Howie Mandel 'Kinda' Regrets Apologizing to Kelly Ripa After Awkward Interview

The comedian says he doesn't believe comedians should apologize for jokes, even after his viral exchange with Ripa on 'Live with Kelly and Mark'

Apr. 2, 2026 at 5:40am

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Howie Mandel has admitted that he has mixed feelings about publicly apologizing to Kelly Ripa following their awkward interview on the talk show 'Live with Kelly and Mark'. Mandel said he doesn't believe comedians should apologize for jokes, even though he made a post apologizing for the viral moment where he clashed with Ripa over comments about his age.

Why it matters

The exchange between Mandel and Ripa highlighted the ongoing debate around comedians and whether they should apologize for controversial jokes. Mandel's comments suggest he believes comedy should be free from apologies, even if it leads to awkward on-air moments.

The details

During the March 23 episode of 'Live with Kelly and Mark', Ripa joked that Mandel's 70th birthday 'doesn't make any sense', to which Mandel responded sharply that he 'looks great' but that doesn't mean anything to him. The exchange grew more tense, with Mandel saying comments about his age are always a 'caveat' and declaring 'I'm gorgeous' before Ripa quipped 'You're a thing of beauty'. The clip went viral, leading Mandel to post an apology a few days later, though he said he philosophically doesn't believe comedians should apologize for jokes.

  • The awkward interview took place on March 23, 2026.
  • Mandel posted his apology on Instagram on March 28, 2026.

The players

Howie Mandel

A 70-year-old comedian and television personality known for hosting shows like 'Deal or No Deal' and being a judge on 'America's Got Talent'.

Kelly Ripa

The 55-year-old co-host of the talk show 'Live with Kelly and Mark', which Mandel has appeared on nearly 50 times over the years.

Mark Consuelos

Kelly Ripa's husband and co-host on 'Live with Kelly and Mark'.

Michael Gelman

The longtime executive producer of 'Live with Kelly and Mark' and its previous iterations.

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What they’re saying

“If somebody is offended [or] if somebody feels that I did wrong, then I apologize. I don't believe in apologizing but, as I said in my post, which I kinda regret making the post, I don't think you should apologize for a joke.”

— Howie Mandel, Comedian

“Because you tell someone you're 70 and they go, 'You look great,' It's like saying you're smart for a stupid person. 'Oh, you look smart! You seem smart!' I don't look good.”

— Howie Mandel, Comedian

“Honestly, now, I'll be serious for a minute: I'm gorgeous. I am. I am.”

— Howie Mandel, Comedian

“During these divided times, one thing we can all agree upon is that you do look great … for your age.”

— Michael Gelman, Executive Producer, Live with Kelly and Mark

What’s next

Mandel has been a frequent guest on 'Live with Kelly and Mark' over the years, appearing nearly 50 times since 1995. It remains to be seen if this latest incident will impact his future appearances on the show.

The takeaway

Mandel's comments highlight the ongoing debate around comedians and whether they should apologize for controversial jokes. While some believe comedy should be free from apologies, others feel comedians have a responsibility to be mindful of how their jokes land. This exchange underscores the fine line comedians must walk in balancing humor and sensitivity.