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Mulroney yuks it up Canuck-style with Ripa

By: Staff Writer

Posted: 05/5/2012 1:00 AM | Comments: 0

In this image released by ABC, Canadian talk show host Ben Mulroney, right, joins Kelly Ripa as co-host on the "Live! with Kelly," syndicated morning show, Friday, May 4, 2012 in New York. Mulroney is the son of former Canadian Prime Minister Brian Mulroney. (AP Photo/ABC, Donna Svennevik) (CP)

TORONTO -- The Wendigo, chinooks and poutine were among the Canuck topics touched on as CTV personality Ben Mulroney co-hosted Live! with Kelly from New York City on Friday.

"(Executive producer Michael) Gelman and I sat together and said, 'Nothing says Cinco de Mayo festival like Ben Mulroney,"' host Kelly Ripa quipped at the start of the show, referencing the celebration of Mexican heritage that's held every year on May 5.

"Thank you very much -- muchas gracias," replied a suit-clad Mulroney as he sat beside Ripa.

"Thank you so much for having me back. This place looks fantastic."

Mulroney, who co-anchors the CTV entertainment program eTalk, had hosted Live! with Kelly once before -- during last month's taping in Banff, Alta.

CTV, which airs the syndicated morning talk show on this side of the border (though not in Winnipeg), says the Banff episode featuring Mulroney as co-host garnered the show's highest audience ever in Canada, with 685,000 viewers.

On Friday, he and Ripa discussed the Banff taping as they interviewed Edmonton-born Castle star Nathan Fillion.

Ripa noted that she had learned a new "Canadian word" every day during her Banff stay and asked Mulroney and Fillion if they could quiz each other on Canuck lingo.

Fillion stumped Mulroney on the "Wendigo," which is a cannibalistic spirit described in Algonquin mythology.

Mulroney then tried to stump Fillion on "chinook," but the actor knew it was a term to describe warm winds that are prevalent over the Canadian prairies.

Ripa expressed shock that Mulroney and Fillion didn't know each other.

"I thought that was impossible. I thought all Canadians knew each other. That's a rumour in America," she joked.

Mulroney also chatted with Ripa about his twin sons and the Canuck dish poutine, a blend of french fries, gravy and cheese curds that Ripa said she dreams about "constantly."

Later, celebrity chef Aaron Sanchez cooked tacos and Mexican poutine for Mulroney and Ripa in honour of Saturday's Cinco de Mayo.

The episode wrapped with Mulroney and Ripa competing against an 11-year-old cup-stacking world champion from Arlington, Va.

Mulroney is the latest celebrity to try co-hosting duties since Regis Philbin retired last year.

The guest stints are seen by many as an informal audition.

-- The Canadian Press

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition May 5, 2012 G2

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