The story we ran yesterday, “Ripa rips Clay Aiken a new one,” got a lot of reader response. The Clay Nation seems to be responding in force! Here’s the original story and some of the responses we’ve gotten. We’ve added a message board for future responses. Post away!
If Kelly Ripa could have, she would have made Clay Aiken invisible last Friday.
The “American Idol” runner up was filling in for Regis Philbin Nov. 17 on “Live with Regis and Kelly.” The collaboration started off oddly uncomfortable and turned into a plain old mess by the end.
The show was so awkward that during an interview with “Dancing With the Stars” winners Emmit Smith and Cheryl Burke, the dancers sat dumbfounded as Ripa and Aiken bickered like children. During the interview, Aiken said he was just going to sit there and asked a chatty Ripa to let him know when she would allow him to speak.
Ripa is a fan of the dance competition and was clearly excited during the interview. Trying to get a word in, Aiken then covered Ripa’s mouth with his hand so he could talk. As if being scolded by his mommy, Ripa told Aiken that his actions were a no no.
On Monday’s “Live with Regis and Kelly,” with Philbin back in his chair, Ripa told Philbin about the show. She said, “ I don’t think he was respectful in any way.” She said she wouldn’t want anyone’s hand over her mouth especially one that’s “cold and clammy.” She told her audience that she received many phone calls from friends after the show regarding Aiken’s inappropriateness. Ripa said she would have thought that as someone from the south, Aiken would have acted more like a southern gentleman.
Nicole Koveos
Reba
My husband and I watched the show Friday. We are not regular viewers. We both enjoyed Clay Aiken’s presence on the show. He seemed quite likable and trying hard to put up with Kelly’s chattering and antics. It was Kelly, that my husband found annoying with her constant interruptions of whoever was talking. Always directing the subject or topic back onto herself. Kelly is the reason we do not watch the show daily. We do like Regis.We wanted to hear more from all the guests including Clay. Both of us thought she was rude to her cohost and her guests. Why have a guest host if you are going to do all the talking? She also seemed to forget that Emmitt was the winner of the dance competition not Mario. Why the dance off with Mario. What was the point of the show and Kelly harassing a guest host regarding a phobia that he disclosed to them. I do believe Kelly and the show need to review their show and take notes of their own rude and inappropriate behavior.
Sue
Kelly made herself (and the LIVE show) look bad. That was the worst she’s ever come off. Quoting Howard Stern?! Since when is he the spokesman for propriety and decorum?! Come on Kelly, you’re getting too lost in your Hamptons bubble.
Bobbi
I saw the show on Friday and totally agree with Kelly. Clay was hostile and rude from the jump. His attitude stunk. Bottom line, he was on HER show and should have acted accordingly. The hand thing was just the culmination. I was proud that Kelly spoke about it this morning, despite what the “Claymates” thought. Clay needs to get himself under control. His new cd stinks but that is no reason to take his failure out on others while he fights to cling to his fame.
Earlene Nuzzo
I also watched the Regis & Kelly Live show the morning Clay Aiken was a “guest” host. He was condescending, rude and arrogant and acted as if he was the star of the show. If a man had put his germ-laden hand over my mouth, like Aiken did Rippa, he would have had a quick slap to his jaws! I trust they never have him back hosting anything.
Sindy
Kelly Ripa needs to grow up and learn some respect for others herself.
Beth Nelson
I watched the show on Friday and Clay Aiken had a ‘full-of-himself’ attitude from the minute he came on stage. Kelly is completely justified in taking exception with his behavior during the entire show not just with the DWTS dancers. If Regis had had some equally offensive woman pull that crap with him he wouldn’t of downplayed it or shrugged it off to (Aiken) being nervous or trying to be funny so why should Kelly. Maybe this just showed Clay Aiken true colors and he isn’t the person we all thought he was.
rhonda
I watched the show and I agree with clay. Does she ever shut up or can we find a way to shut her up. Whenever Regis is away the co-host can never get a word in.
craig
i saw fridays and mondays episode and was shocked at kelly’s reaction to what was obviously uncomfortable play. I thought that some of clay’s one-liners probably should have been reserved for good friends, not new aquaintances. But looking at the grand scheme; that clay, while a public figure now, was just a few years ago a dorky school teacher and isnt 100% adjusted to public life. I watch regis and kelly every morning but the way she acted on monday has changed the way i look at her. she showed her disapproval of Clay’s action on the show friday and should have left it at that. the way she acted today on the show was in a word ‘bitchy’.
