Ripa excited to co-host with Mulroney in Banff

Could Ben Mulroney be the next Regis Philbin?

For one day, at least, the etalk personality will live out the fantasy when he shares the stage with "Live! With Kelly's" Kelly Ripa in Banff, Alberta.

"I'm nervous," Mulroney said on Thursday on CTV's Canada AM.

"She's one of the most charismatic people on television," he said.

Ripa, however, has no qualms about her producers' pick.

"I feel like he's a member of our ‘Live!' family," Ripa told Canada AM's Beverly Thomson on Thursday from the New York set of "Live! With Kelly."

"He's been present on our set many times. He's a great broadcaster and a lot of fun. We promise we won't smuggle him over the border, as much as we would love to," said Ripa.

Ripa's trip to Banff will be her first.

"I'm very excited," said Ripa.

The 41-year-old star Googled Banff immediately after Michael Gellman, her executive producer, announced the decision to shoot in the heart of Canada's Rockies from April 2 – 5.

Ripa was instantly impressed by the mountain tops and natural beauty surrounding this luxury resort area.

"The pictures are incredible," said Ripa.

This Banff excursion also marks Ripa's second trip to Canada in the last two years.

In July of 2010, Ripa and former co-host Philbin took their popular morning show to Prince Edward Island.

"P.E.I. is magic. Shooting there "was one of the happiest memories of my life and my children's lives," said Ripa.

Her expectations for Banff are just as high.

"You can't say enough about the diversity of Canada and just how every place is spectacular," said Ripa.

While in Banff, Ripa plans on skiing and snowshoeing -- which she calls "a passion."

Ripa will also celebrate the birthday of her husband, Mark Consuelos, during her Banff shoot. The Spanish-born American actor will turn 41 on March 30.

The actress is also grateful for another opportunity to connect with her show's Canadian fans.

"You can't say enough about the Canadian viewers," said Ripa.

"They're always so loyal and so fun and vocal," she said.

Though the names of Ripa's other Banff co-hosts have yet to be revealed, Canada AM's weather and sports anchor, Jeff Hutcheson, has thrown his hat in the ring.

"We are leaving no stone unturned. We'll take a look at him," Ripa told Thomson, who relayed Hutcheson's interest to the star.

"But Bev, why not you?" Ripa added.

"It's not just a man's game," she said.