Things Are Weird Between Regis Philbin And Kelly Ripa (UPDATE)

Yes, more awkward than whatever Regis Phibin is doing with his hands in the pockets of that apron.

Regis started hosting Live! with Kelly Ripa in 2001, but he chose to retire in 2011 at the age of 79. Regis appeared on Larry King Now on Tuesday, and admitted that he doesn’t really keep in touch with Kelly, and it sounds like that might be her choice. Reeg explains that he’s never been asked back to Live! in the six years since he’s been gone, and he’s pretty sure it’s because Kelly is still pissed at him. Regis says that Kelly took it really personal when he decided to leave the show. Really? Kelly took it personally when her co-host left the show? Huh, you don’t say.

Regis also told Larry King that he misses hosting a TV show, and sometimes wishes that he’d never quit. As for how Regis gets along with his other former Live! co-host, Kathie Lee Gifford, they still talk and seem to like each other.

UPDATE: Regis claimed he has never been invited back to Live!, but…that’s not true. President and General Manager of WABC (which produces Live!) Dave Davis released a statement today reminding Regis that he was actually on Live! for their Halloween show in 2015.

“It was wonderful to have Regis on the show for our 2015 Halloween special. He’s also been invited back several times as a guest, and in fact was confirmed for a date, but was not able to make it at the time.”

There must be another reason for why Kelly deleted Regis from her life. Surely she’s not so petty that she’d stop speaking to Regis just because he decided to quit, right? (Stop laughing, Michael Strahan). My guess is she killed their friendship after finding a pile of unopened Hope & Faith DVDs in the back of Regis’ dressing room closet on the day he left.

Pic: Wenn.com