Howie Mandel is (mostly) taking accountability for his awkward encounter with Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos.
Last week, the America’s Got Talent judge raised a few eyebrows after having a heated exchange with the titular hosts of Live With Kelly & Mark. The back-and-forth began after Consuelos remarked that Mandel looks “great” for 70, prompting the comedian to reprimand the couple for delivering a backhanded compliment.
In the moment, it was unclear whether Mandel was seriously upset or simply making a joke. So on Saturday, he shared a video clarifying his feelings about the tense TV moment.
“I have been debating for 48 hours whether I should make this post or not. I don’t know if I’m doing the right thing,” Mandel began the video shared on Instagram. “Philosophically I don’t believe that somebody who’s a comedian needs to apologize for a joke. It is a joke. It is meant as a joke. And it’s not meant to offend.”
Mandel went on to say that throughout his five decades in show business, he has never before offered a public apology, but indicated that this situation feels different.
“This is for Kelly Ripa, who in the past has been incredibly supportive,” he said. “Not only have I been a guest on our show, but I have, I’ve co-hosted with her and I’ve known her for years.”
He continued, “When I go out there, I just try to be entertaining and funny and sometimes as a comedian, things don’t land the way you mean them to land. And I don’t know how to say this, but not only do I want to say I’m sorry to Kelly but — and this is the hardest part — you’re right.”
Mandel then quipped, “You’re absolutely right. I’m sorry I didn’t see it that way. And after a lot of thought and self-reflection… I do. I look great for my age. I really do. I look fantastic.”
In the conversation that began the memorable exchange, Consuelos commended Mandel, who turned 70 in November. Ripa then observed that the age “doesn’t make any sense.”
“What do you mean it doesn’t make any sense?” Mandel asked, to which Consuelos replied, “You look great!”
Mandel appeared fired up as he snapped at the couple, cutting them off: “I look great?” he shot back. “That doesn’t mean anything to me. No, no, no, no. I don’t like that, because that’s a caveat.”
Ripa interjected, “We’re not saying you look great for 70. You look great.”
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When Consuelos conceded that yes, he was saying Mandel looked good for his age, the comedian fired back, “It’s like saying you’re smart for a stupid person.”
A source close to the situation told Entertainment Weekly that the exchange was”casual banter” between the cohosts and Mandel. However, social media users questioned whether this was truly the case after rumors emerged that Ripa was genuinely upset about the joke.
Representatives for Ripa did not immediately respond to EW’s request for comment.
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