Kelly makes a sour face and looks at him with distain, "I'm the co-host."