AMERICAN IDOL - AIKEN ANGERS REGIS AND KELLY CO-HOST

AIKEN ANGERS REGIS AND KELLY CO-HOST

AMERICAN IDOL finalist CLAY AIKEN angered KELLY RIPA while co-hosting LIVE WITH REGIS AND KELLY on Friday (17NOV06) when he covered her mouth with his hands to stop her from speaking. Problems began after a video clip was shown of Ripa impersonating Aiken on Hallowe'en (31OCT) several years ago. According to entertainment news website TMZ.com, Ripa claims Aiken became hostile towards her and insists he wasn't "respectful in any way". Tensions remained high throughout the taping of the show, culminating with Aiken putting his hands over her mouth to try and keep her from talking while interviewing DANCING WITH THE STARS winners CHERYL BURKE and EMMITT SMITH. Ripa slammed Aiken at the time saying, "Oh, that's a no-no.... I don't know where your hands have been!" Ripa's co-host REGIS PHILBIN was shocked by the controversy adding, "In my wildest dreams would I ever think that one day you would have a feud with Clay Aiken!"