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Summary Veteran talk show star Philbin bid farewell to the morning show which he co-hosted for 28 years.
Whistling audience members gave Philbin a standing ovation on Friday as he walked onto a New York stage to host his final episode of Live With Regis and Kelly.The 80-year-old TV personality shocked fans last January when announced that he planned to leave the popular morning show, which he presided over with co-host Kelly Ripa for almost three decades.Staring directly into a camera, Philbin used part of his farewell celebration to thank the fans that have wished him well.Ill never be able to answer all of the cards, letters and messages that have poured in…but Ill always remember spending these mornings with all of you, he said.Co-host Kelly Ripa fought back tears at times as she tried to relay memories she shared with Regis.Regis you are a true original, she said, her voice alternating between an emotional quiver and soft laughter. There is nobody else like you on the planet.In addition to the Live hosting gig, Philbin gained small-screen notoriety as the host of the nail-biting, high-stakes trivia show Who Wants to Be a Millionaire.But the broadcasting veteran, who is rarely seen without a suit on, made a name for himself as the quirky and affable co-host of Live where hes interviewed show-biz heavyweights such as Ben Affleck, Tom Hanks and Amy Poehler.In the shows earlier days, Philbin co-hosted with actress Kathie Lee Gifford, who sat in the studio audience on Friday but didnt play a role in the finale.New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg was on hand to offer Philbin a symbolic key to the city.You have been New York Citys greatest fan for 28 years and I just wanted to come and tell you that New York feels the same about you, he said.New York has been featured prominently on the show, with the citys most iconic spots often showing up in features.Other big names including Donald Trump, Katie Couric and Tony Danza filled out the cheering studio audience, which rose to its feet several times throughout the show.Several stars that werent at the finale were featured in filmed tributes to Philbin. One segment titled Being Regis featured celebrities such as Michael Buble and Tom Hanks impersonating the veteran host.At one point in the episode, Philbin appeared uncharacteristically pensive as he watched singers modify the words to Rents Seasons of Love to honour him.There was also a saccharine tribute to Philbin and Ripas on-air relationship which included slow-motion clips of the two set to the Uncle Kracker song You Make Me Smile.Ripa struggled to speak as she read an emotional statement that detailed how Philbin complimented her every morning as they walked from the dressing room to the stage. You always want to make me feel like a million bucks. Always, she said. Philbins wife Joy was also on hand to support her husband and share a long-held secret from their honeymoon. She saidPhilbin announced after their wedding that he hadnt made a hotel reservation. As Joy tells it, the two drove to a coffee shop where Philbin said Whats wrong with this? Isnt this nice?While Philbin is leaving, Live will continue on with Ripa and a rotating cast of co-hosts until a permanent replacement is announced.Philbin has been careful to note that he isnt retiring but rather moving on. He has said that he plans to use his newfound free time to promote his new book, How I Got This Way.Referring to the show as fate, Philbin told his audience that he considered Live to be the last chance he had to be successful in New York City.
