Howie Mandel broke his silence about his passionate on-air exchange with Kelly Ripa, personally apologized and admitted, after some soul-searching, that she was right all along.
The 70-year-old comedian’s appearance in Lives with Kelly and Mark went viral last week after she snapped at the hosts when they told her she looked great.
Instead of accepting the compliment, Mandel responded, comparing it to being told you look smart for a stupid person.
Ripa tried to clarify that she wasn’t qualifying the praise by her age, simply telling her that she didn’t think she was 70, but the damage was done and viewers felt she had been unnecessarily harsh on her.
Mandel addressed the fallout in an Instagram video on Sunday, admitting that he had debated whether to say anything.
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 in the past has been very supportive,” he said, noting that they have a long history working together, including stints when he co-hosted alongside her.
“When I go out, I just try to be entertaining and funny, and sometimes as a comedian, things don’t go your way,” he explained.
He made it clear that the original comment was intended as a joke and not to offend. But he acknowledged that had not been the case and offered the apology that Ripa deserved.
“Not only do I want to apologize 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.
Then he closed with a very apt conclusion.
“After a lot of thought and reflection, I look very good for my age. I really do. I look fantastic and I have to accept the fact that I look so good.”
