Rosie Rips Kelly for "Homophobic" Remark

Posted Nov 21st 2006 12:00PM by TMZ Staff
Filed under: TV, The View, Rosie O'Donnell

Rosie O'Donnell started a bitchfight with fellow morning-diva Kelly Ripa when she accused Ripa of making a "homophobic" remark.

The fracas started on "The View" when O'Donnell said that Ripa was "homophobic" for her scolding of Aiken when he co-hosted her show the other day and playfully put his hand over her mouth, prompting Ripa to snap, "I don't know where that hand has been." Rosie suggested that if Aiken had been a "straight guy, a cute guy" or, for instance, Mario Lopez, Ripa wouldn't have made the same remark. (Aiken, of course, has never said anything publicly about his sexuality.)

Ripa was incensed enough to call into the show immediately, firing back that Rosie's accusation was "outrageous" and "irresponsible" and that Ripa made the remark last Friday because it was "cold and flu season" and that Aiken had shaken the hands of the studio audience. Rosie wasn't buying it, and in acknowledging that she admires Ripa, said that "from where I sit" as an openly gay woman, Ripa's response was homophobic.

Kelly, for her part, continued to pile on Aiken as well, saying that his behavior on last week's episode was "disrespectful," including the fact that he never thanked her for the opportunity to co-host.

RelatedLinksRipa Rips Aiken a New One -- Dont Hush Me, Dork!

Comments: 13

True American Nov 21, 2006, 2:23pm UTC

Rosie does have a point. Ripa is a homophobe and would not have said that had it been someone who was "str8" or whatever. Ripa is clearly a stupid bitch and isnt able to take responsibility for her words and what she meant. I think Rosie is just finally at her wits-end with the way homosexuals are treated here in America, all of us homosexuals are finally fet up and well.. shits gone too far and now we arent going to sit back anymore and tolerate any shit. You know, we got South America, South Africa, Europe, they all treat homosexuals like everyone else and here, the beacon of a free world, can't even keep up with those other nations with something as simple as equal rights. I dont use this word often as it even offends me, but im gonna say it anyways cause she is deserving of it, Rita is a CUNT. 'Nuff said.

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Martha Jette, Author/Editor Nov 21, 2006, 2:31pm UTC

I have to disagree here. I think Rosie is making a big issue out of this. I saw the show when Clay put his hand over Kelly's mouth and was not surprised that she didn't like that move - no matter who it was.

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Tamara W. Nov 21, 2006, 2:38pm UTC

I agree Martha. She is a mom and so I would say she is more of a germaphobe than a homophobe. In past shows she has said a few things along the lines of trying keep away from being sick.

Hugh, maybe it works that way over in LV, but there is always room for difference in opinion on a variety of topics. TO ME, there is a lot more to being racist. You may disagree with what I am saying here. Does that mean you are racist because you disagree with me because I am a Black Hispanic?

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True American Nov 21, 2006, 3:07pm UTC

Well i hope im wrong about Ripa. If i was wrong for calling her a cunt then ill say im sorry. I dont watch the show like some of you do apparently so i dont really know this Ripa chic. But when Rosie is upset about something, there is usually some basis there.

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Tamara W. Nov 21, 2006, 3:12pm UTC

True American, I understand what you mean and I agree. Rosie is outspoken when she feels that someone or a group has been wronged. So I do agree. But in this case, I disagree with her.

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Sue * Nov 21, 2006, 3:45pm UTC

I actually saw the show with Clay and Kelly Ripa, and the show this morning with Rosie. I think everyone is wrong. Kelly was monopolizing the guests and I don't blame Clay for wanting to get to talk, but he was wrong to put his hand over her mouth. I think if Regis had done it, she wouldn't have reacted this way. Not because he is straight and Clay may or may not be gay, but because she feels equal to Regis on the show, and with Clay, it was HER show. Was she wrong to say what she did-I think so. I'm not gay, but because of the discussions of Clay's sexuality recently, I did think the remark had a sexual hint to it. So, I can see why Rosie might have had that impression, I think she carried it too far when Kelly said it wasn't meant that way. She should have just said ok, and let it go after that. It seems to me like several misunderstandings among talented people who usually respect each other. I hope it just passes quietly.

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Elita K. Nov 21, 2006, 7:04pm UTC

Sue, I agree with your points 100%. I also agree with Ripa on point and one point only--if she had been a man, Clay would've never disrespected her that way.

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Felix R. Nov 21, 2006, 9:13pm UTC

Rosie the Mouth has struck again! I knew it wouldn't be long before she disrupted the smooth sailing of "The View".

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Lisa Westerfield Nov 22, 2006, 3:37pm UTC

What I think is sort of interesting is that Rosie sort of outed Clay who has never confirmed his homosexuality. The comment was obviously not thought out and I do think that it was a bit of a nod to his sexuality, but not his homosexuality necessarily. Remember Clay has made the gossip columns recently for his misadventures in Internet hooking up, which is in and of itself pretty nasty. Besides, if Kelly was that horrible tiny man Regis, Clay would have never have felt he could act in such a manner. If I as Kelly and he touched me in that way, I would have punched in him the throat so hard he would have been on the floor and his next three concerts would have been canceled.

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John S. (arizona) Nov 23, 2006, 10:02am UTC

Rosie is a big mistake for that show anyway. I don't watch it, but when I heard about it, I was surprised. She can be funny in movies and stuff, but on shows like this she is bound to be a thorn. I don't care for her at all, and would be pissed if someone put their hand over my mouth as well. Does that make me homophobic too?

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Felix R. Nov 23, 2006, 6:48pm UTC

"Rosie is a big mistake for that show anyway."

HELLO!!! What the heck were they thinking? Hey, Babwa, dump this load of crap.

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LittleMissSunshine A. Nov 29, 2006, 4:31pm UTC

This is a case of dumb and dumber. Ripa may be stupid but Rosie is a heterophobe. Teachers say not to put your hands on your own mouth let alone other peoples because of cold and germs. Rosie O'donnel needs to shut up and try looking at things from both points of view rather than expecting people to subscribe to hers.

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Rosie Rips Kelly for "Homophobic" Remark

Comments: 13

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