Howie Mandel’s Unexpected Response on Age Compliments
Howie Mandel found himself in an uncomfortable moment during a recent appearance on “Live with Kelly & Mark.” What began as a simple morning chat quickly escalated when Mandel challenged what he saw as ageism.
It all started when Mark Consuelos mentioned, “We just celebrated 70. We’re already 70,” prompting Kelly Ripa to clarify, “It makes no sense.” At this point, Mandel chimed in, questioning the implications of the comments.
“What do you mean by meaningless?” he asked, clearly not pleased. Consuelos tried to steer the conversation back to praise, saying, “You’re amazing!” But Mandel pushed back further.
“Do I look nice? It doesn’t mean anything to me,” he responded, visibly shifting the tone. “I don’t like it. Because it’s a warning,” he added, driving his point home. Ripa attempted to reassure him, saying, “I’m not saying you still look great at 70. You look great.” Still, Mandel wasn’t convinced.
“Yes, you don’t have to say ’70 years old,'” he reiterated. Consuelos seemed to back Mandel, agreeing with him, which probably added to the confusion on stage.
Mandel went on to liken age-based compliments to telling a “stupid person” that they’re smart, a statement that drew laughter from the audience but also reflected the tension of the moment. After a brief pause, he eventually lightened the mood, declaring, “Let me be serious for a second. I’m gorgeous!” This remark elicited laughter and helped ease the awkwardness.
Following the exchange, Mandel shared insights into his unique fitness routine that he believes contributes to his appearance at 70. He joked about how his friend Jerry O’Connell introduced him to an unconventional swimming workout. Mandel described tying a swim cable around his ankle and attaching it to the poolside, which he found amusingly ridiculous.
He also mentioned using a frying pan paddle during his workouts, saying, “I swam with it for an hour and didn’t get anywhere,” adding that he really gets into his routines.
Earlier this year, Mandel discussed the financial mistakes he sees new entertainers make after landing their first big paychecks. He reflected on the importance of financial literacy, referencing the famous book “Rich Dad, Poor Dad.” Mandel emphasized the value of making money work for you rather than just spending it on depreciating assets.
