Billy Bush meant no harm when he bantered with producers about Kendall Jenner’s sexy Halloween costume during a taping of “Extra” on Oct. 31.
“There was no malicious intent on Bush’s part as he worked through material in the show’s normal creative process,” a source exclusively told Page Six on Friday.
Earlier in the day, the Daily Beast audio — which we’re told was unauthorized — leaked of Bush, 51, saying “Kendall goes as Jessie and, believe me, there were a lot of Woodies,” implying, that the “Toy Story” themed clothing might excite people.
Billy Bush had “no malicious intent” when he made a lewd joke about Kendall Jenner, a source told Page Six.Getty Images
A spokesman for Extra’s production company, Telepictures, previously told Page Six that the flippant comment should never be heard by the public.
“As with many forms of production in the entertainment industry, the show’s creative process allows for the flexibility to try different jokes and banter,” said a representative.
Jenner dressed up as Jessie from Toy Story for Halloween 2022. kendalljenner/Instagram
Jenner dressed up as Jessie from Toy Story for Halloween 2022. kendalljenner/Instagram
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Jenner dressed up as Jessie from Toy Story for Halloween 2022. kendalljenner/Instagram
Jenner dressed up as Jessie from Toy Story for Halloween 2022. ©Walt Disney Co./Courtesy Evere
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“In the end, some material ends up on the cutting room floor, including comments that might be too edgy to be aired on TV.”
The comment about Jenner’s costume, which blew up on Oct. 31, was a much tamer remark, in which Bush said, “It’s going to be hard to ever look at ‘Toy Story’ the same way again. Kendall saddled Jessie as a redhead cowgirl, complete with crop top, chaps and jean shorts.”
Jenner, 27, did not respond to the backlash Bush received, and her rep did not immediately respond to Page Six’s request for comment.
Jenner did not address Bush’s remark. GC Images
Bush’s quip has come under particular scrutiny because the entertainment journalist has made sensational comments about women in Hollywood in the past.
The former Access Hollywood host previously came under fire for comments he and former President Donald Trump made about soap star Arianne Zucker in 2005, which resurfaced during the 2016 US presidential campaign.
“Yeah! The Donald scored!” Bush could be heard saying on this leaked tape. “Whoa, my man. You gotta look at her… Give her a thumbs up. You gotta give her a thumbs up… Oh my god!”
Trump, 76, responded at the time that he could do anything to women in Hollywood, even “grab them by the p—y.”
Bush has worked for Extra since 2019. Getty Images
Bush apologized for his part in the conversation, saying, “Looking back at what was said on that bus, I wish I had changed the subject.”
“I wish I’d said, ‘Anybody want water?’ or ‘It looks like it’s going to rain.’ He liked television and competition. I could have said, ‘Can you believe the reviews on whatever?’ I didn’t have the strength of character to do it.”