Howie Mandel, the 70-year-old comedian, 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 shared on Instagram on Saturday, March 28th, came after Mandel refused to accept a compliment about his looks while appearing as a guest on the March 23rd episode of the show.
During the exchange, Ripa, 55, and her husband and co-host, Mark Consuelos, 54, tried to clarify their comments, insisting that they genuinely only meant to compliment the comedian. However, Mandel insisted that telling someone they "look great" at his age didn't "mean anything," as it came with the "caveat" that they merely looked good for their age. He added that it was like saying, "You're smart for a stupid person."
Mandel's apology video was filled with self-reflection and humility. "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," he began. "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 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."
Mandel concluded his apology by saying, "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."
After much thought and self-reflection, Mandel added, "But 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."
Representatives for Ripa and Mandel did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's request for comment.
