Rosie O'Donnell, Kelly Ripa Tangle over Clay Aiken Remark
It all started innocently enough.
Clay Aiken co-hosted Live with Regis and Kelly Friday morning. We assume the American Idol runner-up was simpy playing around when he stuck his hand over the mouth of Kelly Ripa - but Kelly saw nothing funny about the incident.
Our gal responded: "I don't know where that hand has been!"
It was a seemingly innocuous remark, especially coming from the (beautiful) mouth of a mother of three kids during cold and flu season.
Tell that to Rosie O'Donnell, however. Reviewing the incident on The View today, Rosie claimed:
"To me that was a homophobic remark ... If that was a straight man, if that was a cute man, if that was a guy that she didn't question his sexuality, she would have said a different thing. I was very offended by that ... I guarantee, if that was Mario Lopez, she would not have said the same thing."
Such an absurd statement prompted Ripa to call into the show to defend herself, saying she has no fear of gays.
"You have to be more responsible," she told Rosie. "Not everybody is homophobic."
Amen, Kel! We're sure Lindsay Lohan isn't. She'd probably take it from any guy.
November 21st, 2006 7:19 PM
I think Kelly Ripa is very rude and obnoxious. She has taken something that was funny and harmless and made a mountain out of a mole hill. I do not think that Clay owes her an apology............Kelly is the one that owes him a BIG apology for her rudness to a guest host.
November 21st, 2006 8:40 PM
Clay started the "Live" show being disrespectful to Kelly. His attitude was as though he was trying to put Kelly "in her place". Kelly was trying to be a good host in Regis' absence as many times he asks all the questions of a guest and Kelly doesn't interfere.
Rosie had no business turning Kelly's comment into a homophobic issue. No one asked Rosie for her opinion and she needs to learn to keep her mouth shut. Rosie owes Kelly an apology for "butting in".
November 22nd, 2006 3:19 PM
Who cares what Rosie thinks. She is nothing but a person looking for trouble and something to go off about.
Why they pay her to be on TV I'll never know. She is loud, rude and thinks she is the last word in everything.
November 22nd, 2006 3:33 PM
I for one have had it up to my eyeballs with Rosie! Who the hell cares if she is gay! Keep it to yourself, I do not give a damn about anyone sexuality, and why she insists on making an issue and an ass out of herself is beyind me! She is one of the most, if not the MOST obnoxious offense individuals to "grace" the airways. She should learn to keep her mouth shut, but that seems to be mute. If she can;t keep it shut, try not interupting people whne they speak. Rosie you are rude, crude, and socially unacceptable.
November 22nd, 2006 3:42 PM
Well now I think Rosie owes Clay an apology, after all she said "if that was a cute man..." Hmm.. didn't she just insult Clay??? Somebody put a hand over her mouth and Kelly's.
November 22nd, 2006 3:57 PM
Rosie is a loud mouth, rude, ugly and obnoxiuos. I stopped watching the view when they signed her on. She is not fit to be on television.
November 22nd, 2006 5:44 PM
Rosie was right! Kelly was probably subconciously being homophobic and Clay is awkwardly closeted, did you see him on Tyra? I admire Rosie for her brash opinions, though she can be sensitive, she SHOULD NOT shut her mouth as so many have said. I think she should speak up for gay rights and people who have a problem with it need to be labelled for what they are, homophobic!
November 22nd, 2006 5:59 PM
Let Rosie speak up. But let her speak up on matters on which she is informed. She couldn't possibly know if Kelly feels Clay is a homosexual and moreover she couldn't possibly know what Kelly was thinking when she asked him not to place his hand over her mouth. And because Rosie felt it necessary to comment on this matter, she has continued to bring attention to Clay's sexuality. Something he refuses to discuss, which I admire. Sometimes, it is just not that important to speak up, especailly when your comments may hurt the one you are trying to help and you are operating on feelings, not facts. Many people understand that. For others, it is more about them being heard and what they believe is right (even when there is little basis for it) than the meritous cause. As far as Kelly's reacton, I agree with her. I can't tell you how many times my co-workers and I have wondered the same and commented to each other, when our personal space has been invaded. That includes liberties taken with potluck entrees at work! :
November 22nd, 2006 6:48 PM
I think Rose needs to keep her big mouth shut and quit picking fights with every person and issue out there. Kelly reacted in a way I think most would when someone's hand is placed over someone's mouth. First of all that is a rude gesture and second of that is invading their personal space. Clay was in the wrong to hush her up by doing that. It's Kelly's show and she can talk as much as she wants! Note to Rose: stick to what you do best....eating twinkies.
