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Howie Mandel managed to turn a simple compliment into a moment of comedic chaos during his visit to Live with Kelly and Mark.
Appearing on Monday’s show, Mark Consuelos took the opportunity to remind the America’s Got Talent judge about his recent milestone, celebrating his 70th birthday. Kelly Ripa chimed in, expressing disbelief by saying, “it doesn’t make any sense.” Mandel, ever the quick wit, challenged this, prompting Consuelos and Ripa to assure him that he “looks great.”
“I look great? That doesn’t mean anything to me,” Mandel retorted, not missing a beat.
Ripa was adamant, insisting, “it does,” but Mandel was having none of it.
“No, no, no,” he countered. “I don’t like that, because that’s a caveat… when you tell someone they’re 70, and then say, ‘You look great.’”
Ripa explained that she and Consuelos were “not saying, ‘You look great for 70,’” though Mandel told them that they “are, without saying 70.”
Consuelos chimed in, “I am saying that!”
“We’re saying you look great, and I don’t believe you’re 70,” Ripa said,
Mandel likened the compliment to “saying, ‘You’re smart for a stupid person.’”
“Oh, you look smart! You seem smart!’ I don’t look good,” he claimed.
Consuelos added, “You do look good.”
Finally, Mandel thanked Consuelos for the compliment, and seemingly changed his tune as he told the co-hosts about clocking a mirror backstage right before walking out onto the set of the daytime talk show.
“Honestly, now, I’ll be serious for a minute, I am gorgeous,” he teased.
Consuelos agreed, “You are!”
Ripa echoed, “That’s amazing. You’re a thing of beauty!”
Mandel turned his animosity toward the audience, as he questioned why one half of the audience “find[s him] more gorgeous” than the other half.
DECIDER reached out to representatives for Mandel and to Live with Kelly and Mark for comment, but did not hear back by time of publication.
Live with Kelly and Mark airs on weekdays. Check out their website for your local listings.