Source: Regis 'Regretting' Decision to Leave 'Live'

By Rob Shuter Posted Feb 24th 2011 10:31AM

It's been a mere two months since TV legend Regis Philbin announced he was saying goodbye to 'Live With Regis And Kelly,' and already insiders tell me he's having second thoughts.

"Regis quit without talking it through" with his co-host, a source with close ties to the show tells me. "He only told Kelly 10 minutes before the show went live, and now he's regretting it."

Regis, who makes a healthy salary (various reports peg it somewhere between $10-$20 million a year), was reportedly annoyed with the way he was being treated in contract negotiations with ABC and went on to fire his longtime agent, Jim Griffin, shortly after he made his announcement.

He's realized that soon he'll be left without a steady job, and a friend of the star tells me he's yet to receive those truly "great offers." No doubt they will come as the clock ticks down on his 28-year run on 'Live,' but waiting is the hardest part!

"He should have accepted a pay cut and remained on the show he created," a friend of Regis' tells me. "He's 79, and everyone knows TV is a young person's game. What was he thinking? I'm sure he looked at how the public has welcomed back Kathie Lee [Gifford, his old co-star] on 'Today' and assumed they would do the same for him. But as of now, he hasn't had any great offers."

When he announced on Jan. 18 that he was leaving 'Live,' Regis made it clear he wasn't going to be moving to the old folks home or anything. "I'm not going to retire. I just will be gone," he said.

I was actually at ABC studios in New York just hours after Regis made his announcement, and an executive who spoke on the condition of anonymity told me that producers have been "unofficially testing" out possible replacements for a while, but that they haven't necessarily found Kelly's partner yet. ABC said in January that it will announce Regis' replacement in the coming months.

I say stay, Regis ... or get back in the game show business pronto!

In the Meantime, Regis Is Still Having a Ball -- Watch Him and Snooki:

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Tags: Live With Regis and Kelly, Regis Philbin

Comments

(163)

Thursday 24 February

By Kent

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He's jealous that Kelly would rather be working with Anderson more than him.

By Mr. Leo

Management was probably delighted he quit. Take Gelman with you!

By Steve

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Regis has long been an institution of American daytime television but he's well into his 4th quarter and tends to have lapses of thought and a sharp tongue. At 79, hasn't he made enough money, been applauded by enough people and shared enough stories? Let it go Regis while you're on top and healthy.....go enjoy your wonderful wife and many friends......let us miss you.

By Ev

I absolutely agree with you. Am I the only one who is sick and tired of this man name-dropping every chance he gets? I can give a rat's behind who he knows. It's not putting a dime in my pockets. All I want is to be entertained and get a good chuckle. Kelly is way funnier, and a natural. I hope she gets a co-host whose chemistry takes the show to another level.

By Hump Diddy

Yep take a lesson from the illustrious Quarterback Brett Favre!

By Della

I couldn't have said it better. My sentiments exactly.

By MELINDA

WELL SAID !!!!!!

By Steve Carr

Sure he regrets it now that he has got over his little fit! He ought to have to live like 95% of the rest of America! He is just like so many other celebreties if they are not in rehab, trouble with the law, then they are just plain greedy! I mean if the man has made 10 to 20 million dollars a year for the past several years how much does he think he needs? I can't understand why people can't ever be satisfied, when is enough, enough? I will tell you why they are never satisfied it's one of the oldest sayings around MONEY CAN'T BUY HAPPINESS!

By gary

And, let's not forget: "The LOVE of money is the root of all evil." It really is!

By joanjmak05

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Why can't the producers try and work something out for him. I mean the man is an ICON and deserves the respect.

By Rick

He quit his job. end of story.

If any of us changed our minds after submitting our resignation, would we think we had a shot at getting our job back?

By Sherry Thompson

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I totally agree with you! Regis IS an Icon and will be missed by both the young and old. Sure he's gotten forgetful and is sometimes a little cranky, but THAT'S what everyone loves about him!! Please Regis....negotiate and stay!!

By Jeryl Napolitano

Regis - an ICON?????? Give me a break! He's an old and useless fossil who doesn't even rank. An icon is someone like Michael Jackson who influenced millions and changed the music industry forever - not Regis Philbin who can't do a thing!

By shirley

Regis is an Icon. And if he exists this television show, I will not be watching. Kelly is a sweet little girl (her voice is irritating).... She can't hold a match to Regis' quick wit......

By syl1969

No - it's not just his job: he IS Live with REGIS and Kelly. The raport between the two is what makes this show. Replacing him with Anderson Cooper or anyone else will never work like this does. It's his schtick to talk in 3rd person and be crotchety. Makes for much humor. They should make whatever consession he wants!

By flrtch

Regis is the perfect example of the American dream....a man with absolutely no talent, but succeeds.

Tuesday 01 March

By pat

Yes, he IS a legend in his own mind.

By jj

No one can replace Regis. I don't watch when he is on vacation because its just not the same. No one can tell a story like he can. I'm going to really miss him.

By Followtheyellowbrickroad

Too bad hes leaving, since the little boy kelly started, we stopped watching. Its irritating to see the little troll open her annoying mouth, we dont buy anthing she endorses either.
one good thing, the lollipop keeps the nannies employed.

By justin sayin

Yeah, and your yellowbrickroad leads to hell! you dizzy dish.

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