Kathie Lee Gifford Responds Gracefully to Bachelor Nation's Joey Graziadei's Lack of Recognition

Kathie Lee Gifford Isnt Mad That Joey Graziadei Doesnt Know Who She Is

Kathie Lee Gifford, Joey Graziadei Terry Wyatt/Getty Images; Disney/Stephanie Augello

Kathie Lee Gifford expressed that she is not offended by The Bachelor star Joey Graziadei's lack of familiarity with her work. In a statement made via X on Wednesday, February 28, the 70-year-old Gifford mentioned that she does not expect Graziadei to know her, stating that she has shoes that are older than him. She shared this sentiment along with a clip from Graziadei's recent appearance on Live With Kelly and Mark.

Graziadei, 28, was asked by cohost Kelly Ripa in the video about speculation surrounding Kathie Lee Gifford potentially becoming the first Golden Bachelorette, following Gerry Turner's Golden Bachelor spinoff last year.

His response was met with a mix of reactions from the audience - laughter, boos, and cries of shock - as he honestly admitted, "I have no idea who Kathie Lee Gifford is."

“I’m only 28, I’m sorry!” he said in his own defense.

“He’s 28 years old, calm down,” Ripa, 53, echoed.

Gifford hosted the morning talk show Live With Regis and Kathie Lee alongside Mark Consuelos from 1985 to 2000. She later cohosted Today With Kathie Lee & Hoda from 2008 to 2019.

During a recent episode of Today With Hoda & Jenna, Gifford's former coanchor Hoda Kotb expressed interest in possibly becoming a Golden Bachelorette star.

Kotb, 59, and cohost Jenna Bush Hager were discussing potential contestants for the Golden Bachelor when guest Justin Sylvester suggested some alums.

After considering the options, Kotb confidently stated, “We’ve already figured it out,” before both hosts simultaneously mentioned Gifford's name.

Describing Gifford as a perfect candidate, Kotb praised her, saying, “She would be a 10 plus and she’d get her choice of all the men. You know how she is, all flirty and cute … She’d be fantastic.”

Hager, 42, highlighted that their casting opinion is not yet confirmed, while Kotb expressed her belief that speaking positively could make it a reality. Kotb mentioned that they believe Kathie Lee would excel in the role.

Gifford potentially joining Bachelor Nation remains a distant possibility at this point. On the other hand, Graziadei recently became the newest Bachelor after finishing as the runner-up on Charity Lawson's season of The Bachelorette last year.

Graziadei will visit the remaining women’s hometowns with the four contestants left on his season — Daisy Kent, Kelsey Anderson, Maria Georgas and Rachel Nance — during the Monday, March 4, episode.

Before filming the hometown episode, Graziadei shared his feelings during a Thursday, February 29, appearance on the “Bachelor Happy Hour” podcast.

Heading into hometowns, I was around 70/30 or 80/20 percent confident that things would work out. Although the relationships were progressing, there was still no declaration of love or discussion about real feelings and a future. The uncertainty of whether things would continue to progress lingered in my mind.

Graziadei emphasized that he refrained from making quick judgments if he sensed something was amiss with a contestant's family members.

"There are numerous dynamics and factors that could influence the success of the situation," he expressed. "In the event of encountering resistance from a family member, my inclination would be to inquire and delve deeper into the reasons behind it. I believe it is crucial to comprehend the situation rather than simply conforming to their emotions."

"The Bachelor is broadcasted on ABC every Monday at 8 p.m. ET."

Editor's P/S:

The article highlights the humorous exchange between Kathie Lee Gifford and Joey Graziadei regarding his lack of familiarity with her work. Gifford's graceful response and Graziadei's youthful ignorance create a lighthearted moment. The situation underscores the generational gap and the evolving entertainment landscape, where younger audiences may not be as familiar with established figures from the past.

This incident also raises questions about the fading relevance of veteran entertainers and the challenges they face in staying connected with younger generations. It's a reminder that the entertainment industry is constantly evolving, and it can be difficult for those who paved the way to maintain the same level of recognition as they age. However, Gifford's positive attitude and her continued engagement with her audience demonstrate that experience and grace can transcend generational differences.