Regis is gonna stay in the hot seat a little bit longer than anticipated, and he didn’t even have to phone a friend!
Talk show host Regis Philbin has decided to postpone his retirement from Live with Regis and Kelly until this November. That’s an extra three months added onto his contract to ensure he gets an adequate goodbye – and presumably an acceptable replacement!
It looks like the network is really combing the deepest depths of Hollywood to find his successor to no avail. One source says:
“Mr. Davis says WABC has not yet addressed the question of who will replace the 79-year-old Mr. Philbin, aside from asking the host to stay on through November. His replacement will be essential: Regis and Kelly.”
There’s been some very quiet buzz around the rumor mill that hot hottie Josh Duhamel could take on the 79-year-old’s role, but absolutely nothing has been confirmed.
Josh would be a good choice, but we’ll miss Regis’ obnoxious reminds-you-of-your-doddery-grandfather type questions. Maybe they should ask the audience or go for the 50:50!
TMZ reports that Kelly Ripa found out only 15 minutes before air that Regis Philbin was retiring. Although she was shocked, she was nevertheless supportive of the decision.
TMZ says that Regis kept the news a secret as he was afraid of leaks prior to the official annoucement.
So the question remains, who is going to replace Regis?
Regis Philbin will return as host of “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire” once the game show returns to celebrate its 10th anniversary in prime-time format.
The 77-year-old has received many Daytime Emmy nominations for “Live With Regis and Kelly,” and won in 2001 for “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire.”
Throughout the years, Philbin has been nominated for a multitude of other awards including two People’s Choice Awards, a TV Guide Award (which he later won) and even a Teen Choice Award nomination in 2000.
Nick Lachey used an appearance on Live with Regis and Kelly to once again shoot down rumours that his marriage is on the rocks.
The pop singer was acting as a guest host on the morning talk show while Regis Philbin was away.
“There’s so much negativity that is out there and a lot of it’s based on absolutely nothing true,” Lachey told Kelly Ripa on Wednesday morning. “So you just have to let it roll off. We’re shocked that people are still on this same rumour. We’ve been divorced for six months now, apparently. It’s like it just keeps going on and on and on.”
“I would absolutely, positively, like to set the record straight,” Lachey continued. “Everything is absolutely wonderful in marriage and life and love. They insist on going back to the same old thing about I’m jealous of her career. I love my wife to death and I support the heck out of her, as any husband would.”
Meanwhile, Cindy Adams reported in the New York Post this week that divorce papers have been drawn up and signed by both Lachey and Simpson and that assets have been divided.
“Ongoing affectionate togetherness shots, repeated protestations of mutual love, muzzling this story is all because they won’t harm their TV show,” says Adams.
