<\/p>\n
Howie Mandel<\/a> is (mostly) taking accountability for his awkward encounter with Kelly Ripa <\/a>and Mark Consuelos<\/a>.<\/p>\n Last week, the America’s Got Talent<\/em><\/a> judge raised a few eyebrows after having a heated exchange<\/a> with the titular hosts of Live With Kelly & Mark<\/em><\/a>. 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n “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<\/a>. “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.”<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n “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.”<\/p>\n 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 \u2014 and this is the hardest part \u2014 you’re right.”<\/p>\n 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\u2026 I do. I look great for my age. I really do. I look fantastic.”<\/p>\n 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.”<\/p>\n “What do you mean it doesn’t make any sense?” Mandel asked, to which Consuelos replied, “You look great!”<\/p>\n 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.”<\/p>\n Ripa interjected, “We’re not saying you look great for<\/em> 70. You look great.”<\/p>\n Get your daily dose of entertainment news, celebrity updates, and what to watch with our\u00a0<\/em><\/strong>EW Dispatch newsletter<\/em><\/strong><\/a>.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n 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.”<\/p>\n A source close to the situation told Entertainment Weekly <\/em>that the exchange was”casual banter” between the cohosts and Mandel. However, social media users questioned whether this was truly the case after rumors<\/a> emerged that Ripa was genuinely upset about the joke.<\/p>\n Representatives for Ripa did not immediately respond to EW’s request for comment.<\/p>\n Read the original article on Entertainment Weekly<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n