Howie Mandel Apologizes to Kelly Ripa After Tense On-Air Exchange: ‘You Were Right’
Howie Mandel Apologizes to Kelly Ripa After Tense On-Air Exchange: ‘You Were Right’
Toria SheffieldSun, March 29, 2026 at 10:44 PM UTC
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Howie Mandel; Kelly RipaCredit: Kayla Oaddams/WireImage;Amanda Edwards/Getty -
Howie Mandel has publicly apologized to Kelly Ripa after a tense on-air exchange during a recent episode of Live with Kelly and Mark
During the episode, in which Mandel appeared as a guest, the comedian refused to accept a compliment from Ripa about his appearance
Mandel, who posted the apology on Instagram on Saturday, March 28, said it was the first time he has ever apologized for a joke in his “50 years in the business”
Howie Mandel publicly apologized to Kelly Ripa after a tense on-air exchange during a recent episode of Live with Kelly and Mark.
The apology, which Mandel, 70, shared on Instagram on Saturday, March 28, came after the comedian refused to accept a compliment about his looks while appearing as a guest on the March 23 episode of the show.
At the time, Mandel insisted that telling someone his age that they “look great” doesn’t “mean anything,” as it comes with the “caveat” that they merely look good for their age. He added that it’s like saying, “You’re smart for a stupid person.”
“I have been debating for 48 hours whether I should make this post or not. And I don't know if I'm doing the right thing, philosophically,” Mandel began in his video.
“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 … In all my years, 50 years in the business, I haven't ever publicly kind of apologized for [a joke]. It’s hard for me,” he continued.
“But this is for Kelly Ripa, who, in the past, has been incredibly supportive. Not only have I been a guest on her show, but I have co-hosted with her, and I've known her for years … 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 added.
He continued, “And I don't know how to say this, but not only do I want to say I'm sorry to Kelly, but — and this is the hardest part — you’re right. You're absolutely right. And I'm sorry I didn't see it that way."
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“But after a lot of thought and self-reflection, I do 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 comedian said with a smile.
During the initial exchange, Ripa, 55, attempted to clarify her comments, insisting that she and her husband and co-host, Mark Consuelos, 54, genuinely only meant to compliment the comedian.
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“We’re not saying you look great for 70. We’re saying you look great — and I don’t believe you’re 70,” Ripa said.
Representatives for Ripa and Mandel did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment.
on People
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
