Howie Mandel explains why compliments about your age sting
Howie Mandel explains why the compliment “You look great for your age” is misplaced on “Live with Kelly and Mark.”
Howie Mandel is trying to defuse tension between Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos after a headline-grabbing exchange over a backdoor compliment.
The “America’s Got Talent” judge and comedian spoke about his previous week’s appearance on “Live with Kelly and Mark” in a March 28 Instagram video. On the March 23 episode, Ripa said it “doesn’t make any sense” that Mandel is 70 years old, and her husband pointed out, “You look so great.”
“I’ve been debating for 48 hours whether or not to post this, but I don’t know if I’m doing the right thing philosophically. I don’t think a comedian should apologize for a joke,” Mandel said at the beginning of the video. “This is a joke. I mean it as a joke and I don’t mean to offend you. You won’t like it.”
“This is hard for me because in 50 years of business, I have never publicly apologized. But this is for Kelly Ripa, who has been incredibly supportive thus far,” he continued. “Not only have I been a guest on her show, I’ve co-hosted with her and I’ve known her for years. When I go on the show, I just try to be funny and funny, but as a comedian, sometimes things don’t go the way you want them to.”
Mandel recently appeared on daytime talk shows in 2024 and 2025. As Mandel continued speaking, his apology sounded like the video was actually making fun of the incident.
“I don’t know how to say it, but I just want to say I’m sorry to Kelly, and this is the hardest part, but you’re right. You’re absolutely right. I’m sorry I didn’t take it that way,” he said. “But after much thought and introspection, I look good for my age. I really do. I look great. I have to accept the fact that I look this good.”
During an appearance on “Live with Kelly and Mark,” Mandel seemed to resent Ripa and Consuelos’ compliments. “Do I look great? It means nothing to me,” Mandel said. “I don’t like it, because it’s a warning, because if you tell someone you’re 70 years old, they’ll say, ‘You look great[for your age].'”
He added: “That’s like saying, ‘Smart for a fool.'” “Oh, you look smart. You look smart.’ It doesn’t look good.”
The hosts insisted that Mandel was “amazing” regardless of his age, a point Mandel eventually conceded.
“Thank you. … Honestly, let’s be serious for a second. I’m gorgeous. I am,” Mandel said, to which Ripa responded, “You are beautiful.”
Contributor: Edward Segarra, USA TODAY
