Howie Mandel personally apologized to host Kelly Ripa during an interview on “Live with Kelly and Mark” about a heated on-air exchange.
An awkward exchange between the 70-year-old comedian and Ripa and her husband, Mark Consuelos, made headlines last week after Ripa was furious over compliments about looking great at 70.
“No, no. It’s like saying you’re smart to a stupid person,” he said of why he didn’t like the compliment. “They’re like, ‘Oh, you look smart, you look smart,’ and, you know, no, I’m not good-looking.”
Mandel said in an Instagram video Sunday that he didn’t think comedians needed to apologize for the joke and that he had discussed addressing the situation itself.
But he said it was for Ripa, with whom he had a positive working relationship over the years.
“This is a joke. It’s meant as a joke and I don’t mean to offend,” he said of their interaction, adding that making the video was “tough” for him because he hasn’t apologized for anything in 50 years as a comedian.
“But this is for Kelly Ripa, who has been incredibly supportive thus far,” he continued. “I’ve known her for years, not only as a guest on her show, but also as a co-host with her.”
He admitted that the reaction to the compliment was not what he had hoped for.
“When I go out on set, I just try to be funny and funny, but as a comedian, sometimes things don’t go as planned,” he explained.
In the end, he said he agreed with Ripa’s opinion that he looked good for his age.
“I don’t just want to say I’m sorry to Kelly. This is the hardest thing to do, but you’re right. You’re absolutely right. I’m sorry I couldn’t think of it that way,” he said.
“And after much thought and introspection, I look good for my age. I really do. I look great. I just have to accept the fact that I look this good.”
The “America’s Got Talent” judge received backlash after the interview from fans who felt he had reacted poorly to Ripa and Consuelos’ well-meaning compliments.
Mandel told the host that pointing out that he looks great at his age “doesn’t mean anything.”
Ripa assured Mandel that the hosts were “not saying she looks great at 70 years old.” Rather, “We say you look great, but I don’t believe you’re 70 years old.”
