Howie Mandel Apologises To Kelly Ripa With An 'I Don't Believe A Comedian Needs To Apologise' Video

Howie Mandel and Kelly Ripa's exchange during his appearance on Live with Kelly and Mark has been making the rounds for a while now. The duo shared a tense on-air exchange during the recent episode. However, after much debate, the comedian acknowledged where things went wrong and apologised to the show's host. 

Howie Mandel apologises for the tense on-air moment on Live with Kelly and Mark

Howie Mandel publicly apologised to Kelly Ripa after a tense on-air exchange during a recent episode of Live with Kelly and Mark. The apology video was shared by the comedian on his social media handle. The clip came after Howie refused to accept a compliment about his looks while appearing as a guest on the show's March 23, 2026, episode. However, in the apology video, Howie Mandel acknowledged that he was wrong.

The comedian shared that he has been debating whether to post the video for a while now. He added that it was hard for him to do this, but it was for his dear friend who had stood with him through everything. He revealed that, while he believes a comedian should not have to apologise for his joke and that he had never once publicly apologised in his five decades in the industry, he was doing this for Kelly Ripa. He was quoted as saying:

"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. I don't believe that somebody … who's a comedian needs to apologise 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 apologised for [a joke]. It's hard for me. But this is for Kelly Ripa, who has been incredibly supportive in the past."

In the same video, Howie Mandel added that he and Kelly Ripa have shared a long past. He shared that while his intent was to have fun, sometimes jokes don't land the way one intends. He acknowledged it was hard for him and didn't know how to admit he was wrong. He concluded the post by making a lighthearted joke. He was quoted as saying:

"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. 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. 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."

What happened between Kelly Ripa and Howie Mandel?

At the time, he kept insisting that telling someone their age that they "look great" doesn't "mean anything," since 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." During the initial exchange, Kelly Ripa attempted to clarify her comments, insisting that she, her husband, and co-host, Mark Consuelos genuinely meant only to compliment the comedian. She was quoted as saying:

"We're not saying you look great for 70. We're saying you look great — and I don't believe you're 70."

What are your thoughts on Howie Mandel's apology to Kelly Ripa?

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