Regis is ready for last day on "Live!’ set

NEW YORK — Regis Philbin says fans have told him he makes them happy every morning.

“I’m glad I did that,” he says, “‘cause it made me happy.”

But his decades of regular visits with viewers end after Friday, when he steps down from the New York-based show he has co-hosted for 28 years.

“I feel pretty good,” he told reporters after Thursday’s edition of “Live! With Regis and Kelly.” But he noted that he may not feel that good next week.

“I wasn’t looking forward to this moment,” said Philbin, who announced his decision to leave the syndicated show and try new things last January. “You never are in your life when you’re leaving a success that you worked your tail off to make.”

After Friday’s sign-off, the 80-year-old Philbin will embark on a book tour for his new memoir, “How I Got This Way.”

That’s fortunate, he said. It’ll take his mind off how he might be feeling Monday when “Live! With Kelly” goes on the air without him.

His book tour will have taken him to Miami then.

“I’ll probably watch the show from my hotel room,” he said, “and I’ll feel, `Omigod, it’s so far away.’ Maybe it’ll be better that I’m watching it from down there.”

Jerry Seinfeld will join Kelly Ripa on Monday as the first of a series of guest co-hosts.

A permanent replacement will be named later.

Joining Philbin in the studio for the press conference, Ripa said her new partner would necessarily have a different style and forge a different dynamic with her than she has enjoyed with Reege since joining “Live!” in 2001.

“Will we be able to recreate the Regis magic? No, of course not,” she said. “Only Regis has that.”

She recalled that she had watched the show faithfully back when her predecessor, Kathie Lee Gifford, was teamed with Philbin.

“I’m the fan who got the job!” Ripa said wistfully. “I cry a little bit every day. He’s meant so much to me and to everybody.”

But now, does she look forward to solo billing as the show is temporarily retitled “Live! With Kelly”?

Ripa scoffed at that question.

“In our house,” she replied, “we still call it `Live! With Regis and Kathie Lee.”’

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Customers enter and exit the Costco on Dec. 2, 2022, in Lake Stevens. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Costco stores could be impacted by looming truck driver strike threat

Truck drivers who deliver groceries and produce to Costco warehouses… Continue reading

Two Washington State ferries pass along the route between Mukilteo and Clinton as scuba divers swim near the shore Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Ferry system increases ridership by a half million in 2024

Edmonds-Kingston route remains second-busiest route in the system.

Firefighters respond to a 911 call on July 16, 2024, in Mill Creek. Firefighters from South County Fire, Tulalip Bay Fire Department and Camano Island Fire and Rescue left Wednesday to help fight the LA fires. (Photo provided by South County Fire)
Help is on the way: Snohomish County firefighters en route to LA fires

The Los Angeles wildfires have caused at least 180,000 evacuations. The crews expect to arrive Friday.

x
Edmonds police shooting investigation includes possibility of gang violence

The 18-year-old victim remains in critical condition as of Friday morning.

The Everett Wastewater Treatment Plant along the Snohomish River. Thursday, June 16, 2022 in Everett. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett council approves water, sewer rate increases

The 43% rise in combined water and sewer rates will pay for large infrastructure projects.

Robin Cain with 50 of her marathon medals hanging on a display board she made with her father on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Running a marathon is hard. She ran one in every state.

Robin Cain, of Lake Stevens, is one of only a few thousand people to ever achieve the feat.

People line up to grab food at the Everett Recovery Cafe on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Coffee, meals and compassion are free at the Everett Recovery Cafe

The free, membership-based day center offers free coffee and meals and more importantly, camaraderie and recovery support.

Devani Padron, left, Daisy Ramos perform during dance class at Mari's Place Monday afternoon in Everett on July 13, 2016. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Mari’s Place helps children build confidence and design a better future

The Everett-based nonprofit offers free and low-cost classes in art, music, theater and dance for children ages 5 to 14.

The Everett Wastewater Treatment Plant along the Snohomish River on Thursday, June 16, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett water, sewer rates could jump 43% by 2028

The rate hikes would pay for improvements to the city’s sewer infrastructure.

The bond funded new track and field at Northshore Middle School on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024 in Bothell, Washington. (Courtesy of Northshore School District)
Northshore School District bond improvements underway

The $425 million bond is funding new track and field complexes, playgrounds and phase one of two school replacements.

The Everett Municipal Building on Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Everett council approves $111 million construction of sewer project

The Port Gardner Storage Facility, in the works for more than a decade, will help prevent overflows of the city sewer system.

Two students walk along a path through campus Thursday, Aug. 4, 2022, at Everett Community College in Everett, Washington. A group of nearly 20 community groups are planning to study how to make it easier for young people to find jobs. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Goal for Everett coalition: Make it easier for young people to find jobs

The organizations hope the months-long process will improve access to resources for young people.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.