Entertainment

See Regis Say Goodbye After 28 Yrs: ‘I’ll Always Remember These Mornings’

Regis Philbin Says Bye on Final Live ShowRegis Philbin said goodbye to morning television Friday, ending his 28-year reign on the show he co-hosted for 28 years.

“I’ll always remember spending these mornings with all of you,” Philbin said, signing off from his final appearance as the host of “Live! With Regis and Kelly.”

At 80 years old, Philbin has logged more than 17,000 hours on television in a career that dates back to the 1960s. He gained prime-time fame as host of “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire” a decade ago. But his enduring impact was as a morning show host, and his way of weaving something from nothing, turning stories about a dinner out on the town into compelling viewing.

Philbin began his final appearance as host with cameras following his walk from his dressing room to the stage, stopping to knock on co-host Kelly Ripa’s door and walking out with her. “I love you,” she said quietly as the lights went up.

Regis Philbin Says Bye on Final Live Show

Regis Philbin and Kelly Ripa, on Philbin's final day as co-host of their morning show. (Image source: ABC)

The audience for his final show was stacked with celebrities, too, including his former host Kathie Lee Gifford, Katie Couric, Donald Trump, Tony Danza, Alan Alda and Meredith Vieira. Others like Justin Timberlake and Anne Hathaway offered brief filmed tributes.

Ripa fought tears as she recalled how terrified she was on her first day as Philbin’s partner and how he put her at ease.

“You always want to make me feel like a million bucks, always,” she said.

Regis Philbin Says Bye on Final Live Show

The Broadway cast of “Rent” performed a personalized version of “Seasons Of Love,“ replacing the line ”five hundred twenty-five thousand six hundred minutes” with the amount of Philbin’s on-air time, “nine hundred ninety-five thousand six hundred minutes.”

The show was otherwise devoted to emotion-filled clip sequences of hijinks with Ripa and celebrities like Dana Carvey trying their Regis impersonation. Earlier in the week, David Letterman and Vice President Joe Biden had stopped by to pay respects.

Philbin has been careful to say he’s not retiring, and his immediate plans include a tour to promote his new book, “How I Got This Way.”

“Where’s Regis going?” he said. “Regis doesn’t know. Stop asking me!”

The show will continue with Ripa. Similar to when she replaced Gifford, a succession of co-hosts will join her, some essentially trying out for the permanent job.

Philbin’s parting gifts were a key and a plaque. New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg appeared to thank Philbin for making the city a big part of his show, and offered a symbolic key. Walt Disney Co. chief executive Bob Iger showed a plaque honoring Philbin that had been installed on the outside of the building where the show’s studio is located.

“I wanted this to be a show where people would feel better about themselves, to look at life in a different way, a funnier way,” Philbin said.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Comments (50)

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  • mbean
    Posted on November 18, 2011 at 4:44pm

    Never watched him don’t care. This is only a story for Manhattan elites who never leave the Island.

    Get the Blaze out of NYC to somewhere sane, it’s affecting their judgement.

    Report Post » mbean  
    • theaveng
      Posted on November 18, 2011 at 5:20pm

      Well *I* care. I used to watch the show during my college years (mid-90s) up til 2003 or so. It was an entertaining show, especially during the first 15 minutes, and I think the story is as important as when you say “goodbye” to any TV star that has been a part of your life.

      Maybe you’ll understand better when you retire. I bet you won’t want people to say, “Who cares?” Like most retirees you’ll probably want some acknowledgment that you existed (like a going-away cake or party). That’s all this is — Regis exiting the workplace.

      Report Post »  
  • Joyzee
    Posted on November 18, 2011 at 4:04pm

    Now! Regis can watch his own Re-runs of himself, from on tv to in front of a tv….ha!

    Report Post »  
  • Simonne
    Posted on November 18, 2011 at 3:46pm

    I love Regis & he always made me laugh. He is very forgetful & since I am too, it was so funny. He is a very genuine & just a good person. I just read he was the same way even when the cameras weren’t on him. I was so sad watching the show & will miss him terribly but hope to see him soon in some line of work as he is still very energetic. Wish I had some of that energy. I will be buying his book which was released this past week.

    Report Post »  
  • 762x51
    Posted on November 18, 2011 at 3:11pm

    Friends was the “show about nothing” but Regis pioneered the idea. Saw it years ago briefly and was bored to tears in minutes. Never watched it, never will. It was Larry King with a hot co-host.

    Report Post »  
  • B-Neil
    Posted on November 18, 2011 at 2:58pm

    God love-um. Regis Philbin was just another overpaid entertainer who read Q-cards. He did it for twenty eight years and got away with it. I guess in our society we need figures to watch. I know the Government likes it when we watch entertainers, then where not watching them. Thanks for the distraction Regis. CARRY ON McDUFF

    Report Post »  
  • Cape_Lookout_RW_Extremist
    Posted on November 18, 2011 at 2:54pm

    Nice guy I suppose. Don‘t know that I’d let David Letterman kiss me in the mouth. Some of his friends on the left would not be my friends but he also liked a lot of folks on the right. Perhaps he‘s the last of his kind and he’ll be missed.

