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 bJ

Vote down Vote up Report this

regis is a woman..................

By Janessa

How about Kate Gosselin?? haha.

By Rich

I hear Conan O'Brian is looking for a job :))

By carl

The health of Regis is not very good,,,hate to see him have to go..BUT..I think that Kelly and her husband would be a perfect match for the show

By Nuts4stangs

I here Conan O Brien is looking for work??? !!!

By me

Conan o'brian is unemployed

By SNZRLDY

IF Regis ever quits, I think MARK would be the perfect co-host.
and I never miss a show when he is going to be on. They have a really good chemistry, that I love to watch!

By cher

I totally agree....Mark and Kelly are a good fit on and off the screen.

By Kim Jackson

Anderson Cooper would be a good choice, but if they pick a woman how about Star Jones or Gayle King?

By jeanne johnson

I disagree, Kelly & her husband Mark would be great together. She acted with him & they are adorable together. Don't put her with another female!

By Gia

High Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

Anderson Cooper and Kelly have great chemistry. Also Martin Short was hysterical.

By Lisa

If it is going to be anybody...PLEASE let it be Howie Mandel

By crystal

I love Regis. He cannot be replaced. Lisa Riina would be
GREAT...Lisa and Kelly Ripa would be a great team...
Hope she is in the top 5...

By honeyseltzer@aol.com

It is so the time for Regis to leave. He is nothing but a boring old man who half the time cannot remember what he was saying, and Kelly has to help him out. Kelly is absolutely wonderful and should not have to share the show with another woman. Get Anderson Cooper and together wow what a great show they would have.

By Dean

Don`t replace anyone,get rid if this stupid show.

By Doris

I agree.......Anderson Cooper would be the best person in Regis' spot!

By Lainee

Putting another woman in there if and when Regis retires is beyond STUPID! That show doesn't need any more Estrogen!
I'd like to see Anderson Cooper (if he is available) or Kelly's husband, Mark, would be a fun choice.

By billybear104

CANCEL THE SHOW!!

By TITMEISTER

I hope they replace him with a woman who has nice tits.

By Toni Warmack

First choice: Mark. Second choice: Anderson Cooper.

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