Howie Mandel is apologizing to Kelly Ripa, kind of. After making headlines last week after an awkward moment on Live With Kelly and Mark, Mandel shared a video on Instagram from the beach addressing the situation.
“Okay, I have been debating for 48 hours whether I should make this post or not,” Mandel says at the start of his video. “I don’t know if I’m doing the right thing philosophically.”
Mandel explained that in the 50 years he’s been in the business, he’s never publicly apologized. “I don’t believe that somebody who’s a comedian needs to apologize for a joke… it is meant as a joke… ” It’s not meant to offend,” he said.
“This is for Kelly Ripa, who… has been incredibly supportive… I’ve co-hosted with her,” he continued. “Not only do I want to say I’m sorry to Kelly… you’re right, you’re absolutely right, and I’m sorry I didn’t see it that way.”
Then came the bait and switch saying, “after a lot of thought and self-reflection,” he’s realized something important: “I do—I look great for my age. I really do… I look fantastic.”
Although Mark Consuelos was a part of the conversation, Kelly is the only one who got the formal “apology.” His caption was simple: “Message to @kellyripa.”
It doesn’t look like Ripa has responded, but Live with Kelly and Mark’s executive producer, Michael Gelman, was in the comments. “During these divided times, one thing we can all agree upon is that you do look great … for your age,” he quipped.
“People probably aren’t going to get that this apology is also part of the joke,” another added. America’s Got Talent host Terry Crews got in on the fun, writing, “I’m sorry you look so good” with a crying laughing emoji.
What happened with Kelly and Howie?
© Live with Kelly & MarkMandel, who turned 70 on November 29, was a guest on the show, and Ripa hit him with, “It doesn’t make any sense.” Mandel replied, “What do you mean? It doesn’t make any sense!” Consuelos tried to save it with a simple “You look great,” but Mandel wasn’t having that either.
“That doesn’t mean anything… that’s a caveat,” he said. Because to him, “you look great” is never “you look great.” It’s secretly “you look great… for your age.”
Ripa tried to fix it, “We’re saying you look great, and I don’t believe you’re 70”, but Mandel doubled down. “You’re saying that without saying 70.” He then compared it to telling someone they’re “smart for a stupid person.”
Mandel eventually let it go, admitting that he is “gorgeous.”
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