Howie Mandel has broken her silence over her fiery on-air exchange with Kelly Ripa, issuing a personal apology and admitting, after some soul-searching, that she had a point all along.
The 70-year-old comedian’s performance at Lives with Kelly and Mark went viral last week after he snapped back at the hosts when they told him he looked good.
Instead of accepting the compliment, Mandel pushed it back, likening it to being told you seem smart to a stupid person.
Ripa tried to clarify that she didn’t qualify praise by his age, simply telling him she didn’t believe he was 70, but the damage was done and viewers felt he had been unnecessarily harsh on her.
Mandel addressed the fallout in an Instagram video on Sunday, admitting he debated whether to say anything at all.
For a comedian with 50 years in the business, he said, apologizing for a joke doesn’t come naturally. But he made an exception for Ripa.
“This is for Kelly Ripa, who has been incredibly supportive in the past,” he said, noting that they have a long history of working together, including stints where he co-hosted with her.
“When I go out there, I just try to be entertaining and funny, and sometimes things as a comedian don’t land the way you think they’re going to land,” he explained.
He was clear that the original comment was meant as a joke and not intended to cause offence. But he acknowledged it didn’t come that way and offered the apology Ripa deserved.
“I don’t just want to say I’m sorry to Kelly and this is the hardest part, you’re right. You’re absolutely right and I’m sorry I didn’t see it that way,” he said.
He then concluded with a conclusion that was very much on fire.
“After a lot of thought and self-reflection, I look good for my age. I really do. I look amazing and I just have to embrace the fact that I look that good.”