    Report Post » Cape_Lookout_RW_Extremist  
  • AnAmerican111
    Posted on November 18, 2011 at 2:48pm

    Who cares!

    Report Post »  
  • raininseattle
    Posted on November 18, 2011 at 1:20pm

    He never had a scandal. He was respectful to women. He has a great personality. He looks on the bright side….and loves people. I’d say this is something to be admired. God speed to you Regis.

    Report Post »  
    • someonewhocares
      Posted on November 18, 2011 at 1:45pm

      He always was top.

      http://politicalbowl.com – Political Videos

      Report Post »  
    • thegrassroots
      Posted on November 18, 2011 at 2:55pm

      Regis Is A One And Only! We’ve followed his career since the beginning, when he was a channel 8 news anchor in San Diego. Watching him rise to such phenomenal success has been part of the back drop of our lives. His life is a life well lived and we look forward to seeing what he does next. Thank You, Regis! God Bless You and Your Family!

      Report Post »  
    • Veritas vos liberabit
      Posted on November 18, 2011 at 8:36pm

      It’s mindless TV, but you are right Rain in Seattle! Even as a stay at home mom for 12 years, I never watched TV during the day, but occasionally watched a few minutes of this show. It was cute! Compared to “The View” it was fantastic.

      Report Post » Veritas vos liberabit  
    • mcellu
      Posted on November 19, 2011 at 8:25pm

      amen

      Report Post »  
  • Ming The Merciless
    Posted on November 18, 2011 at 12:45pm

    Does he secretly have a terminal illness and is ‘retiring’ so that we don’t see him waste away on tv?

    Report Post » Ming The Merciless  
    • ishka4me
      Posted on November 18, 2011 at 12:59pm

      I enjoy watching Regis, He is one of the good guys. Sorry to see him go.

      Report Post »  
  • PATRIOTGRUNT
    Posted on November 18, 2011 at 12:38pm

    I should start crying ,but I can’t . What is his claim to fame?. Is he the one that invented Penicillin ? . Oh that’s right , he can talk well.

    Report Post » PATRIOTGRUNT  
  • garyM
    Posted on November 18, 2011 at 12:09pm

    Ecclesiastes 12
    New International Version (NIV)

    Ecclesiastes 12
    1 Remember your Creator
    in the days of your youth,
    before the days of trouble come
    and the years approach when you will say,
    “I find no pleasure in them”—
    2 before the sun and the light
    and the moon and the stars grow dark,
    and the clouds return after the rain;
    3 when the keepers of the house tremble,
    and the strong men stoop,
    when the grinders cease because they are few,
    and those looking through the windows grow dim;
    4 when the doors to the street are closed
    and the sound of grinding fades;
    when people rise up at the sound of birds,
    but all their songs grow faint;
    5 when people are afraid of heights
    and of dangers in the streets;
    when the almond tree blossoms
    and the grasshopper drags itself along
    and desire no longer is stirred.
    Then people go to their eternal home
    and mourners go about the streets.

    6 Remember him—before the silver cord is severed,
    and the golden bowl is broken;
    before the pitcher is shattered at the spring,
    and the wheel broken at the well,
    7 and the dust returns to the ground it came from,
    and the spirit returns to God who gave it.

    8 “Meaningless! Meaningless!” says the Teacher.[a]
    “Everything is meaningless!”

    The Conclusion of the Matter
    9 Not only was the Teacher wise, but he also imparted knowledge to the people. He pondered and searched out a

    Report Post »  
  • garyM
    Posted on November 18, 2011 at 12:06pm

    The Conclusion of the Matter
    9 Not only was the Teacher wise, but he also imparted knowledge to the people. He pondered and searched out and set in order many proverbs. 10 The Teacher searched to find just the right words, and what he wrote was upright and true.
    11 The words of the wise are like goads, their collected sayings like firmly embedded nails—given by one shepherd.[b] 12 Be warned, my son, of anything in addition to them.

    Of making many books there is no end, and much study wearies the body.

    13 Now all has been heard;
    here is the conclusion of the matter:
    Fear God and keep his commandments,
    for this is the duty of all mankind.
    14 For God will bring every deed into judgment,
    including every hidden thing,
    whether it is good or evil.

    Report Post »  
  • garyM
    Posted on November 18, 2011 at 12:04pm

    Ecclesiastes 6
    1 I have seen another evil under the sun, and it weighs heavily on mankind: 2 God gives some people wealth, possessions and honor, so that they lack nothing their hearts desire, but God does not grant them the ability to enjoy them, and strangers enjoy them instead. This is meaningless, a grievous evil.

    3 A man may have a hundred children and live many years; yet no matter how long he lives, if he cannot enjoy his prosperity and does not receive proper burial, I say that a stillborn child is better off than he. 4 It comes without meaning, it departs in darkness, and in darkness its name is shrouded. 5 Though it never saw the sun or knew anything, it has more rest than does that man— 6 even if he lives a thousand years twice over but fails to enjoy his prosperity. Do not all go to the same place?

