Howie Mandel Reacts to Backlash Over Sofia Vergara Single Status Joke (Exclusive)

Howie Mandel is defending his joke aimed at Sofia Vergara. ET's Denny Directo spoke with the judge the day after the first live show of the season, and Mandel doubled down on making a joke about his co-worker's single status.«I was helping Sofia!» Mandel insisted to ET, before lamenting that «people were killing him» online for his lighthearted quip.It all started when Brynn Cummings, a ventriloquist and magician, performed an act aimed at finding an eligible bachelor. The performer enlisted judge Heidi Klum to help with the trick, but Mandel took issue with that, given that the model has been married to Tom Kaulitz since 2019.«If I have one word of advice, if you're looking for eligible bachelors, you should've talked to Sofia because she's in the market right now,» Mandel quipped on air, alluding to Vergara's July split from Joe Manganiello.«I just thought, 'Oh my god.

Using Heidi to find an eligible bachelor? Hello! Who's right here? Sofia is on the market, ready and eager!'» Mandel told ET. «And then online people said it was too soon and it was tasteless.»«It's not too soon! It's too soon when she's still married. Last season was too soon.

Even if she saw it coming. I don't think she did. I'm just saying, that was too soon,» he added.

«As soon as she's free, as soon as they live in separate homes, the door is open, people!»For her part, Vegara appeared to take the joke well, exclaiming «Yes!» as she threw her hands up in the air.«She came over and she thought it was funny. She [said it was] good [and said] how much she wants that,» Mandel said. «The only reason I'm doing press today is I'm just doubling down on it.

I'm her Bumble. She approved of the joke. She thought it was funny.