Kelly Ripa isn’t backing down on her expression of disdain for ABC's hit reality shows "The Bachelorette" and "The Bachelor," and the host and creator made the big mistake of taking her on.
They’re locked in a very public feud with unnamed network staffers backing Kelly over show creator Mike Fleiss and host Chris Harrison, according to Uproxx.
For those who missed it, tensions began to mount after Ripa shared exactly what she thought of "The Bachelorette" during an animated conversation with "Live with Kelly and Ryan" co-host Ryan Seacrest on Tuesday morning.
"You guys know how I feel about the show … it disgusts me," she said upon hearing that the current bachelorette, Hannah Brown, would be making an appearance, according to Page Six.
She then took a swipe at "The Bachelor," which she insisted was a "gross" and "creepy" show.
"I couldn’t stand the idea of 25 exceptional women fighting over one ordinary fella, in my opinion... You know how I feel, ladies; we are too special to be arguing over a guy," she said, according to US Weekly.
Her comments soon drew criticism from Harrison and Mike Fleiss.
"Look out #BachelorNation @KellyRipa is coming after you and your 'disgusting' Monday night habit," Harrison tweeted while Fleiss chimed in ""Easy, @KellyRipa … #TheBachelor franchise pays your salary!"
An unnamed source closely linked to the "Live with Kelly and Ryan" show told People that Ripa hit Fleiss and Harrison where it hurts.
"It seems the fear of rejection runs deep over there," the insider said. "Do these guys really want to bring attention to the fact that people should stop and look more closely at the completely outdated misogynistic nature of this show and its offensive premise of demeaning its participants?"
The source added that it appeared as if the two men could not handle "lighthearted criticism from a successful woman who has been on TV longer than their contestants have been alive."
Meanwhile, the Daily Mail quoted an unnamed source who pointed out the irony of the situation.
"It’s ironic. Chris [Harrison] co-hosted the show, so 'Live' actually did pay his salary."
Another one of ABC’s top stars quickly rushed to Kelly’s defense and ripped Fleiss.
Ellen Pompeo, star of "Grey’s Anatomy," flattened Fleiss on Twitter.
“Your show does NOT pay Kelly Ripa’s salary,” she tweeted. “Also we don’t attack succesfful women on our network and men certainly cannot take credit for their success. Don’t get me started on your show cuz I’m a savage.”
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