Howie Mandel defends comedians, slams Kelly Ripa’s pre-fight cancellation culture
Howie Mandel has boasted that canceling tradition is over and the comedian shouldn’t be afraid to joke freely about all subjects – just before apologizing for Kelly Ripa’s comments.
“I don’t think anything is off limits,” Mandel exclusively told Page Six at the next-wave comedy talent show “America’s Got Talent” at the world-famous Laugh Factory in Hollywood on February 2.
Mandel added, “I don’t think there’s anything funny. I don’t think there’s anything like this anytime soon.”
The 70-year-old TV star noted that while “comedy has become more popular in the last decade” due to canceling tradition, he thinks “the pendulum has swung back.”
“You know, some of the best comedies sell out arenas (on) many nights,” he said. “Some great jokes are incredibly hateful.”
But comics are now bigger than ever. And I think the reason they’re bigger than ever is because they say laughter is the best medicine, and I think we need more medicine now than we’ve ever needed on this planet.”
Mandel expressed his hope that with comedy on the rise again, the comedy can finally land the $1M prize on this summer’s “AGT” in time for 21 years of the smash hit NBC show.
You understand that the most popular or crude, raunchy comedies, were not aired on this show because its airtime is focused on the family.
“I just believe in broadcasting the right way,” he said. “So, you know, ‘AGT’ is a network show that is supported by advertisers and they have the right to market their product the way they believe their audience is.”
He continued, “So I’m committed enough not to go there or we’re committed enough not to allow jokes or anyone on that stage to go where they shouldn’t go that won’t be supported by the people who support this show.”
Mandel’s statement came before she faced negative comments about her collaboration on “Live with Kelly and Mark” on March 23.
He also rejected the recommendations of the presenters for his youthful appearance with tight lines, which caused criticism on social media.
Mandel apologized to Ripa, 55, and Consuelos, 55, on Instagram — but then admitted she wasn’t sure the apology was the right move.
“I don’t believe in apologies, but as I said in that document, which I regret doing, obviously I told a joke that didn’t go well,” Mandel said on Tuesday’s “Hot Mics with Billy Bush” conference.
“Comedians always say, ‘If you can make one person laugh, you’re doing a job,’ but obviously that’s not enough.
He went on to say, “You liked my joke, I’m learning that nothing can be stopped and I don’t understand. I tried to stop it, I tried to apologize, I agreed with people.
