On Nov. 18, 2011, talk show host Regis Philbin will retire from his signature daytime show, Live with Regis & Kelly, after more than 25 years on the program. Live spent the better part of the fall celebrating the hardest working talk show host in the business with a special celebration season featuring many of Regis's favorite guests.
We thought we'd celebrate the amicable host as well, by presenting our Top 5 favorite Regis Philbin moments - from Live and from his many appearances on other talk shows and television programs.
Minaj et Regis
There a few lists out there that don't include this funny - and maybe a little unsettling - moment from Live in 2010. After pop star Nicki Minaj delivered one of her signature hit songs, hosts Regis Philbin and Kelly Ripa joined the singer on stage to thank her for her performance. It's likely Minaj wasn't expecting the thanks she received. Not only did Regis reach out and touch the singer's backside, he also made a very off-color remark when Minaj mentioned her friend's advice about life was to "Go hard." "Wish I could," was Regis's randy reply. "What just happened here?!" exclaimed Ripa, clearly embarrassed - and maybe a little in shock.
Who Wants to Quiz a Millionaire?
Regis hosted the American version of the game show Who Wants to Be a Millionaire when it debuted in 1999. After the show left prime time for syndication, he was replaced by former talk show host Meredith Vieira. But Regis returned to the program for its 10th Anniversary Special. And rather than play amicably as one of the show's celebrity guests, Regis took hold of the show from time to time. He regularly prompted Vieira on what to say and ask next. He even closed the show his own signature style, leaving host Vieira to wrestle (in good fun) to get the show back.
The Keys to a Kiss
What is it with Regis and young pop singers? When star Alicia Keys visited Live in 2004, Regis - seemingly innocent and in all good fun - asked Keys for a peck on the cheek. No harm, no foul, Keys presumably thought. But little did she know Regis was about to perform one of the oldest (and oogiest) tricks in the book. When Keys leaned over, lips pursed, Regis turned his head to receive the kiss smack dab on the lips. A surprised Keys joked, "Now I have to go the hospital and get everything checked out!"
Break Your Leg!
Maybe Regis lost his glasses and forgot to put his contacts in, but you really can't blame Regis for this slip up. Anyone over 40 has misread a sign from distance. For Regis, it was a cue card. And guest Meryl Streep was the unwitting recipient of the gaffe. Reading the card from afar, Regis asked Streep about her daughter, who he said had "just broken her leg." Streep was a visibly shocked. Ripa quickly stepped in to explain that Regis misread the cue card, which actually read, "Daughter Grace just got her big break." Regis, embarrassed, showed the crowd the cue card.
David Letterman's Favorite Last Minute Guest
We suspect many of Regis's appearances on Late Show with David Letterman are quick fill-ins for guests who had to cancel at the last minute. But never mind all that. Whenever Regis plays in Dave's sandbox, you know it's going to be a good time. Once he appeared dressed as Shrek from the Broadway musical of the same name (you could hardly recognize him). Another time, he battled Dave over eating some very gross raw fish. Well, if you don't like that stuff. "Please!" Regis cried, as Dave fed him raw oysters, mussels and clams. "I'm dyin' here!"