November 22nd, 2006 6:59 PM
It appears to me that Rosie is the homophobe. Odd choice isn't it? Rosie needs to realize that it isn't ALL about her.
November 22nd, 2006 8:04 PM
I would have done the same thing as Kelly. Recently a good looking straight guy in one of my classes took a drink from my water bottle without asking. I proceeded to throw it out, you just never know!
November 22nd, 2006 8:10 PM
Kelly Ripa should go to this site, it sums it up, why was it even an issue to diss Clay on Monday...she should have had a private conversation with him alone....the following blog website below shows that Clay has done a lot for mankind...he really didn't deserve the public displays...
It's too bad, I always watched Regis and Kelly, even been in the studio audience, now I am not interested in how Kelly behaved...she was disrespectful by being so public about it.
http://cdd.blogspot.com/
November 22nd, 2006 8:14 PM
I think that Rosie was totally out of line. Kelly reacted in a manner that many others would. Shut up Rosie. No one really cares if you are gay. Clay hasn't even admitted he IS gay so who is being insensitive?
November 22nd, 2006 8:37 PM
Oh My Gosh!!! I know Rosie just didn't go there! I used to love her on her own show, don't care for her much on the View because she is always talking about her gay lifestyle (which everyone is sick of hearing!) and interrupting her co-hosts but for Rosie to argue with Kelly Ripa...oh no, girl! Kelly is so highly respected...and when she called you, you didn't even give her the time of day! Who do you think you are? Other than some overpaid, gay chick that has brought the ratings of The View way down, you are just another motor mouth.
November 23rd, 2006 12:54 AM
1) Why the Heck is Clay covering for Regis...? That's absurd to begin with!
2) If ANYONE put their hand over my mouth like that, I'd of given then a peice of my mind (but if on TV it would have been AFTER the show..) Get some manners kid and go back to your hick life if you don't know how to behave!
3) I think both Kelly and Rosie have a right to express their view points. and... I'm glad they both got to say their peice.
4) What if Clay isn't gay...? everyong thinks he is now! Maybe he should thank Rosie for finally being TRUTHful even if he couldnt' be.
5) WHO REALLY CARES!! He is a no one, Rosie and Kelly are mature enough to represent their differences and worked it out. Besides,,, maybe there is a little "talk Show" competition going on behind the scenes and they have hidden agendas.
Either way -- watch or don't watch the DIVAs... everyone is entitled to their VIEW :-)
Peace out!
November 23rd, 2006 12:56 AM
Has anyone seen these pics...
http://kellyripaisahypocriteandabully.blogspot.com/
http://kellyripaisahypocriteandabully.blogspot.com/
Apparently someone had different RULES for different people...... maybe Rosie was on to something......
November 23rd, 2006 2:48 AM
Rosie truly is a rude, offensive, obnoxious person.Why she thinks everything is about her, I just don't know. She takes every opportunity to put down and humiliate many innocent people. I stopped watching The View when she came onboard and she has really taken it down in class. Doesn't she realize no one really cares about "her view."
November 23rd, 2006 4:13 AM
This is absolutely ridiculous. First of all, when Kelly made the comment I thought it was hilarious. I don't think that she was being 'homophobic'. So she insinuated that Clay's hand may have been somewhere....naughty, it was a joke. And why would it even be deemed as a homophobic remark if Clay hasn't said he was gay. He may speak, and at times, act effeminate...but that in no way makes him gay. There are plenty of straight males out there, who have feminine tendencies. Rosie needs to be out of the public eye already. I am a lesbian and in No Way does she speak for or represent the gay community. Rosie likes to claim she is for 'the cause' but unfortunately she comes across as a spoiled child wanting attention. To those of you who may be homophobic or even against the lifestyle, please do not hold Rosie as a 'spokesperson' for the gay community. We are all not self indulgent, loud mouthed and reeking of idiocy.
