Howie Mandel doesn’t deal with false flattery.
Kelly Ripa came under fire after America’s Got Talent judges congratulated her on turning 70, calling it “meaningless” to say how gracefully she’s aging.
Howie said this on the March 24 episode of Live With Kelly and Mark. “What do you mean there’s no meaning?”
Making Kelly’s point clear, co-host Mark Consuelos added, “You look so nice.”
But the Deal or No Deal host didn’t necessarily take the couple’s praise as a compliment.
“That doesn’t mean anything,” Howie said, sharpening his fingers and interjecting.
Trying to get sympathy for the compliment, Kelly interjected, “I’m not saying you look great at 70.”
Howie enthusiastically interjected, “Yes, you don’t say ’70,’ you are,” to which Kelly continued, “No, we say you’re great, but I don’t believe you’re 70.”
Mark, on the other hand, stood 10 toes down at the statement and said to them, “I say so.”
But the author of Here’s the Deal: Don’t Touch Me insisted this flattery was behind the scenes.
