# Kelly Ripa of "Regis & Kelly" Fame. Good Lord, Is She an Airhead! **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [May 27, 2005, 1:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kelly-ripa-of-regis-kelly-fame-good-lord-is-she-an-airhead/305748 "2005-05-27T13:07:40Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Carnac\_the\_Magnificent](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ccd318/32.png) [@Carnac\_the\_Magnificent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Carnac_the_Magnificent)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2005, 1:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kelly-ripa-of-regis-kelly-fame-good-lord-is-she-an-airhead/305748/1 "2005-05-27T13:07:40Z")
Okay, my meds haven’t kicked in, my Memorial Day plans just fell through, so let me rant. Kathy Lee drove me nuts with her narcissistic self-absorption, feigned hyena laugh, casual name-dropping of her 50,000 “good [rich] friends,” and incessant news flashes re: unctuous kids Cody and Cassidy, but Kelly Ripa has pushed me to the brink and beyond. The woman is the quintessential dimwit, airhead, Valley girl, blank slate and phony wrapped into a 5 foot 3 inch, 105-pound anorexicized, plasticized, cosmeticized shell. She makes Kathy Lee look like Voltaire, I kid you not. Yes, I know this is entertainment television–and Regis ain’t exactly Henry Kissinger–but Ripa comes across as So Damn Stupid that she should be criminalized. Rant with me. ---
**Author:** ![ShibbOleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/848f3c/32.png) [@ShibbOleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShibbOleth)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2005, 1:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kelly-ripa-of-regis-kelly-fame-good-lord-is-she-an-airhead/305748/2 "2005-05-27T13:24:07Z")
I couldn’t pick her out of a line up\*. Why do you watch this stuff? \*Might make for an interesting game for those of us who don’t much follow the cult of celebrity: pornstar or daytime talk show host/big market news anchor? with headshots only. Bet I couldn’t tell. ---
**Author:** ![Improv\_Geek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/b3f665/32.png) [@Improv\_Geek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Improv_Geek)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2005, 1:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kelly-ripa-of-regis-kelly-fame-good-lord-is-she-an-airhead/305748/3 "2005-05-27T13:28:41Z")
Airhead? Yes. Hottie? Yes. I watch the show on mute 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Odinoneeye](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/97f17d/32.png) [@Odinoneeye](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Odinoneeye)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2005, 1:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kelly-ripa-of-regis-kelly-fame-good-lord-is-she-an-airhead/305748/4 "2005-05-27T13:31:15Z")
While I don’t watch Regis & Kelly or her sitcom (Hope and Faith I think), she did host a good episode of SNL once. ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2005, 1:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kelly-ripa-of-regis-kelly-fame-good-lord-is-she-an-airhead/305748/5 "2005-05-27T13:52:32Z")
> [@ShibbOleth](#): > > \*Might make for an interesting game for those of us who don’t much follow the cult of celebrity: pornstar or daytime talk show host/big market news anchor? with headshots only. Bet I couldn’t tell. I’m reminded of the quote attributed to Winston Churchill; he asked a woman if she would sleep with him for a million pounds, she said yes. Would she do it fo a hundred pounds? “Of course not! What do you think I am?” “We’ve already established that, madam, we are now merely negotiating about the price.” ---
**Author:** ![Genghis\_Bob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/45deac/32.png) [@Genghis\_Bob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Genghis_Bob)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2005, 2:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kelly-ripa-of-regis-kelly-fame-good-lord-is-she-an-airhead/305748/6 "2005-05-27T14:05:50Z")
> [@Odinoneeye](#): > > While I don’t watch Regis & Kelly or her sitcom (Hope and Faith I think), she did host a good episode of SNL once. Her faux commercial for the shampoo with cocaine was an instant classic. ---
