Howie Mandel addressed his testy on-air exchange during his “Live with Kelly and Mark” interview, apologizing personally to host Kelly Ripa.
The 70-year-old comedian’s awkward interaction with Ripa and her husband, Mark Consuelos, went viral last week after he snapped at them over their compliment that he looked great at 70.
“No, no. It’s like saying you’re smart for a stupid person,” he said about why he didn’t like the praise. “‘Oh, you seem smart, you seem smart,’ you see, no, I don’t look good.”
In an Instagram video Sunday, Mandel said he debated addressing the situation at all, noting that he doesn’t think comedians should have to apologize for their jokes.
However, he said he was doing it for Ripa, whom he’s had a positive working relationship with for years.
“It is a joke. It is meant as a joke, and it’s not meant to offend,” he said of their exchange, adding that making the video was “hard” for him as he hasn’t apologized for anything in his 50 years as a comedian.
“But this is for Kelly Ripa, who in the past has been incredibly supportive,” he continued. “Not only have I been a guest on her show, but I have cohosted with her and I’ve known her for years.”
He admitted that his response to the compliment didn’t come off the way he wanted it to.
“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,” he explained.
Ultimately, he said he agreed with Ripa’s sentiment that he looks great for his age.
“Not only do I 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 concluded, “And after a lot of thought and self-reflection, I look great for my age. I really do. I look fantastic and I just have to embrace the fact that I look this good.”
The “America’s Got Talent” judge received backlash after the interview from fans who felt he reacted poorly to Ripa and Consuelos’ well-intentioned compliment.
Mandel told the hosts that noting he looks great at his age “doesn’t mean anything.”
Ripa then assured Mandel that the hosts were “not saying you look great for 70 [years old].” Rather, “We’re saying you look great and I don’t believe you’re 70.”
