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"Regis & Kelly" gets by with subs HOLLYWOOD (Variety) - For the first time in its 14-year syndication history, morning talk show "Live With Regis & Kelly" came on the air Tuesday with neither of its co-hosts. Regis Philbin was already scheduled to be off this week; various co-hosts had been set to sub with Kelly Ripa. But then Ripa got a nasty case of the stomach 'flu. Rather than throw on a repeat, producers summoned Joan Rivers at 5 a.m. Tuesday for a 9 a.m. taping of "Live." As "a good friend of the show," said a publicist for the show's Disney-owned syndicator Buena Vista TV, Rivers had no problem subbing at the last second for Ripa. Rivers teamed with "Dharma & Greg" star Thomas Gibson, who was the morning's slated guest host. In an on-air call from her sickbed Tuesday, Ripa told the "Live" studio audience that she'll make herself get well for today's show. Philbin is set to be back Monday -- unless, of course, you believe this week's National Enquirer. The tabloid claims Philbin is ready to walk away from his gabber. For the record, Buena Vista said Philbin -- in the midst of a very lucrative deal -- is not going anywhere. |