**Author:** ![La\_Llorona](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e47c2d/32.png) [@La\_Llorona](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/La_Llorona)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2005, 2:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kelly-ripa-of-regis-kelly-fame-good-lord-is-she-an-airhead/305748/7 "2005-05-27T14:10:02Z")
Truer words were never spoken. I don’t normally watch their show, but I was in the doctor’s waiting room a few weeks ago after the whole Jennifer Wilbanks scandal, and our friend Kelly was dispensing wisdom: “I really can’t understand why anyone would _do_ that! If you don’t want to get married, why don’t you just tell your fiance!” Um, maybe because some people have troubles, and it might be presumed that someone who thinks that is a viable alternative is indeed a bit troubled! I’m not saying it’s right to call the police under false pretenses, but good God, can’t you have any compassion for someone who might have fairly serious problems! Note: this is a VERY rough paraphrase and probably completely unfair to Kelly Ripa. However, I don’t particularly care. ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2005, 2:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kelly-ripa-of-regis-kelly-fame-good-lord-is-she-an-airhead/305748/8 "2005-05-27T14:10:37Z")
Saw her on Letterman the other night. She very adroitly parried all his little jabs at Regis. Her personality may be a little over the top, but she ain’t an airhead. ---
**Author:** ![hawkeyejo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e19b73/32.png) [@hawkeyejo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hawkeyejo)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2005, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kelly-ripa-of-regis-kelly-fame-good-lord-is-she-an-airhead/305748/9 "2005-05-27T14:39:14Z")
Anorexic? I think not. Nice and curvy buxom blonde. Okay, maybe not buxom, but pretty hot anyway. And if you feel an upsurge of hatred for her because she seems an airhead, just compare her to Paris Hilton and you’ll have a whole new level of respect for her. It worked with me for Jessica Simpson. Well, almost worked, coz she really does run Ms Hilton close inthe dumb bimbo category. Kelly Ripa is not even close. ---
**Author:** ![Wile\_E](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c37758/32.png) [@Wile\_E](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wile_E)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2005, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kelly-ripa-of-regis-kelly-fame-good-lord-is-she-an-airhead/305748/10 "2005-05-27T14:47:07Z")
I don’t really care about her one way or the other but if she ever complains about being too busy for quailty time with her kids, she deserves a major bitch slapping. Most people would be perfectly happy and satisfied with a job that pays 8 million a year and they are free in the afternoons, but she had to seek out a second job and numerous other committments. It’s not like you can’t provide well for your kids and set them up for life on 8 mil a year. I would have absolutely no sympathy for her if the pace of her life gets to be too much for her. Also, the making a big deal about her weight is not making for a good role model for potentially anorexic young girls. ---
**Author:** ![Shayna](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shayna/32/17976_2.png) [@Shayna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shayna)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2005, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kelly-ripa-of-regis-kelly-fame-good-lord-is-she-an-airhead/305748/11 "2005-05-27T16:12:45Z")
I don’t watch either of her shows regularly, though I’ve seen a couple of episodes of each, over the years, so I’m sure people who see her more regularly are able to form a more informed impression, but what I do see of her I think is absolutely adorable. If you want a good laugh at her expense, [go here](http://www.doubletalk.com/videoHome.php3) and click your preferred viewing method for the Dick Clark Bloopers Show #7. The looks on her face are priceless. She is certainly the consumate professional. ---
**Author:** ![SpoilerVirgin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/4491bb/32.png) [@SpoilerVirgin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SpoilerVirgin)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2005, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kelly-ripa-of-regis-kelly-fame-good-lord-is-she-an-airhead/305748/12 "2005-05-27T16:18:37Z")
I have to go with “not an airhead” here. Kelly Ripa is not particularly well-informed about world events, but she is not stupid. One of the reasons she got the job was because of her very successful appearances on David Letterman, where she was able to hold her own and speak in a way that contrasted with her soap opera star persona. She had a similar effect when she appeared on Regis’s show prior to becoming the co-host. I don’t watch Regis and Kelly, because I find those types of celebrity pimping daytime talk shows annoying, but from what I’ve seen of Kelly, she is definitely not stupid. ---
