Kelly Ripa created a firestorm after criticizing fellow ABC shows "The Bachelor" and "The Bachelorette."
Bachelorette Hannah Brown appeared on Kelly Ripa's show to set the record straight about the ABC series.
Ripa created a firestorm after criticizing fellow ABC shows "The Bachelor" and "The Bachelorette" on Tuesday's episode of "Live With Kelly and Ryan."
"Guys, you know how I feel about this show. It disgusts me," Ripa said. “And I thought that I was disgusted because 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.”
Mike Fleiss, creator of the show, took to Twitter to defend it. "Easy, @KellyRipa … #TheBachelor franchise pays your salary!" he wrote.
Host Chris Harrison also weighed in. "Look out #BachelorNation @KellyRipa is coming after you and your 'disgusting' Monday night habit."
Ellen Pompeo, of "Grey's Anatomy," also an ABC show, then hit back at Fleiss.
“Okay @fleissmeister… that’s some handle bro! Your show does NOT pay @KellyRipa salary. Also we don’t attack successful 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…. #bachelorsoooowhite.”
Ripa made light of the situation Thursday as Brown appeared on her show.
"You seem like a lovely girl," Ripa said. "You blink twice, I will get you out of here."
"Being a part of the show is not women fighting against each other, really," Brown said. "Some of my best friends came from the show."
Speaking to Inside Edition afterward, Brown said she welcomed the opportunity to defend the show.
"I was really excited to talk about my experience and how it has been such a blessing for me."
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