November 23rd, 2006 10:49 AM
I LIKE ROSIE, BUT I DON'T THINK SHE SHOULD HAVE OPENED HER MOUTH BEFORE SHE KNEW WHAT WAS GOING ON! I SEE KELLY'S POINT, I HAVE 3 CHILDREN, AND IT IS FLU SEASON!! HE WAS SHAKING HANDS WITH ALL OF THESE PEOPLE, WHO KNOWS WHAT GERMS THEY HAD ON THEIR HANDS! I DO NOT THINK KELLY IS A HOMOPHOBE! AND I THINK IS WAS RUDE OF ROSIE TO JUMP TO SUCH A CONCLUSION! CHILDREN ARE MORE PRONE WITH CATCHING DISEASES AND GERMS, WHO SHOULDN'T KELLY BE PROTECTIVE OF THEM, I'M SURE SHE DIDN'T WANT THEM SICK FOR THIS SPECIAL THANKFUL DAY EITHER, SO I THINK IF ANYONE OWES ANY APOLOGIES, ROSIE SHOULD BE APOLOGIZING TO KELLY AND KELLY SHOULD APOLOGIZE TO CLAY FOR HER COMMENT, SHE SHOULDN'T HAVE SAID IT THE WAY SHE DID!
November 23rd, 2006 11:28 AM
BOTTOM LINE.....ROSIE, YOU ARE NOTHING MORE THAN A TROUBLE MAKER!!
As a result of your big mouth, I will never watch the View again. It changed for the worse when you arrived anyway, I don't know how your co-hosts can stand you anyway. I imagine they get together after the show and vent about you and your mouth!!!!
November 23rd, 2006 11:45 AM
Kelyy Ripa was embarrassed and instead of angrily chiding him publically - she put humor in to it.
I would have said the same thing.
I donlt bleive there was any underlying reason why she said it -it was just comment that came off the top of her head and not a big deal
I think Rosie Odonnel is insecure about HER own sexuallity because of her accusations and her reading into cother peoples comments and turning them into anti-gay bashing comments.
November 24th, 2006 12:11 PM
July 10, 2003, issue of Rolling Stone magazine...
"One thing I've found of people in the public eye," Aiken says, "either you're a womanizer or you've got to be gay. Since I'm neither one of those, people are completely concerned about me."
Dear Kelly,
Your disrespectful, ill-mannered and hostile treatment of Clay Aiken, while he attempted to co-host on Friday, November 17, was surpassed by your even more disrespectful, ill-mannered and hostile treatment of him on Monday, November 20. Shame on you! Almost from the moment last Friday's show began, you did everything you could to humiliate, embarrass and insult him. Since then, I have seen the homophobic "Halloween costume" episode in its entirety. Let me refresh your memory. You dressed up to look like Clay, "sang," and then proceeded, as Clay, to smother Regis, who was dressed as Bo Bice, with a face full of kisses. Is that little homophobic event coming back to you now? Do you have a conscience? What had Clay Aiken ever done to you personally to warrant your ridicule and rumor mongering? I'm disgusted with everyone associated with LWRK for allowing that homophobic attack against Clay to occur two years ago.
On Friday, you were sitting next to a young man highly committed to making this world a better place for children with disabilities and those otherwise in need. Instead of focusing on the good he is doing, you chose to harass him with a photo of a cat, shabbily exploiting his phobia. It was obvious from the start of the show that the audience was not "your" audience, but Clay's. Amazingly, you even became hostile toward the audience. You capped off your personal attacks against Clay by verbally elbowing him out of most of the rest of the show.
Did you expect Clay to just sit back and take your abuse? If you did, then you are also guilty of not doing your job. If you had bothered to find out anything factual and true about Clay, instead of relying on totally discredited sources like Howard Stern (more on HS later), you would have known that Clay is anything but a pushover or anything else suggested by Howard. You know now that Clay is quick-witted, well informed and challenging, but never mean-spirited. Too bad that such a little taste of your own medicine was so bitter for you. At no point did Clay prey on your fears, make fun of your appearance, slander your character or spread lies about you. No, that's your exclusive MO.
