I think someone should put their hand over Rosie's mouth.

i thought kelly totally overacted. i thought he was just being really playful, which she usually is anyway. why couldn't she just have fun with it? i mean, it could have annoyed her, but she acted like he touched her breasts or something.

i dont think kelly overreacted at all!!!! whether he is gay or not, whether its michael jackson or justin timberlake...you dont know where anyones hands have been and it is not acceptable to put ur hand over someones mouth like that!!!!!

and i love the way kelly stood up to rosie!!!!

and i agree w/ you ginger

I think everyone in this whole situation has overreacted. It was a joke gone bad by Clay. Kelly and Rosie both got too offended by the results.

lordy lordy

I think Rosie was the one out of line and unprofessional. I watched the show this morning and I agree that Rosie needs to be more responsible and watch what she says on T.V no matter what her "view" is. Kelly NEVER brought up Clay's sexuality on the show, and frankly WHO CARES? Sorry all claymates out there, but he is beat.

I agree Ginger. Holy parinoia. Why doesn't the redhead alliance go after Kelly and say it's all because he's a redhead? Minorities, no matter in what way, totally overreact. It would be like today when someone questioned something i did at work and then I got defensive and said, "It's because I'm a Christian, isn't it??" People are so parinoid and read way to much crap into everything. GET A LIFE!! NO ONE IS OUT TO GET YOU! (well, most of us anyways). I think Kelly felt disrespected, seeing how Clay is just a guest. In addition, with lipstick on, I hate it when anything touches my lips because then it just sticks to them. SHUT UP ROSIE!!!

~Bonnie~

so Rosie thinks Clay is an ugly gay? wow, pot to kettle, pot to kettle, come in kettle...

Whatev. I wouldn't want anyone's hand on my mouth, especially during flu season. Cheers to Kelly for keeping it real. Boo to Rosie for being so homo-paranoid. First of all the guy isn't even out of the closet yet. . . second of all, if I ever see that Rosie b*tch I'm gonna shove my hand over her mouth and see how she likes it.

And, may i add, Rosie is the one labeling Clay...Kelly never did.

~Bonnie~

it looks like kelly and rosie over-reacted to me. it was a joke, lighten up! people flip out over such silly things...

I think that Kelly handled the situation remarkably well. Clay was rude and Rosie is on a witchhunt.

I would have reacted the same way if someones hand came anywhere near my face I don't care what season it is. I would probably rip their hand off and beat them with it! Gross.

MAYBE Rosie would have a point if a straight man actually had put his hand over her mouth and she responded differently. How can Rosie make such a big deal out of this and base it on something that she thinks would have happened? She needs to get out of everyones business

Personally, I think Kelly would've reacted that way to anyone putting their hand on her mouth. I would've laughed it off and continued on, but I really don't worry about germs. Some people do and you have to try to respect that.

Now Rosie, on the other hand, what the hell? Clay has obviously not wanted to talk about his sexuality, and she pretty much spoke with the certainty that he is homosexual, so, in a sense, outing him. Which I believe was irresponsible and rude.

I don't think kelly overreacted at all. If one of my coworkers put their hand over my mouth I would go off; doesn't matter to me; white, black, gay, straight, midget - i dont care. There's a thing called "personal space" and he completely overstepped his boundary.
Kelly handled the situation very well while remaining respectful and tactful with her choice of words. But Rosie on the other hand, she needs to put a sock in it - And I agree with you, Estahrox, Rosie was being very homo-paranoid.

I can't stand the sound of Rosie's voice...she annoys me. But that's a whole other topic.

um.. i think if i was the host of a show and someone stepped infor a day as MY cohost...and he covered my mouth with his hands i would be a little mad

No really though, come on. I would be really annoyed if ANYONE did that. There is no reason to place your hands on her face (and I am no fan of Kelly's either). Ill!

*nance*

p.s. Rosie needs to chill ... well more like MIND HER BEESWAX!

*nance*

Eww...I don't want ANYONE touching my face. I don't like when people I'm not close to touch me at all, as a matter of fact.

I agree, Ginger. Rosie gets herself into more trouble than she can handle.

Aren't there bigger things going on that she can comment on? Like Kramer's racist remarks, OJ's TV deal being cancelled? Why does she only comment about people she believes are gay?

i don't like kelly either, but her reaction never struck me as being homophobic. rosie is a lot sensitive.

I'm with Kelly Ripa 100%. I saw the show on Friday (when Clay was on), and he was being totally combative with Kelly during the opening segment of the show. It only got worse when he put his hand on her mouth.

As for Rosie...does she really need to pull the gay card on this one? She was way out of line.

Rosie would have had nothing to say if that was a straight man, but she has to make it a sexuality issue. This will go on and on now because Rosie brought up his sexuality. She talked about the odd position he is in- well she just put him in an even worse position. I love that Kelly elaborated on Clay's manners- no "Thank You" for the opportunity or "I'm sorry for the misunderstanding or lack of respect. I thought he prided himself on being a good, Christian gentleman. I would have been taken aback as well. I don't think my husband would ever dare do that to me while I am talking.

I think what Rosie said about Kelly Ripa was inflammatory. I don't think anyone likes having someone else's hand covering their mouth, no matter who it is. I think Kelly has handled herself and explained herself very well through this whole situation. Rosie, on the other hand, is completely out of line. Clay Aiken has never publicly admitted to being gay, so where does Rosie get off saying he is? She's defending a gay person who hasn't even admitted to being gay. Defend yourself Rosie and keep your mouth shut about other people.

I think it has less to do with Kelly being concerned about germs and much more to do with her feeling completely disrespected by Clay. Like she mentioned on the show Monday, there is no way he would have ever attemted to cover Regis or any other man's mouth that way.

