Regis Bids Farewell to Live!

Plus: Letterman gives him a Vespa
By Evann Gastaldo,  Newser Staff
Posted Nov 18, 2011 9:45 AM CST

It’s Regis Philbin's last day on Live! with Regis and Kelly. He kicked off his farewell last night with a visit to David Letterman’s show (highlights in the gallery) and continued with an hour-long goodbye tribute this morning. Who will Kelly Ripa get to cozy up to next? TV Guide offers up a list of eight possible replacements. A sampling:

  • Mark Consuelos: First of all, he’s Ripa’s husband. He has also already filled in for Regis, and has hosted his own show. But maybe it's too cutesy a pairing?

  • Mario Lopez: The Saved By the Bell star has interviewing experience from Extra, and has also hosted America’s Best Dance Crew. But maybe he's too much like Consuelos (read: dimpled, Latin)?
  • Ralph Macchio: He’s the Karate Kid, but oddly, that’s not the reason TV Guide gives; he has apparently also done well filling in for Regis in the past. Bonus: He already lives in New York.
  • Betty White: Everyone loves her, and she's hilarious. But is she too old?
Click to read the whole list (which includes a BRAVO bigwig), or click to find out who the first guest host will be. Missing Regis already? Check out 15 great video moments from his career. (More Regis Philbin stories.)

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