Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos introduce Kate Hudson and Hugh Jackman, and more specifically their “Song San Bleu” Neil Diamond Band tribute characters, in a new promo for Monday’s post-Oscars special, “Live with Kelly and Mark.” And Variety has a first look at this show-stopping rhinestone-encrusted piece.
Oscar parodies have become part of the “Live” tradition, and last year Ripa played Glinda in a send-up of “Wicked.” In the 2026 edition, the “Live” producers couldn’t resist a little “Sweet Caroline” (BOM! BOM! BOM!) when adapting “Son Son Bleu.”
This year’s ambitious idea is to recreate the “Son San Bleu” trailer, with Ripa and Consuelos in costume instead of Hudson and Jackman throughout key moments.
“Basically they wanted us to do the whole movie,” Ripa told Variety. “There were so many costumes! At first we had 32 looks between the two of us. I said, ‘I know there’s 32 looks in a two-hour movie, but this is a two-minute clip! So we had to limit some of those looks.’
Consuelos added: “Was this year really a success?”
Based on director Greg Coe’s 2008 documentary of the same name, “Song San Bleu” stars Jackman and Hudson as Mike and Claire Sardina, a Milwaukee couple who play down-on-their-luck musicians who become local icons by performing Neil Diamond songs as “Lightning and Thunder.” In the “Live” parody, Ripa and Consuelos call themselves “Glitz & Glamor”.
Ripa and Consuelos said it was easy to imitate the “Song San Bleu” character because Neil Diamond’s songs are so well known.
“It’s a lot of work, but it’s worth it,” Ripa said. “And I think ‘Son Song Bleu’ is a movie that everyone really, universally loved. There’s something for everyone in this movie. There’s drama, there’s comedy, there’s a musical aspect. I like to call it a feel-good story.” ”
“Live with Kelly and Mark” will once again be broadcast live from Hollywood’s Dolby Theater on Monday, March 16, at 6 a.m. PT/9 a.m. ET, the day after the Oscar ceremony, less than seven hours after the Oscar ceremony concludes at the venue in an “After the Oscars” show. Guests will include music by Wyclef Jean and Andra Day, and comedian and impressionist Matt Friend will report on the show from the red carpet.
Leanne Morgan will also discuss the biggest moments of the awards ceremony, and Carson Kressley will discuss the night’s fashion hits and misses. DJ Cassidy will also be participating.
And there will also be an interview with Ripa and Consuelos host Conan O’Brien that will take place immediately after the ceremony.
Ripa and Consuelos will also be backstage during the Oscars and will speak with the winners immediately after they receive their trophies.
“We literally have to be ready for anyone,” Ripa said. “If the Oscars have taught me anything, it’s to be ready for whoever comes backstage. It doesn’t matter who’s the favorite. It doesn’t matter who won the BAFTA. It doesn’t matter who won every other show. Whatever happens!”
Live with Kelly and Mark’s road to the Oscars includes this Friday’s pre-Oscar show, where past Oscar winner Adrien Brody and official Oscar Governor’s Ball chef Wolfgang Puck will perform a special cooking demo on how to make a chicken pot pie.
“Live With Kelly and Mark” remains the most-watched entertainment talk show on television. “Live with Kelly and Mark” is distributed in national syndication by Disney Entertainment. The show is produced by WABC-TV and executive produced by Michael Gelman and Ripa.
Below are some behind-the-scenes photos from the “Live With Kelly and Mark” parody promotional shoot for “Song Sung Blue”.