It was rude of him to put his hand over her mouth. That's akin to telling someone to shut up. It's like something you would do to a small child (in which case it would still be rude). It's her TV show and he was just a guest co-host. It had nothing to do with homophobism.

On the other hand, I wish I had a giant, self-locking hand. I would immediately put it over Rosie O'Donnell's mouth and secure it there permanently. She is so obnoxious, loud mouthed and uncouth. Everything about her is like fingernails on a chalkboard. She used to be so fake-nice on her old show, and now it is like she's trying to be as rude, in-your-face and mean as she can to counter act that. Neither extreme is attractive.

DID ROSIE JUST OUT CLAY??? lol anyway I dont liek peoples hand over my mouth too I would have done the same thing! BUT THEN AGAIN I have a feeling if Regis did that Kelly would not have acted like she did towards Clay

I agree, dia, I think it was rude of Clay to put his hand over Kelly's mouth, however she handled it quite well by telling him it was a, "no-no".
LOL @ the "self-locking hand over Rosie's mouth" comment.

remember when rosie was a happy person? what happened to her? she's always so nasty and ugly to people. never a kind word or anyone.

Natalie!!!!!

Can you imagine if you were at work and discussing something in a meeting and someone put their hand over your mouth? I am sure Clay didn't mean disrespect, but unfortunately that's what happened. I am sure the incident alone embarassed him enough... now he has Rosie blabbing about it... if he wasn't wishing he could take it back before, he definitely is now!

It's all good...

I know, Val. It's so weird because she seemed so genuine and NICE on her talk show, then that ended, and it's like she went and had a personality transplant. I just thought is was wrong of her to call Kelly's response to Clay's action homophobic when the poor guy hasn't even admitted to being gay.

Why does it always have to be someones sexuality, race, gender...etc. How could you possibly get that was homophobic!?

I completely agree with everything that Kelly said.

yeah, that was odd too. poor guy can't get a break on that one. i liked her when she was in love with tom cruise and brought people up from her talk show audience and made them feel special.
tomorrow's going to suck too, isn't it?

Lisa!!!!!!!

For Kelly to go all nutso over this is just weird. If she had such a big problem with it, she should have taken care of it back stage. Like a grown up. Not made it this huge telvised deal. Oh and Kelly's remark WAS homophobic. "I don't know where that hand's been"... very loaded. I think Rosie hit the nail on the head and then some. And-- hello!-- Kelly should have let the man speak! Then none of us would even be talking about this.

I don't think kelly meant it like that. It never even crossed my mind when I heard her say that. I just thought of germs from shaking peoples hands or coughing into your own hand.

I happen to luv kel rip (thats what we call her in the hood) no really i do luv her and i dont think she overreactted i think Regis would have gotten the same response as a mother you have to be very careful of what you come in contact with because of your kids she didn't go off she said it s a no no which it is and that she doe not know where his hands have been which is a comment that always gets used and when his presubably gay feelings got hurt she tried to make him feel better maybe if he would have just put hie hands in front of her mouth it would have been okay but he actually touched her i mean really eewww i would maybe let denzel, will smith, tupac (RIP) jay-z you know a choice few touch my mouth not with there hands either ooohhh my fault i got off on a tanget so any way leave kelly alone. And rosie you.....are not even worth it don't you have some kids to F** up

I feel like I am stalking you Nat. I keep checking to see where you have been!! I sent you an email.

I wish Rosie would shut her pie hole!!! I get so sick of this, gay this gay that. WHO CARES. I dont like people touching my face or my hair, so I would of responded no matter who it was. Well unless it was Jakey G or McConaughey.... lol

I'm bouncing all over trying to avoid you, Lisa!!

Well I can still find you

It looks like a restraining order is needed here.

Oh no, YUCK, I wouldn't want Mario Lopez's hands on my mouth either Rosie!!!! I don't know where his hands have been EITHER! ::thinks back on the day before his WEDDING:: LOL It was a playful gesture, plain and simple and she just didnt get it.

First of all I hate ALL 3 of these people. Rosie I simply can't stand!!! Let me also preface by saying neither Rosie nor Clay are nice people they are both rude and their "kindness" is very FAKE! Anyways I think Kelly could of handled it better by waiting for a break or backstage and told Clay how she felt. Clay should have known better and has always been known to be a jerk so of course he probably thought he was the star. Rosie is making this an even bigger deal because that's what she does she's always in Everybody elses business! I love that Rosie outed gay Clay... Its just CLASSIC! LOL

One question:

why do they have someone sit in for Regis if Kelly is not gonna let them talk?

I dislike everyone involved here but I don't think Clay was being purposefully being disrespectful. He tried making his point ( that she wasn't letting him ask any questions ) and she ignored him. I think it was just an ill-advised attempt at humor.Although I'm not sure of the homophobia element, I'd bet her reaction would have been a lot more tempered if he were a bigger star.

I love Rosie but perhaps she should not be involved in this. It's made it into something bigger than it needed to be. No one really comes out of it looking good.

Rosie? Clay? Kelly? Whatever.

I thought it was an odd reaction by Kelly. Sure, Clay stunk up the place with his hosting non-abilities. There are two issues there: first, when Kelly was complaning about the "incident" she was using her position to hurt someone else's career; second, it it were Brad Pitt not Clay Aiken, she would have talked for days about how she kissed and caressed his hand. This is not keeping it real. This is being a biatch.

i have never heard that clay acted like a jerk. he is actually very well thought of in the autism community for his work with children on the autism spectrum (pre ai). what has he done in the past to earn a bad rep?