Fans Get VIP Access to Live with Kelly and Mark’s Oscars Recap Show in Hollywood

HOLLYWOOD, Calif. — A lucky group of News Channel viewers got the chance for a VIP experience on Monday morning, sitting in the same venue where Hollywood’s biggest stars had gathered just hours before for the 97th Academy Awards.

These excited fans made an early morning trip from Santa Barbara to Hollywood to attend Live with Kelly and Mark’s After the Oscars special at the Dolby Theatre. Among the enthusiastic attendees was Dana Hansen from Montecito, who expressed her joy about being part of the event.

"Oh, this is the ultimate!" she exclaimed. "Who needs sleep? Who needs it? This is fantastic. The energy level is so high."

The excitement radiating from the fans was so palpable that it even woke up Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos before their alarms went off.

"The cheering is what woke us up instead of our alarms … the cheering actually woke us up," Ripa shared. "And I was like, ‘They’re here, time to go to work!’"

The hosts brought their signature New York City vibe to Los Angeles, launching their special with a recap of the red carpet highlights. The show also featured a special appearance by comedian Nikki Glaser and an electrifying performance by Lil Jon and Steve Aoki, which got the audience on their feet.

With recent wildfires affecting the Los Angeles region, Kelly and Mark took a moment to acknowledge the dedication of first responders and firefighters, many of whom were part of the audience. The crowd responded with a heartfelt standing ovation as the hosts personally thanked them and shook their hands.

Having just attended the Oscars the night before, Kelly and Mark shared their thoughts about meeting celebrities on the red carpet.

"The goal is to do great acting, make an incredible movie, and then be rewarded for that at the end," Ripa explained. "So when you’re meeting people that have just achieved that … it’s like they’re living out lifelong dreams, thinking about holding an Oscar while staring in the mirror … that feeling never gets old."

The 97th Academy Awards featured several surprises, notably the indie film Anora, which took home five Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Actress for Mikey Madison, who won in a stunning upset against favorite Demi Moore. Director Sean Baker also made history by becoming only the second person to secure four Oscars in one night, a record previously held only by Walt Disney.

While the ceremony maintained a conservative tone overall, host Conan O’Brien brought an entertaining mix of humor and seriousness, addressing topics like the Los Angeles wildfires while also delivering clever one-liners.

Memorable moments included passionate acceptance speeches, such as the filmmakers of No Other Land advocating for peace in the Israel-Palestine conflict and Adrien Brody speaking out against oppression and racism. Additionally, Zoe Saldaña made history by becoming the first Dominican-American Oscar winner.

The musical performances were highlighted by Wicked stars Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo, who opened the show with their stunning rendition of Defying Gravity. Meanwhile, Kieran Culkin’s amusing but touching acceptance speech put the focus on his wife, jokingly stating that he won his Oscar, and now she owes him another child.

Hollywood, Oscars, Fans