I wish Clay had not teasingly put his hand over your mouth as you have done to Regis on at least three separate occasions documented by screen caps on your fan site. But, nothing Clay said or did on Friday came even close to warranting your vicious attack of Monday. Everything you accused him of you are guilty of yourself. If you already disrespected him so much, why did you have him on the show? Just to humiliate, embarrass and insult him? None of this is really about Clay, is it? It's about what's inside you, Kelly.
If Howard Stern ever called me, I would keep it a shameful secret and take it to my grave. On Monday morning, your studio audience was palpably appalled and stunned by your vicious and unwarranted attack on Clay. Neither your studio nor your viewing audience has ever before witnessed such a personal vitriolic spewing forth of hatred by one entertainer for another. That your target was Clay Aiken is incomprehensible! There was no chance of empathy or credibility for your irrational and mean-spirited rant, but had there been, you would have stamped it out for good when you mentioned Howard Stern and the morally reprehensible "amusement" he provided you at Clay's expense.
Finally, I hope that as you ponder the events of Friday and Monday, you will find it in yourself to critically examine your attitude, motives, agendas and behavior. You need to own why it's in your best interest to treat others as you clearly wish to be treated. Clay Aiken is too fine a person to treat you as poorly as you treated him. Your next guest/co-host might make a different choice.
Clay sent you flowers with a note of apology during your show on Wednesday, November 22. When do you plan to mention his apology on your show? However wronged by your hypocrisy, it's no surprise that he held to the standard of the consummate gentleman he is. Maybe, from now on, you'll know one when you see one.
November 25th, 2006 11:16 AM
Wow, Michelle. I don't think that I've ever heard such a passionate response to something so benign. BTW, Kelly doesn't invite guest hosts, her producers do.
I love Clay. He's an incredible man. I also love Kelly. Her germaphobia has been well documented over the years, and I think that is all this was about. It was also about Clay being "on edge" the whole show. Kelly makes fun of everyone, including herself. That's what she does. She mercilessly teases Regis about all his fears. He takes it and dishes it back. If Clay had done any show research prior to being on, he would have been prepared for a comeback.
I don't care how many adjectives you throw into a sentence, Michelle, you are just a little hostile and have found a mark. Good for you, but I don't agree with a word of it. Except for Clay being a wonderful man.
PS: Rosie says she never questioned his sexuality? No, she didn't. What she does is call a man gay who is not ready to be called that. I think that is just mean.
November 28th, 2006 4:59 PM
How many times have you heard people say, "I don't know where your hands have been?" I know I've heard that line plenty of times, both on TV and in real life - - and said to men, women, and (yikes!) straight people too!! Say it isn't so! It is. The woman who's name begins with an "R" - - and I don't mean Ripa - - needs to chill with her grandstanding.
And, while I believe that Kelly considered the germ factor - I don't know that that was her thought when she was initially repelled by Clay's hand over her mouth. Her first thought, and appropriately so, was probably disdain for her space being invaded. And, I don't care if Regis has done the same thing to her 100 times. She obviously has a rapport with him - and probably with others too. I can't believe she even has to explain herself. If I were in her situation, I probably would have fallen back in my chair or made a hideous expression much worse than her statement and civilized reaction. Actually, when I watched the clip - I think I did both.
This shouldn't be a commentary on homophobia. Rather, it should be a lesson for those people who don't understand social boundaries that they really shouldn't touch people. People have a right not to be touched by others. That's why we have laws against battery.
November 28th, 2006 10:48 PM
If you watch the opening dialogue of Live w/Regis and Kelly on that fateful day, and you really watch Clay Aiken, he seemed to be a bit aggressive toward Kelly. For him to have interrupted her while she was conducting an interview by stating, "... you just let me know when I can talk here...", and at her follow-up question, to put his hand anywhere near her face, let alone over her mouth, is beyond RUDE!
He owes her an apology on a couple of different
levels.
Rosie O'Donnell on the other hand, should have just stayed out of it. I think she is probably the only one that viewed that as a homophobic statement! I don't care if a person is cute or not, gay or straight... Rude is rude!!!