With my day tied up with covering the American Music Awards yesterday, I didn't get to weigh in on this whole silly controversy that has erupted between Kelly Ripa and Clay Aiken and now Rosie O'Donnell. It all began wikth Clay, filling in for Regis Philbin, rudely put his hand over Kelly's mouth during an interview with " Dancing with the Stars" winners Emmitt Smith.
A clearly ticked-off Ripa looked at Clay and said, "That's a 'No, No'. I don't know where that hand's been, honey."

I took it as just a little tiff but Rosie O'Donnell, God bless her, has turned it into a national incident, accusing Ripa of making a homophobic remark. Now, we don't know if Clay is "officially' gay or not and I personally don't much care anyway, but Rosie felt compelled to basically out him with her concerns over Ripa's comment. If Clay ain't gay, then why would the remark be at all homophobic?

Kelly called Rosie on live TV a few moments later Ro's remarks to defend herself saying it's FLU SEASON and that's why she made the remark. "He's shaking hands with everyone in the audience ... It's cold and flu season, that's what I meant, and to imply that it's anything homophobic is outrageous, Rosie, and you know better."

O'Donnell shot back that she's not convinced the remark had anything to do with cold season. She went on to say that hosting a live talk show is difficult for anyone who isn't used to doing a live show. "I feel for the kid," she said. "He's in a very difficult space."

Clay, not missing a beat, appeared on Tuesday night's AMA's with Tori Spelling spoofing the incident so it looks like Rosie was more bothered about it than him. While Clay jabbered on, Tori clapped her hand over Aiken's mouth, saying, "I'll tell you where that hand's been later."

Now let's make a pact that this whole stupid thing goes away. Ripa is a doll, Rosie rocks and Clay, well, I don't know what Clay is. On Wednesday's edition of "The View," Barbara Walters tried to put the entire thing to rest: Walters said Ripa and ODonnell spoke again off the air Tuesday and everybody was happy! (Walters had Tuesday off.) O'Donnell later in the show said she spoke with Aiken and was apparently satisfied no homophobia on Ripa's part.

So that's that!