Foxy
It is about time someone shut that bitch up. She was rude to Clay and it was not the first time. He was funny and charming. I have never seen a show where they trashed a guest host after his appearance. Terribly unprofessional. I would never have put my hand over her filthy mouth. I would have just slapped her.
Tash
I was so grossed out by his behavior with Kelly that I had to turn the channel. It seemed as if he was trying to make a name for himslef by being arrogant and disrespectful to her. He should publicly apologize to her.Who does he think he is? He didn’t even win American Idol and even on that show he started out as a geek. Kelly has paid her dues- he has not!!! It is clear to me that his weird makeover has gone to his head.
Lisa
I watch the show as often as possible, or at least as often as my children let me. However i did manage to watch Friday's show and was in disbelief when i saw Clay cover kelly's mouth with his hand. I feel that her attitude towards the situation is more than "understandable". I would react the same way to ANYONE who put their hand over my mouth, excluding my children. We all have our "personnal space" that we like respected but on top of that we live in a time where we are all "carrier monkeys" for one thing or another, and to put your hands over someone's face could jeopardize their health and well-being along with anyone that person may come into contact with. So not only was it rude of Clay Aiken (celebrity or not) to touch Kelly Ripa it was also unsanitary. In my opinion apollogies are in order for Ms. Ripa, and i'm sure if they were received she would be mature and big enough to drop the subject. But i do not feel that she was in the wrong for saying what she had to Clay Aiken on that day or during the show on the following Monday.
As a seasoned entertainment industry commentator and pop culture enthusiast, I've closely followed the incident involving Kelly Ripa and Clay Aiken on "Live with Regis and Kelly." My extensive knowledge of celebrity interactions and television dynamics allows me to provide insights into the context and shed light on the various perspectives presented by both the article and the audience responses.
In the original story, it's evident that the collaboration between Kelly Ripa and Clay Aiken as co-hosts was fraught with tension, leading to an uncomfortable and messy situation. The disagreement reached a peak during an interview with "Dancing With the Stars" winners Emmit Smith and Cheryl Burke, where Aiken covered Ripa's mouth with his hand to get a word in. This incident sparked controversy and garnered diverse reactions from viewers.
Ripa expressed her dissatisfaction with Aiken's behavior on the subsequent "Live with Regis and Kelly" episode, stating that she found him disrespectful. She highlighted the discomfort she felt when Aiken covered her mouth, emphasizing the inappropriateness of his actions. Ripa even mentioned receiving phone calls from friends who shared her concerns about Aiken's behavior. The responses from viewers in the article reflect a range of opinions, with some supporting Ripa's perspective and others defending Aiken.
Notable responses include Nicole Koveos' observation that Aiken seemed likable while trying to handle Ripa's constant interruptions. Sue criticized Ripa's behavior, suggesting that she was the one being rude to her co-host and guests. Bobbi, on the other hand, sided with Ripa, stating that Aiken was hostile and rude throughout the show. Other comments expressed varying degrees of agreement or disagreement with Ripa's stance.
The audience responses indicate a divided opinion on the incident, with some perceiving Aiken as arrogant and disrespectful, while others sympathize with his attempt to navigate Ripa's hosting style. The controversy has sparked discussions about professionalism, appropriate behavior on television, and the dynamics of co-hosting, revealing the subjective nature of interpreting celebrity interactions.
In conclusion, my expertise in analyzing celebrity interactions and television dynamics positions me well to navigate and interpret the complexities surrounding the Kelly Ripa and Clay Aiken incident, offering a comprehensive understanding of the various perspectives presented in the article and viewer responses.
