Ideally, for graphic design and stationary purposes, it should be another dude named Regis, but since I can’t think of another famous Regis, I doubt the transition will be so seamless. Today, after 28 years hosting Live, first with Kathie Lee Gifford and then with Kelly Ripa, Regis Philbin has announced his retirement from television.
Fans of the show have seen this coming. Philbin, who turns 80 in August, has been cutting back on his hosting duties the last few years, leaving Ripa to share hosting duties with a string of guest hosts. Now that Philbin has officially announced that this year will be his last, the big question is, which of the temporary hosts will replace him?
It almost has to be someone we’ve already seen. While Ripa was part of a specific audition process when she joined 10 years ago, the past two or three years of Live has just seemed like a casual, ongoing audition for a variety of male entertainers — many of whom have made multiple appearances.
That’s not to say everyone with whom Ripa has bantered is necessarily in the running. George Lopez has appeared several times, but his late night show means that he’s probably a bit too busy to wake up so early. Likewise, Randy Jackson is probably too busy with Idol to take over the job full-time.
The natural fit for Regis’s replacement would be Anderson Cooper. He’s a natural at the job, and he and Ripa have the best chemistry of any duo I have ever seen on TV. Their show is silly and fun, and having him there full-time would be the greatest thing that ever happened to the show. Unfortunately, Cooper is set to start his own syndicated daytime talk show in the fall. So if not Anderson, then who?
Jeff Probst, host of Survivor, is another great fill-in, plus Survivor‘s condensed production schedule should allow for him to be free most of the time. However, the 30 days that he’s in some godforsaken jungle would certainly throw a wrench in the daily morning show’s schedule.
Affable former teen idols Mario Lopez and Nick Lachay have also made appearances, but does Live need someone with more gravitas to counteract the flightiness of Kelly Ripa?
Aw, hell. All I can think about is what we’re missing out on by Anderson Cooper not replacing Regis Philbin. So ruminate with me and enjoy one of my favorite clips of Anderson co-hosting, in which he talks about how awful the Lohans are and giggles uncomfortably when Kelly starts talking about her lack of boobs.
Who could the show get that would be better than this?
Clacked by Kona Gallagher 
on Jan 18, 2011 @ 16:16 EST5EDT
I kind of like Mark Consuelos (but they probably wouldn’t do that) and Pat Sajak as choices too.
I think Sajak enjoys his taping 4 months of shows in 3 weeks schedule too much to give that up for the morning grind. I hear Harry Smith is available.
The show should just get canceled and problem solved.
. . . . .
Probst would be a neat addition, but I really don’t see him ‘settling down’ into a full-time gig like this.
(I know if I had to sit down next to Ripa day in and day out, I’d go nuts after a few short weeks.)
I’ll have to ping this off my wife, someone much more knowledgeable about who might be a better fit for ‘Kelly Lee’.
(Gratuitous Lettermen reference, no charge.)
Mark Consuelos would be the best choice. I love their stories and always tape the shows Mark hosts.
I think Anderson Cooper should go do another season of The Mole. He was the best.
Anderson Cooper for sure.
I think Jesse Metcalfe would be a gereat replacement for Regis.
Jesse is funny and very could at bonding with people.
Anderson Cooper….absolutely adore him….totally the whole package!!!!
I would like to see a break from typical Hollywood and go with a fresh face and new attitude. Someone who can bring inspiration to our great country, much the way that Will Rogers inspired the nation.
I would like to see a break from typical Hollywood and go with a fresh face and new attitude. Someone who can bring inspiration to our great country, much the way that Will Rogers inspired the nation in the 1930’s.
I would like to see a break from typical Hollywood and go with a fresh face and new attitude. Someone who can bring inspiration to our great country, much the way that Will Rogers inspired the nation in the 1930’s.