‘Live’: Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos Tease Their Friend Who Is “All About ‘Heated Rivalry’” But “Doesn’t Know What A Hockey Puck Is”

Heated Rivalry has made its way to Live with Kelly and Mark—well, sort of.

Talk of the hit hockey romance starring Connor Storrie and Hudson Williams emerged on Tuesday morning’s episode, as Mark Consuelos brought up TV producer Albert Bianchini, a “good friend” of him and Kelly Ripa‘s, who texted them last night in a “tizzy.”

“His partner Kyle was singing the national anthem [at] the New York Rangers game,” Consuelos shared.

Ripa and Consuelos then brought up Heated Rivalry, surveying the audience to see if anyone has watched the series on HBO Max. The audience gave an enthusiastic round of applause.

“Our friend Albert doesn’t know what a hockey puck is, or what a football is, or how to throw or smack either one of them, but he is so into hockey right now,” Consuelos joked.

Ripa added, “He knows what hot guys are, and so he is all about Heated Rivalry. And suddenly, he’s taken this renewed interest in hockey games! And so when Kyle performed the national anthem, he’s sending us video after video after video. It was wild.”

Consuelos, who has assumed the role of Live‘s resident sportscaster, continued to tease his friend.

“I’m like, calm down, Albert. This is not a TV show. This is real, professional hockey,” he quipped. “I never miss a chance to make fun of Albert.”

“He was sending me videos,” Ripa said. “He was like, ‘Which of these guys do you think is dating behind the scenes?’”

Storrie made his late-night debut on Late Night with Seth Meyers on Monday night (Jan. 12), while Williams made his on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon last Wednesday (Jan. 7).

Live with Kelly and Mark airs on weekdays. Check out their website for your local listings.