Somwhat sad news to report – the end of an era. Regis Philbin announced his retirement this morning live, on his show with Kelly Ripa. He’s 79 years old! Kind of amazing that he’s has had such an amazing career for so long. The gossipy side of me wonders if Regis is sick? I know, that’s a bad thought to put out there, but I’ve been wondering.
Regis Philbin is getting ready to walk off into the sunset. The TV veteran, 79, is leaving Live! With Regis and Kelly this year, he announced on Tuesday’s show. “This will be my last year on the show,” the star said. “It’s been a long time. It’s been 28 years. It’s been an enormous thrill.”
Explaining that it wasn’t an easy decision to make, he added philosophically: “Everything must come to an end..especially with certain old people.”
His exact final date — or who might replace him alongside Kelly Ripa — are yet to be determined. “This is gonna happen sometime the end of the summer — we’ll have a lot of fun between now and then!”
Choking up, his cohost Ripa said, “I can only speak for America and all of us here: It has been a pleasure and a privilege and a dream come true and I wish I could do something to change your mind!”
[From Us Weekly]
I know Regis and Kelly probably get along really well in real life, but they always annoyed me as cohosts. Kelly is so rude! She’s always talking over him and interrupting him. If I was Regis, I would have given her a smack long ago. So let’s start that rumor: Regis is leaving because he’s finding it impossible to resist the urge to smack the hell out of Kelly. That’s what I heard!
Photos courtesy of WENN.
He’ll be dearly missed and it won’t ever be the same 🙁
My favorite talk show host. He will be missed.
Is the show going to go on? They did not say.
Hopefully he is healthy and happy and ready to enjoy retirement.
Awww I think they like each other. I wish him well.
Good job Regis. You look great sitting next to a woman less than half your age…unlike Hef.
I feel just the opposite. I’m always annoyed by how often Regis interrupts Kelly. She’ll be in the middle of a story and he’ll interrupt it to talk about sports. So annoying.
lets jut saw they are both annoying. while, it’s alway sad when an institution leaves i won’t be sorry to see this pair split up!
Hopefully he’ll take Gelman with him…he’s more irksome than Reejjj.
He’s been on vacation for a few days now so they’ve been having other guys co-host with Kelly and i have to say…the only combination that didn’t make me want to shoot myself was when Mark Consuleos himself was on the show. Would that be a crazy replacement?
The worst was when NPH was on–he’s hilarious but he’s actually too similar to Kelly–they kept interupting each other and were both trying so hard to be “the funny one” when they’re both known for that.
Too bad Anderson Cooper has already got a new show starting. Cause he would have been the perfect host for this show. I always enjoy when he co-host with Ripa. And they compliment each other.
Yet, I suspect Ripa’s husband wants to be the new host.
And I bet money Kathy Lee Gifford is trying to squeeze her way back onto that sound stage. 🙂
I just hope he aint sick.
There goes some very funny segments on The Soup…sads.
Why now? Why not 30 years ago?
(with credit to the Simpsons)
I absolutely love it when they Anderson Cooper cohost with Kelly. They are so funny together and I have a Cooper crush so that helps.
I really am sad though that Regis is leaving. Ever since I have been a stay at home mom(almost 4 yrs now) this show helps me break up the morning routine around here and I love it!
Jeez, I thought the news was that he died. I’m really glad that it wasn’t.
His manicured fingernails are too long. Gross.
regis is so hammy and that voice is so grating i want to pull my ears off and throw them at him. and kelly is like a yappy, tanorexic chihuahua on speed. how these two ever managed a talk show career is beyond me.
I was all teary-eyed. You could see Kelly was visibly holding back breaking down. He’s always a little forgetful. With his remark about “old,” I wonder if he was gently pushed out.
Now she can get her no-talent husband on there and bringing in some money. She has always annoyed me with her bimbo act,or maybe it’s real.
Does this mean that Mark will take over.. he has been groomed for years.
It was Regis’ show.. he can interrupt Kelly and anyone else all he wants..
Regis we are going to miss you. A man of great class.
Can’t stand her. She is so fake and strikes me as high maintenance, and she is incredibly rude.
I hope for one of two things: the show ends out of respect for Reege or she gets her hubby on and it bombs. The second would be sweet karma.
I actually don’t watch anymore because she is soooooo grating, but I can catch Reege’s schtick elsewhere.
Damn – what is Letterman going to do??? They are such good buds – Dave will lose SO many jokes 😉
I love Kelly and think she is a hoot. Sorry about Reeg, but at 79 he gave it his best.
It’s about time. Maybe this will be a hint for old worn out congressional members to do the same. It’s time for new and young blood in all realms of society. Thank you Regis for your service to humanity and knowing when to step the f_ck down!
The show won’t be the same without him. The only reason I ever watched was for Regis. Never cared for Gifford or Ripa.
They should end the show if he is leaving IMO.
Noooooo! This is sad and I don’t know why I never watch the show but I guess it’s the fact that I’ll never get the chance lol.
God I hope he isn’t sick. I hope he just got offered to do his own show or something.
How will Joel McHale take these news? He’ll have to comfort himself against Mankini’s hairy bosom.
I read that they were gonna pay Regis less money with his new contract since he apparently takes more vacations than he used to, so he decided to quit.
I’m so sad Regis is leaving, I personally don’t want Regis to be replaced by limp-wristed men. Mark Consuelos is the perfect choice. He works well with Kelly, and he’s a real man, like Regis.