ENTERTAINMENT: Regis Philbin Leaving Live!

After 28 years as host, Regis Philbin is signing off. The talk-show veteran announced his retirement from Live With Regis and Kelly at the beginning of today’s show, the AP reports. "It's been a long time,” he said, “and it was the biggest thrill of my life to come back to New York, where I grew up as a kid watching TV in the early days.” But alas, “there is a time that everything must come to an end for certain people on camera—especially certain old people,” joked the 79-year-old.

"I think I can only speak for America and all of us here," responded co-host Kelly Ripa, "when I say it has been a pleasure and a privilege and a dream come true. And I wish I could do something to make you change your mind." Philbin didn’t give a specific departure date, but said he would leave toward the end of the summer. He holds the Guinness World Record for most hours on camera: 15,662 hours, as of 2006. ABC News reports that Live will continue with Kelly Ripa and a new co-host.

MK responds: Reege was alway so nice to its audience. I recall visiting the LIVE set in 1990 and gotten a cold shoulder from Kathie Lee (She was focusing on the audience members that were giving her gifts to her son, Cody). Regis and I spoke briefly and was very kind, What really impressed me was when he called me by name. Great Man!