Will a Woman Replace Regis Philbin on 'Live!'?

By Rob Shuter Posted Jan 27th 2010 08:33PM

Showbiz legend Regis Philbin is still going strong at 78 years old, but what will happen to 'Live! With Regis and Kelly' if and when The Reeg decides to retire? From what I'm hearing, it might turn into a dual-woman show, as producers think no man can match Regis' prowess -- so they'll just go for a woman instead. Makes sense, no? That, plus scoop on January Jones' photo uh-oh and Sundance fun after the jump.

Replacing Regis With a Woman?

How do you replace Regis Philbin? Well, you can't, but that's the question that the producers of 'Live! With Regis and Kelly' are slowly starting to ask.

"He's Regis, a showbiz legend but at 78 years old, he isn't getting any younger. There has to be internal talk about finding a replacement," a TV insider tells me.

And although the show seems to have been testing many great potential new hosts out while Regis underwent his recent successful hip replacement, none of them have been able to fill his huge shoes. That's led some producers to argue that trying to find a man to replace Regis is impossible, and that the only option is to find a woman.

"Kelly is fantastic with other women. She's a girl's girl. Having her co-host with another lady would be the perfect solution to the problem. That way you avoid any compressions to the masterful Philbin," a TV executive tells me.

That seems like a good idea to me! Does anyone have Paula Abdul's number handy?

January Gives SAGs the Cold Shoulder for Jeremy Piven

Silly, silly January Jones. SAG awards sources tell me the 'Mad Men' actress who plays Don Draper's wife skipped flying into Los Angeles last weekend to attend the Screen Actors Guild Awards because she "wasn't feeling well." So you can imagine what SAG voters thought when pictures emerged of Jones out with rumored boyfriend Jeremy Piven the same evening as the awards.

"She blew it big time," a TV insider tells me. "'Mad Men' won for Best Ensemble Cast and she would rather spend the evening flirting with Jeremy Piven!"

Give the girl a second chance, SAG. Maybe she was too sick to travel, and Mr. Piven just took her out for some chicken soup? Hopefully love cures everything.

Secrets From Sundance

Have you ever wondered what it would be like rubbing shoulders with movie stars at the Sundance Film Festival or having drinks with Elton John in snowy Utah? Well wonder no more. The Sundance Channel has hired New York Times best-selling author Paula Froelich to write a hilarious daily blog documenting everything that happens at the festival. Check it out at www.sundancechannel.com/sunfiltered/2010/

You will never take independent films so seriously again!

Tags: regis philbin, RegisPhilbin

Comments

(112)

Thursday 28 January

By Virginia

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Martin Short was great on Live this week - the first time I've laughed in a long time at the show. Too bad Martin wasn't on today when Larry the Cable Guy was on.

Wednesday 27 January

By dr.sausage

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Regis was the lackey/whipping boy in some talk show 40 years ago.then, he disappeared.like a B.M. that won't flush, he popped up a few years ago.he is more obnoxious than Ed McMahon.i'm begging you, anybody but him.maybe the racist "chachi" Baio?

Friday 29 January

By valeskas

Jealous!!!!

By debbie

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nono find a good guy that is funnyandsmart .regis is great and hate to have him leave . kelly is great but she can handle anyone.

By juja

I AGREE 100% HATE THE DUMB BIMBO KELLY
I love REGIS. I hope he stays till his dying day

By leon

Just cut the program and put Hollywood Squares or Howdy Doody reruns on in the time slot.

By jim

Why don't they just put Hoda and Kathy lee in that spot we could all use a nice nappie.

By carol

I think Kelly and her husband Mark have great chemistry together.....he would be a good choice.

By Lita

I agree. They are good together. And I enjoy the stories they tell on each other... as well as when they talk about the kids. (Thank God she's nothing like the incredibly annoying Kathie Lee Gifford who was more into bragging about her tiresome children than telling an interesting or funny story about them.)

By K

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Personally, I think the shows where Anderson Cooper co-hosts are great.

By reena

who watches this show anyways???

By tgail

Would of of Regis's daughters be good? Lisa Rhinna would be great...She really has a fun personality and she gets along very well with women and men....She is classy, funny, goes with the flow, chatty cathy herself.....hmmmmm

By Laura

Love your statement Lisa would be great to re place Regis I just love her she is spunky and funny too. Giving you a 5 star

By Mike

Pick Rosie O' Donnell. Then you can have a man/woman at the same time!

By paul

please....get rid of Regis...the man dont need the job to start with and he looks so funky trying to look like a teenager....he is a hasbeen...let him retire with his millions. replacing him should be the easiest part.

By berry

YOUR'E JUST JEALOUS!!! REGIS IS A ICON AND NO ONE CAN REP[LACE HIM THE SHOW WON'T MAKE IT WHEN HE LEAVES BECAUSE TRUE TALENT WILL BE LEAVING FOREVER!! I'LL MISS HIM.

Sunday 10 October

By New York

How wrong you are!!! Regis is the reason the show lasted as long as it did. He is funny, intelligent, professional

By chicobombico

Regis and Kelly should both be replaced. Regis is useless and Kelly is one dumb bimbo. Lets bring Heckle and Jeckyl out of retirement or Popeye and Olive Oil even if they are not real they are still one up on Regis and Kelly

By Elana

Anderson Cooper, he has a nice way about himself, is a good listner, can make good conversation about all topics, a very interesting person, dresses well & good looking, Kelly likes him already. Then her husband could fill-in when he's in Haiti or where ever they send him... Anderson is my choice.

By Dottie

Before I read the article,Anderson Cooper was my first choice also. This guy is the total package!! He's smart, funny, down-to-earth,and ladies, I must say he's very easy on the eyes!

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