Ready for a wild ride? Mark Consuelos, best known for his roles in Riverdale and LIVE with Kelly and Mark, dives headfirst into the chaotic world of 9-1-1, and the story is as unbelievable as it sounds. The actor's guest role involves a tech billionaire, Tripp Hauser, who gets swallowed by a whale! But there's more to it than just a bizarre incident.
Consuelos' initial reaction? "'Oh, OK. This is crazy. Not even Riverdale has done this!'" He was drawn to the character and the opportunity to be part of a three-episode arc. He was so excited that he immediately called Tim Minear, the showrunner. Consuelos admitted that he was hooked from the start, saying, "You had me at whale."
Tripp's introduction is nothing short of dramatic. While kayaking, he's interrupted by both a company board meeting and a hungry humpback whale. The 118 arrives to save the day, with Eddie diving in to rescue Tripp and Hen bringing him back to life.
The water rescue scenes were intense. Consuelos shared his experience of filming in the less-than-pristine waters of Long Beach Harbor. He's a self-confessed germaphobe. But the warmth of the water made it bearable. Ryan Guzman, his co-star, played the hero, saving him.
Consuelos' wife, Kelly Ripa, had one request: "You get in there and be friends with Angela Bassett so we can all have dinner!" Sadly, the actors filmed on different sets. However, Ripa enjoyed watching her husband's debut. Consuelos praised the cast and crew, emphasizing their welcoming nature and professionalism.
Consuelos' character once spent a fortune sending people to space. When asked which Real Housewives he'd choose for his personal space roster, he chose one from each show. He also considered Andy Cohen.
Would Consuelos himself go to space? He's open to the idea, despite his slight claustrophobia.
And this is the part most people miss... The opening emergency's second part finds Athena, Hen, and other heroes facing life-threatening situations in space. A geomagnetic storm threatens Los Angeles. The episode ends on a cliffhanger. Consuelos teased that the third episode brings major consequences.
Consuelos is open to reprising his role in 9-1-1: Nashville.
But here's where it gets controversial... Could Tripp's comeuppance be a bit too harsh? Do you think the show's outlandish scenarios enhance or detract from the storytelling? Share your thoughts in the comments!
