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Kelly Ripa has a knack for highlighting the charms of the Garden State.
In a segment she humorously dubbed a “public service announcement” aimed at Generation Z—those born between 1997 and 2012—Ripa shared her insights on Tuesday’s pre-recorded episode of Live with Kelly and Mark.
“They’re running out of gas in their cars because they’re wary of refueling,” she explained. “My advice? Move to New Jersey, where you’ll never have to pump your own gas again.”
Ripa reminded her co-host Mark Consuelos of the state’s unique law: “In New Jersey, self-service at the pump is not an option,” she emphasized, calling it a “wonderful state.”
“It’s simply the best. You just drive in, and they handle it for you,” she enthused, prompting applause from the audience. “And don’t even get me started on our exceptional tomatoes and corn. Not to mention, we are the blueberry capital of the world. But I digress.”
Consuelos asked Ripa why Gen Z was “scared” of pumping their own gas, to which Ripa replied, “A lot of reasons.”
“They’re afraid of identifying the nozzle and getting it in the hole,” she read with a laugh. “They’re afraid over the hygiene of the nozzle. They don’t like the lines involved queueing up. Two thirds of the respondents said they’ve asked a partner or family member to fill it up for them because they get so anxious with the idea.”
While Consuelos added that “also not knowing exactly which side of the car” to put the nozzle in may be a deterrent, he and Ripa also pointed out that “there’s an arrow inside the car that tells you where the hole is.”
“So don’t be afraid, Gen Z,” Ripa said.
Consuelos exclaimed, “Get out and do it!”
Ripa quipped, “And if you are afraid, just drive to the state of New Jersey. They’ll do it for you.”
Live with Kelly and Mark airs on weekdays. Check out their website for your local listings.