**Author:** ![glee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b5a626/32.png) [@glee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glee)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2005, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kelly-ripa-of-regis-kelly-fame-good-lord-is-she-an-airhead/305748/13 "2005-05-27T16:25:27Z")
Ah, it’s good to have a reasoned discussion and not just be shallow. Now, where are the pictures of Kelly? 🙂 How hot is she? 😃 ---
**Author:** ![La\_Llorona](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e47c2d/32.png) [@La\_Llorona](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/La_Llorona)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2005, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kelly-ripa-of-regis-kelly-fame-good-lord-is-she-an-airhead/305748/14 "2005-05-27T16:30:22Z")
> [@glee](#): > > Now, where are the pictures of Kelly? 🙂 > How hot is she? 😃 [Ask, and thou shalt receive.](http://123forever.com/kelly%20ripa.jpg) Ah, the joys of Google image search… ---
**Author:** ![marymargaret](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba9def/32.png) [@marymargaret](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/marymargaret)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2005, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kelly-ripa-of-regis-kelly-fame-good-lord-is-she-an-airhead/305748/15 "2005-05-27T16:38:26Z")
I believe it is part of her TV persona, and she seems to be in on the joke. I think she is adorable. ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2005, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kelly-ripa-of-regis-kelly-fame-good-lord-is-she-an-airhead/305748/16 "2005-05-27T16:46:57Z")
The only thing I’ve ever actually watched her on is her SNL appearance(s—wasn’t she in one of those fake Vegas commercials?), but based on that, I have a favorable opinion of her. Neither her sitcom nor her show with Regis ever struck me as the kind of thing I’d want to watch, so I’ve never seen them and can’t comment. Airhead? Could be, but she didn’t particularly give me that impression when I have seen her. Hottie? Yes, definitely. I wouldn’t mind being stranded on a desert island with her—I’d certainly pick her over any of the (other?) blonde bimbos currently infesting pop culture (Paris, Jessica, Britney, Pamela…) ---
**Author:** ![Shirley\_Ujest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shirley\_Ujest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shirley_Ujest)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2005, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kelly-ripa-of-regis-kelly-fame-good-lord-is-she-an-airhead/305748/17 "2005-05-27T17:35:10Z")
Morning Television? what is this? ---
**Author:** ![I\_don\_t\_care\_about\_your\_cat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/f08c70/32.png) [@I\_don\_t\_care\_about\_your\_cat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/I_don_t_care_about_your_cat)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2005, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kelly-ripa-of-regis-kelly-fame-good-lord-is-she-an-airhead/305748/18 "2005-05-27T17:35:48Z")
I saw that show for the first time last week in the car dealer waiting room. She’s a good-looking woman. I didn’t really notice what she was saying; I was just thinking how I’d like to do stuff to her. ---
**Author:** ![DiosaBellissima](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a8b319/32.png) [@DiosaBellissima](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DiosaBellissima)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2005, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kelly-ripa-of-regis-kelly-fame-good-lord-is-she-an-airhead/305748/19 "2005-05-27T19:17:11Z")
I think it is important to remember there is a distinction between stupid and ditzy. Do I think she is stupid? Na. Is she ditzy? Yeah, but many of us are. **hawkeyejo** [This](http://img152.exs.cx/img152/6227/ripa4hh.jpg) is a “nice and curvy buxom blonde”? Look at her chest for crying out loud. Maybe she _used_ to be a nice and curvy buxom blonde, but not so much anymore. ---
**Author:** ![Murcielago](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/da6949/32.png) [@Murcielago](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Murcielago)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2005, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kelly-ripa-of-regis-kelly-fame-good-lord-is-she-an-airhead/305748/20 "2005-05-27T20:00:19Z")
I’ve also only seen her on Letterman. A bit bubbly for my taste, but she struck me as rather quick with a good sense of humor about her persona on-air. I don’t think she is “too thin,” she looks healty to me. On the other hand, I think [Lindsay Lohan](http://www.deansplanet.com/lindsay_lohan-black_bikini.html) now looks sickly. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kelly-ripa-of-regis-kelly-fame-good-lord-is-she-an-airhead/305748.md?page=2)