CNBC's Jim Cramer appeared yesterday morning on the Today show, and issued a stern warning to sell stocks.

His comments caused an uproar, with one columnist today wondering if he should "keep his job," and another saying the comment proves investors should "bet against Cramer."

Cramer was back on the Today show this morning in an interview with Meredith Vieira, and clarified his stance.

"I'm an innate optimist, and anyone who's watched me over 28 years of talking and trading in the market knows that I believe fundamentally that the stock market's a good place," he said. "But if you're going to buy a house or put your kid through college, or need a car or health — maybe for senior citizen retirement — why should you risk over the next five years being in this stock market?"

Vieira took the opportunity to read viewer mail sent in the 24 hours after Cramer's initial comment, which included "He did something today that was almost like yelling 'Fire!' in a crowded building," and "My new name for him in Chicken Little."

Below, an appearance by Cramer on last night's Late Night with Conan O'Brien, that makes light of his Today show appearance, and after the jump, today's Today clip and a bonus clip:



Click continued to see the clip from the Today show this morning and a bonus clip — Cramer on The Colbert Report last night...