Regis Philbin Replacement Not Likely To Be Neil Patrick Harris
While How I Met Your Mother star Neil Patrick Harris may be doing a "great job" filling in for former Live! With Regis and Kelly co-host Regis Philbin this week, the 80-year-old retiree said viewers shouldn't get too comfortable with him because he likely won't get the permanent position.
"Neil Patrick Harris always does a great job, but he's got an enormous hit," Philbin told Extra host Maria Menounos on Monday. "They've got to find someone who has the time right now to do that. Neil was great and he will probably pinch hit, I'm sure. They have to keep looking around until they find someone that really appeals to Kelly... and then they'll go for it."
Since Philbin's last Live! With Regis and Kelly show with co-host Kelly Ripa on Nov. 18, rumors have been swirling around who will be selected to fill the talk show veteran's shoes. The show has scheduled a slew of celebrities to temporarily fill in for Philbin in the upcoming weeks to find just the right personality that will spark chemistry with Ripa. Comedian Jerry Seinfeld co-hosted the show last week, and in the upcoming weeks celebrities including Jonah Hill, Jerry O'Connell, Derek Hough and Josh Groban are scheduled to have a go at the daytime spot.
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According to The Wall Street Journal, some of the top contenders that ABC executives are looking at include radio and television personality Ryan Seacrest, Television host Andy Cohen and Ripa's husband, actor Mark Consuelos.
Ripa gave Philbin a teary goodbye on his final show.
"Your light is what shined around all of us and made us look so bright for so long," she said. "And as you go forward, I'm thinking about the people at home who are suffering from cancer, and a nursing mother who's been up all night feeding her baby, and the little boy who's taking a math test and he's afraid to go to school so he stays home, and he watches you, and your story makes him feel better. And so, I look forward to the next steps, and may they fill you with all of the joy that you've filled us with for all of these years."
