In a surprising turn of events during the popular segment “Stump Mark” on the 20th of May, 2026, tensions escalated between Mark Consuelos, co-host of *Live with Kelly and Mark*, and a contestant from Chattanooga, Tennessee, named Lisa Best. The incident not only shocked the studio audience but also drew noticeable backlash from Consuelos’ wife and co-host, Kelly Ripa, as well as viewers watching at home.
The game, a recurring feature on the show, involves contestants challenging Consuelos to identify which of two statements they make is true and which is false. Despite the playful nature of the segment, Consuelos demonstrated his competitive spirit, often driving the show into unpredictable territory. In a previous interview, he openly admitted to his intense drive, stating, “Oh, I don’t like to lose. I’m very competitive. It’s the athlete in me.”
Initially, Best recounted two personal anecdotes: one about her experience at Georgia’s Dolly Day Festival, and the other involving her performance with a clogging team at the famed Grand Ole Opry during seventh grade. After presenting her stories, the audience expressed a clear preference in a poll conducted on Instagram, with 79% believing her claim about the Dolly Day Festival was true.
However, as Consuelos wrestled with the decision, he ultimately took a controversial approach to sustain his winning streak. He asked Best if she had children and then shocked everyone by requesting her to swear on the well-being of her children regarding her participation in the festival. Best’s stunned reaction echoed throughout the studio, while Ripa’s immediate response was a mixture of disbelief and alarm. She exclaimed, “Mark! WHAT?!” and quickly defended Best, insisting that she shouldn’t have to answer such a question.
Consuelos, undeterred, pressed on, insisting, “I want to win!” Despite his hungry competitivenes, the studio audience sharing their outrage visibly demonstrated their disapproval. Ripa highlighted the collective shock of the crowd, describing them as “horrified” and “outraged.”
Even amid this tension, an evidently oblivious Consuelos insisted that some audience members agreed with his line of questioning, even admitting he noticed the “side eye” cast his way. Eventually, it became clear that his aggressive strategy was misguided when Consuelos incorrectly guessed that the Grand Ole Opry story was the fabrication. Best revealed it to be the truth, much to the audience’s excitement and Ripa’s glee as she exclaimed, “AND THAT’S WHAT YOU GET, MARK!”
Following the unexpected turn of events, Best left the game with a Live-branded mug and T-shirt, as well as a significant cash prize of £2,000 in “cold hard cash.” Mark’s defeat led him to jokingly comment that “the old adage, ‘God will get you back!’” was entirely appropriate, a sentiment that Ripa eagerly echoed alongside him.
Since Consuelos took on a permanent role as co-host in 2023, *Stump Mark* has blossomed into one of the hallmark segments of *Live with Kelly and Mark*. Ripa often quips that this segment is the primary reason viewers tune in, keeping fans informed with updates on Consuelos’ performance and statistical records from the game.
As the drama of the day subsided, the episode continued to entertain, illustrating yet again why the dynamic between Consuelos and Ripa remains a staple for daytime television. Viewers can catch *Live with Kelly and Mark* weekdays in syndication, although the events of May 20 have certainly set a new benchmark for competitive antics in the show’s history.