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Howie Mandel is doubling down — and dialing back his apology during his viral on-air moment.
The “America’s Got Talent” judge admitted he “kind of” regrets issuing a public apology to Kelly Ripa after a lighthearted live interview spiraled into a wave of reactions.
“Who got offended?” Billy Bush asked on his podcast.
HOWIE MANDEL CALLS OUT KELLY RIPA’S BACKHANDED COMPLIMENT IN TENSE LIVE TV MOMENT
Howie Mandel says he “kind of” regrets his public apology to Kelly Ripa, adding on Billy Bush’s podcast that comedians should not apologize for jokes. (Chris Haston/WBTV via Getty Images; Mike Coppola/Getty Images)
“I don’t know. I’ve been reading the articles and the internet — and if somebody is offended, if somebody feels that I did wrong, then, you know, I apologize. I don’t believe in apologizing, but I said, as I said in that post, which I kind of regret making the post,” he answered candidly.
When pressed on the matter, Mandel said, “I don’t think that you should apologize for a joke.”
The comedian further explained, “I do think … I look good. And I don’t even think the caveat is for 70. I just think I look good.”
HOWIE MANDEL SAYS SORRY TO KELLY RIPA AFTER AWKWARD ‘LIVE WITH KELLY AND MARK’ MOMENT
Ripa offended Mandel by telling him his age “doesn’t make sense.” (Amanda Edwards/Getty Images; John Shearer/WireImage)
He continued in part, “It’s made me focus more. Up until a couple of weeks ago… I don’t really focus on my looks. I focus on staying healthy and vibrant. — I’m focusing more on my exterior, on how I project myself.”
Mandel made the comments after his appearance on “Live with Kelly and Mark” last month, where Mandel pushed back on the idea of age-based compliments.
He argued that telling someone they “look great” for their age doesn’t “mean anything.”
The viral moment prompted Mandel to post a public apology days later.
Kelly Ripa’s show producer, Michael Gelman, chimed in on Howie Mandel’s apology video. (Patrick McMullan/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images/Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
“It’s meant as a joke, and it’s not meant to offend, it’s not meant to… you can not like it and in all my years, all my 50 years in the business, I haven’t ever publicly kind of apologized for… This is hard for me, but this is for Kelly Ripa, who in the past has been incredibly supportive,” Mandel said in the video.
“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, funny.
“And sometimes, as a comedian, things don’t land the way you mean them to land. And I don’t know how to say this, but not only do I want to say I’m sorry to Kelly,” Mandel said. “But this is the hardest part … you’re right. You’re absolutely right.”
Howie Mandel’s public apology to Kelly Ripa took a comedic turn as the “America’s Got Talent” judge ended it by declaring he looks fantastic for his age. (Trae Patton/NBC via Getty Images)
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Even after issuing the apology, the comedian appeared to make light of the topic: “And I’m sorry I didn’t see it that way, but after a lot of thought and self-reflection, I do … I look great for my age, I really do. I really, I really look fantastic, and I just have to embrace the fact that I look this good.”
Meanwhile, the apology itself has sparked humorous reactions.
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Michael Gelman, executive producer of “Live with Kelly and Mark,” jumped into the comments with a tongue-in-cheek jab: “During these divided times, one thing we can all agree upon is that you do look great … for your age.”
Other celebrities followed suit.
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“That was the smoothest pivot to self-love I’ve ever seen … apart from my own morning conversations to my mirror,” comedian Tom Bergeron wrote.
Terry Crews added, “I’m sorry you look so good.”