Howie Mandel apologizes after a viral and awkward exchange with Kelly Ripa
The AGT judge reflects on his recent jokes about aging during a talk show
Howie Mandel is setting the record straight following a viral moment on "Live with Kelly and Mark." During a March 24th appearance, the "America's Got Talent" judge had an eyebrow-raising back-and-forth with host Kelly Ripa after she complimented him on looking "great for 70." Mandel initially pushed back against the praise, comparing the "for your age" caveat to being called "smart for a stupid person."
In a recent Instagram post, Howie offered a rare apology for any jokes that were misinterpreted as being too serious. While he admitted that comedians shouldn't typically have to apologize for their humor, he acknowledged through self-reflection that Kelly was right. He ultimately leaned back into his signature wit, jokingly conceding that he is indeed "gorgeous." This insightful clip captures the fine line between a comedic bit and an awkward TV moment, showing how even a seasoned veteran like Mandel handles a joke that didn't quite land as intended.