Robert De Niro may be a Hollywood legend, but like many parents of young children, he has found himself immersed in the world of kids’ programming. 

During his recent appearance on Live with Kelly and Mark, 

the Zero Day actor shared his newfound knowledge of popular children’s shows—including Ms. Rachel—with hosts Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos.

Robert De Niro Talks ‘SNL 50’ and Parenthood

The 81-year-old star sat down with Ripa and Consuelos to discuss his experience at Saturday Night Live’s 50th Anniversary Special. 

Having hosted the legendary sketch comedy show three times, De Niro reflected on the milestone event, admitting that the afterparty left him feeling a bit drained.

“I did. I’m a little tired,” De Niro admitted with a chuckle. “I don’t stay up that late ever.”

Ripa, quick to point out his responsibilities at home, asked, “Yeah, exactly. I mean, don’t you have a baby?”

At that moment, a sweet picture of De Niro with his daughter Gia, who will turn two in April, appeared on the screen. The proud father then shared a glimpse into his parenting life, revealing what his little one is currently into.

De Niro’s Introduction to Ms. Rachel and The Wiggles

Like many parents of toddlers, De Niro has become well-acquainted with children’s programming. “So I watch Ms. Rachel, and The Wiggles,” he shared, explaining how these shows have become a regular part of his daily routine.

Consuelos, amused by De Niro’s new reality, commented, “So you’re being introduced to all these new shows, Bob.”

The Oscar-winning actor nodded, saying, “I know, I know. Who would’ve thought?”

Kelly Ripa is Out of the Loop

While Ms. Rachel is a household name for many parents of young children, Kelly Ripa admitted she was unfamiliar with the show. Since her three children—Michael, 27, Lola, 23, and Joaquin, 21—are now grown, she hasn’t been keeping up with the latest trends in children’s entertainment.

“I don’t know what Ms. Rachel is,” Ripa confessed.

De Niro, playfully calling her out, teased, “Well, you’re out of touch.”

Realizing she might be missing out on something big, Ripa asked, “You’re right. You’re right, I’m totally out of touch. What’s Ms. Rachel? Should I be watching it?”

De Niro Explains the Appeal of Ms. Rachel

De Niro went on to explain just how popular Ms. Rachel has become, especially among parents looking for educational and engaging content for their little ones.

“She’s become very successful,” De Niro noted, mentioning that a colleague had recommended the show to him. He described an instance where he saw a mother using Ms. Rachel to keep her baby entertained while sitting outside.

“We were walking down the street, and there was a lady sitting outside in the warm weather, and she had her iPhone up, and the baby was in the chair over here. And lo and behold, what was she watching? Ms. Rachel,” De Niro recalled. “Just kept the child quiet and engrossed.”

Intrigued, Ripa pressed further, asking, “Does she have puppets? Is it a cooking show?”

De Niro summed it up simply: “The whole deal. You know, A-B-C-D, all of the rhymes, nursery rhymes, everything, all that sweet stuff. It’s nice.”

Who is Ms. Rachel?

For those, like Ripa, who may not be familiar with Ms. Rachel, the popular children’s program is officially called Songs for Littles. Hosted by Rachel Griffin Accurso, an educator and musician, the show focuses on early childhood learning through interactive songs, nursery rhymes, and speech development exercises. It has become a go-to resource for parents looking to support their toddlers’ language skills in an engaging way.

Accurso, who has a background in early childhood education, created the show after her own son experienced speech delays. Ms. Rachel has since gained millions of devoted followers, with parents praising her warm and effective teaching methods.

De Niro Embracing Parenthood at 81

While Robert De Niro is best known for his iconic roles in films like The Godfather Part II, Taxi Driver, and Goodfellas, his latest role—father to a toddler—has brought new experiences, including learning about modern children’s programming.

Despite his demanding career, De Niro has fully embraced fatherhood once again. His candid conversation with Ripa and Consuelos offered a rare glimpse into his personal life, showing that even Hollywood legends can relate to the everyday experiences of parents.

Final Thoughts

De Niro’s appearance on Live with Kelly and Mark was both entertaining and endearing, offering a mix of humor and heartwarming parenting moments. While he may have attended SNL’s 50th-anniversary bash, it’s clear that his most important role these days involves spending quality time with his daughter—whether that means watching Ms. Rachel or singing along to The Wiggles.

As for Kelly Ripa, she may not have Ms. Rachel on her watchlist just yet, but after De Niro’s glowing review, she just might check it out.

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