Reader TTS

WHAT'S THE BEST THING ABOUT LIVING IN NEW YORK? Sometimes it's leaving. Sometimes it's getting out of New York City and then coming back. And then when you've gone

somewhere, and you land, and you're driving toward the city, and you see that skyline, and it's so majestic, and [you think], _Wow, this is one of the best places in the world to

live by far_. We've been blessed by not having to move our kids around. As an actor, I've worked pretty much everywhere, and Kelly — with _Live _— we were anchored and rooted in

New York, and that gave the kids such stability. We live near the park. I love Central Park so much. It's magical. What I love about New York is that when you have to think about

something, you can essentially just leave your apartment and take a lap in the neighborhood — just get out and walk it out. … I'm so happy that we're New Yorkers. HOW HAVE YOU

HANDLED EMPTY-NESTING? [CONSUELOS AND RIPA HAVE THREE CHILDREN: MICHAEL, 26; LOLA, 22; AND JOAQUIN, 20.] When our youngest went off to school up in Michigan a couple years ago — he's

going to be a junior now, which is insane — that was hard, because the older two went to NYU. And essentially, they were both home the first day we dropped them off. They came back home to

grab something, and I would see them daily, biweekly, bimonthly. I knew they were just right there. [So at first] I would just be overcome with fear. It was a scary fear, and sadness,

[thinking] _I can't believe it's over. Our kids are out of the house._ And Kelly was, like, “What's wrong?” I [said], “I can't believe I feel this way. I'm really

freaked out.”_ _And she was, like, “Are you crazy? This is gonna be awesome. We're empty nesters.” And I soon got over it. Definitely over it now. ANYTHING ON YOUR BUCKET LIST?

Professionally, I'm doing it, which is great. If I were to add to it … doing a play in New York City. Off-Broadway, Broadway, I really don't care. To get back on the stage — I

would absolutely love to be able to do that. And obviously do the morning show. I can't think of a more New York experience as an actor than that. Lifewise, I know it sounds a little

cliché, [but] I'm so grateful for even today, being with my family. We're on vacation, and we have friends coming. … I make a point of stopping and smelling the roses on a daily

basis. I've been blessed beyond belief.