Well, I wasn’t going to post about this because generally my rule is “If you don’t have something nice to say…”, but here goes:
I watched the first ten minutes of Clay’s co-hosting gig on “Live with Regis and Kelly” Friday morning. I don’t watch the show, but Clay was on and his interviews are always entertaining, so I tuned in. The first few minutes were fine - they did the Halloween thing, Clay reacted like anyone would who had been lampooned - no problem there. But he wouldn’t let it go! I couldn’t believe how rude Clay was to Kelly - honestly, I felt like the real Clay had been kidnapped and this was some snarky, immature, NOT funny impersonator. Clay has quite a quick wit and comes up with some great zingers, but there’s a time, a place, and a LIMIT! Sometimes, If you if you just keep the zingers coming for no reason, you move into “just plain rude” territory and in my opinion, Clay crossed the line. I started to become very uncomfortable with the whole thing and embarrassed for Clay, so I just said “Enough!” and turned it off.Â
Good thing I did as it appears the confrontation continued…all the way up to today’s show. Why, oh why did Kelly have to bring it up? If she had a beef with Clay, she should have taken it up with him IN PRIVATE, not on national television when Clay wasn’t there to defend himself or apologize. I didn’t disagree with her - he was disrespectful and hostile (although not overly) - but talking about it this morning was also disrespectful and hostile (although not overly) and very unprofessional.
And what about the Claymates? Clay made the reference (to Kelly) “They’re going to mob you” and Kelly said she’s been wearing a bulletproof vest since the Halloween parody. As a Clay fan, I didn’t appreciate the comments from either of them. I’ve been on the Clay boards today and the vast, vast majority of the fans on those boards are advocating NOT sending hate mail and NOT behaving like lunatics. A few (a very few) even agreed that Clay putting his hand over Kelly’s mouth was not a good move. Yes, Claymates are dedicated and yes, they see him through rose-colored glasses (as all fan bases view their celebrity) and yes, they are the most vocal and organized of the bunch, but to continue this image of “unstable housewives” isn’t fair and it can’t be helping Clay’s career. Why didn’t Clay say, “Oh, come on? A bullet proof vest? My fans are devoted but they are the sweetest people ever - they would never hurt anyone.” Why wouldn’t he defend his fans? What does he know that I don’t? Am I giving the ‘Mates too much credit?  Do the “fringe loonies” really outnumber the casual to simply rabid fans?  If they do, that’s really too bad…
Not that I expect it to, but hopefully this will all blow over in the next few days. Clay certainly doesn’t need more bad press and Kelly shouldn’t have to fear for her life because she overreacted. I think maybe a fun and fabulous interview on Wednesday’s Tyra Banks Show is just what the doctor ordered…
Please feel free to agree or disagree, but please keep your comments civil and respectful or they will be deleted. Thank you.
November 27th, 2006 at 11:11 pm
You know the comment I left was legit. Why is it you always remove them? You get few enough as it is.
So now remove this one as well.
November 28th, 2006 at 11:05 am
Diane:
“Please feel free to agree or disagree…”…you did neither. A respectful comment would have read: “I did not agree with your article - I felt you were overly harsh on Clay and I think Kelly was 100% in the wrong. Doesn’t matter now, Clay has come out of this smelling like a rose and Kelly has been exposed for the diva she is. You were wrong…” Instead, you posted an irrelevant and disrespectful “neener, neener, neener - stupid writer!” comment which was deleted.
November 28th, 2006 at 5:33 pm
In your opionion but not mine but I see on this sight that you are not allowed to have one so I will not be back.
Since I seem to be one of the few people that posted here have a nice day.