    7 Everyone’s toil is for their mouth,
    yet their appetite is never satisfied.
    8 What advantage have the wise over fools?
    What do the poor gain
    by knowing how to conduct themselves before others?
    9 Better what the eye sees
    than the roving of the appetite.
    This too is meaningless,
    a chasing after the wind.

    Report Post »  
  • thegreatcarnac
    Posted on November 18, 2011 at 12:04pm

    Old Regis made a fortune on nothing. That show was a close to nothing as I have seen yet he made it last 28 years. He is truly a magician if nothing else.

    Report Post »  
    • cher128
      Posted on November 18, 2011 at 2:44pm

      You are so right!!!!!! Good ol’ Rege was a lucky guy. In the “right place at the right time” kind of guy with very little talent. He just hung and hung and hung around and in time, became the familiar face that knew the “Rat Pack. ”
      Truth is we is very cantankerous and rude.
      I don’t know why fate smiles on some so kindly and to others, nice as they might be, gives the boot in the pants. In my opinion, Regis Philbin was the former, not the latter and, I‘m glad he’s gone however, I’m certain, like a virus, he will never really go away.

      Report Post » cher128  
  • garyM
    Posted on November 18, 2011 at 12:03pm

    A Time for Everything
    1 There is a time for everything,
    and a season for every activity under the heavens:
    2 a time to be born and a time to die,
    a time to plant and a time to uproot,
    3 a time to kill and a time to heal,
    a time to tear down and a time to build,
    4 a time to weep and a time to laugh,
    a time to mourn and a time to dance,
    5 a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
    a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,
    6 a time to search and a time to give up,
    a time to keep and a time to throw away,
    7 a time to tear and a time to mend,
    a time to be silent and a time to speak,
    8 a time to love and a time to hate,
    a time for war and a time for peace.

    Report Post »  
  • garyM
    Posted on November 18, 2011 at 12:02pm

    1 The words of the Teacher,[a] son of David, king in Jerusalem:
    2 “Meaningless! Meaningless!”
    says the Teacher.
    “Utterly meaningless!
    Everything is meaningless.”

    3 What do people gain from all their labors
    at which they toil under the sun?
    4 Generations come and generations go,
    but the earth remains forever.
    5 The sun rises and the sun sets,
    and hurries back to where it rises.
    6 The wind blows to the south
    and turns to the north;
    round and round it goes,
    ever returning on its course.
    7 All streams flow into the sea,
    yet the sea is never full.
    To the place the streams come from,
    there they return again.
    8 All things are wearisome,
    more than one can say.
    The eye never has enough of seeing,
    nor the ear its fill of hearing.
    9 What has been will be again,
    what has been done will be done again;
    there is nothing new under the sun.
    10 Is there anything of which one can say,
    “Look! This is something new”?
    It was here already, long ago;
    it was here before our time.
    11 No one remembers the former generations,
    and even those yet to come
    will not be remembered
    by those who follow them.

    Report Post »  
  • Ashley
    Posted on November 18, 2011 at 11:51am

    Regis was a bright spot on morning television. I always set the DVR to watch his show. Wish more shows would be like what he built. A family-oriented fun show that is a perfect example of great television. It was a nice escape from the doom and gloom of the news and would put a smile on your face! Will truly miss Regis!

    Report Post »  
  • Sy Kosys
    Posted on November 18, 2011 at 11:47am

    Who’s gonna #Occupy it now?

    Report Post » Sy Kosys  
  • piper60
    Posted on November 18, 2011 at 11:45am

    Like Regis as a person, but got awfully tired of the show. Especially after Kathy Lee left. The show’s influence left at that point as well.

    Report Post » piper60  
  • rdietz7
    Posted on November 18, 2011 at 11:45am

    Regis is a class act. Never watched to much of the show but respect the guy. Seems like a hard worker.

    Report Post » rdietz7  
  • runsolo
    Posted on November 18, 2011 at 11:42am

    This is news? Everything going on and this is the headline?

    Report Post »  
    • Gonzo
      Posted on November 18, 2011 at 11:50am

      Come on, Regis and Joy Behar both gone on the same day? I’m not sure I can go on…life’s just not worth living anymore.

      Report Post » Gonzo  
    • Girard1974
      Posted on November 18, 2011 at 12:13pm

      Of course it’s news – what else would you call it? Why do people make such inane comments? Maybe the story isn’t interesting to you, fine–turn the page. But to question its news worthiness is sophomoric.

      Report Post » Girard1974  
  • randy
    Posted on November 18, 2011 at 11:39am

    See ya Regis, Didn’t watch you, didn’t know your politics. So on that note, enjoy your retirement.

    Report Post » randy  
  • Gonzo
    Posted on November 18, 2011 at 11:36am

    I guess I should care.

    Report Post » Gonzo  
  • lukerw
    Posted on November 18, 2011 at 11:32am

    Yawn ;o

    Report Post » lukerw  
  • C. Schwehr
    Posted on November 18, 2011 at 11:32am

    Nice…enjoy your retirement….

    Report Post »  
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