Sucking Up? Regis Philbin Surprises Kathie Lee On Her Last Day At ‘Today’
Kathie Lee Gifford is celebrating her last day on the Today show after 11 years with the network, but of course, she couldn’t say goodbye without the help of one of her closest friends.
This Friday, April 5, Regis Philbin surprised the veteran host by appearing on stage to wish her the best.
“Kathie Lee, the best part of my TV life was with the 15 years I spent with you from 1985 to 2000,” Philbin, 87, told Gifford, 65.
Philbin and Gifford were once the most beloved dynamic duo of morning TV. The two hosted their syndicated show Live! For 12 years together, after which Philbin began co-hosting with Kelly Ripa.
“We stayed friends through the entire game, and it was a lot of fun,” Philbin said, making Gifford tear up. “Where you are right now I know you're going to be moving on to a great new career making move, and since I've seen the first one, I know you're going to be a great success.”
Now that Gifford is moving on from the Today show’s fourth hour — and leaving longtime friend Hoda Kotb behind — Philbin is ready to jump back into business with her! A source exclusively told RadarOnline.com the things haven’t been going great for Philbin in terms of his career, and he believes Gifford is his ticket to success.
He said this Friday: “I really mean it. I want you to know how I will always remember the great times that we had working together and how you are as a person. Just great.”
Gifford reciprocated her former co-hosts’ love as she struggled to express her emotions on her last day.
“Love you, Reg,” she said, revealing that the two are very close and he will be visiting her in Greenwich over the summer.
As RadarOnline.com reported, Gifford adores Philbin, but is concerned about his age and health struggles. Knowing that he suffered a deadly blood clot in 2010 and multiple other ailments years prior, she doesn’t necessarily believe he’d be the best business partner for her.
Now that she’s leaving Today, Gifford will be replaced by Jenna Bush Hager, who happens to be a longtime friend of Savannah Guthrie.
Though she hasn’t revealed what she will do next, Gifford has promised she won’t disappear from the spotlight and has many exciting projects in her future.