The Reege Replacement Countdown! - The Cultute of Pop, DVD, Movie, TV, Pop Culture Review

The Reege Replacement Countdown!

Posted: Wed, 26 Jan 2011 23:53:09 PST

WHO WILL FILL REGIS' CHAIR?

Last week, broadcasting legend Regis Philbin completed a trifecta of sorts, as the latest TV talk show host to announce his departure from the scene following newly semi-retired Larry King and soon to fly Oprah Winfrey.

Although Reege's swan ,song isn't scheduled until late this summer, it's never too early to start speculating some potential replacements. So, since I'm a talk show junkie and somewhat of an expert on the subject being perhaps the only kid allowed to occasionally sit up and watch the likes of Dick, Johnny and Merv way back when, let me offer my list of prospective inheritors of the chair next to Kelly.

Some in the list below are names already being bandied around, but I've also included some left field choices that may be inspired...but that's up to you, Gelman....and they are listed in descending order, by the way...so here we go.

John O'Hurley-This former Seinfeld semi-regular and Dancing With The Stars favorite already has some significant hosting experience thanks to his multi-year stint on Family Feud. Plus, O' Hurley has that silver fox appeal that may very well enable LIVE to hang on to it's current older female demographic if they so desire..But I have a feeling they'll wanna target a younger piece of the viewership pie which most likely eliminates him. But he'd make a great substitute host at least.

Cameron Matheson-A fellow All My Children vet like LIVE co-host Ripa, there's an immediate source of bonding right there....and just like Reege likes to wax nostalgic on vintage Hollywood, Cam and Kelly can do the same on their soap days on slow days. Kidding aside,the longtime actor has done some impressive special correspondent work for Good Morning America and would likely draw a huge amount of daytime drama devotees.

Dana Carvey-Originally, this monster already New York based impressionist and Saturday Night alum was much higher on my list, but following a recent Tonight Show appearance, I had to knock him down a few notches. Not because of his lack of talent, but he just didn't know had to turn it down a few notches. However, if he could temper himself and adapt to the more relaxed daytime formula, he might be a potential dark horse if the powers that be and he were to talk. If anything, Dana could bring his brilliant Regis impersonations out of mothballs ever so often for old times sake.

Wayne Brady-Already experienced as a host thanks to his short lived, but Emmy winning daytime talk show, this talented comedian has an instant likeability that would likely transcend potential barriers. Also blessed with a wonderful singing voice, he'd be fun to have around for holiday shows and such.

Andy Anderson-Extremely popular on Bravo's recap specials for the 70,000 Real Housewives series along with live specials featuring the cable net's reality stars, he already has an impressive resume. But can he be effective talking to real stars, and would Bravo be willing to let him leave?

Howie Mandell-Already battle tested as an occasional substitute, there's already a nice, relaxed chemistry between Ripa and he along with good notices from die hard LIVE faithful. But is a New York move out of the question, not to mention a still thriving comedy concert career along with a potential return to America's Got Talent?

Chris Rock-Ah, I can see people shaking their heads at this WAY left field choice, but no less a reliable resource than fellow comedian Arsenio Hall confirmed that if Rock were offered the gig (along with test shows, no doubt), Rock would be interested. Although known for his beyond raunchy stage presence in concert, Rock is a very nice, articulate, just plain folks guy off-stage and somewhat shy, believe it or not...and if he could tone it down a few notches for the daytime audience, he very might accomplish quite a new direction....and he could still get rowdy on the stage on weekends.

Mark Consuelos-Yep, can't leave Kelly's real life hubby on here...and many of you will probably wonder why I don't have him ranked higher. Well, for one thing, I have many other more capable choices and suggestions ahead. Secondly, it's gotta be extremely hard on a marriage to do a show with your partner day in, day out. So like Joy, Mark should continue to be designated as a regular fill-in/emergency stand by host, which he does very well.

Sam Champion-For non Good Morning American viewers, Sam is the robust, beyond charming weatherman for the long running ABC program who is not only an excellent meteorologist, but a fellow pop culture junkie. His versatility at a wide array of subjects from cooking to celebrity interviews would make him a natural. But, as a weather guy for nearly a quarter of a century, I don't think he'd want to vacate temperature and graphics laden maps to go all talk show. But after the winter we've experienced so far, who knows?

Pat Sajak-Yet another fill-in partner for Ripa, his wry sense of humor and above average interview skills have impressed me over the years...and like Rock and Brady above, he's had some chat background via his ill-fated CBS talk show from the late 1980's. So if he's absolutely sick of watching the wheel go round and round, I think Reege's old chair would suit him

Tom Dreesen-Yeah, I know....Tom who? Dreesen is well known on the comedy scene for his gentle, yet hilarious humor and frequent appearances on Late Show with long time friend David Letterman. He's also a great story teller a la Regis with many a tale of Frank Sinatra (with whom he toured for nearly two decades) and other show biz greats he could share on slow days. Instantly charming, I think Tom would be a terrific candidate for LIVE.

Pat O'Brien-A beyond talented broadcast veteran who's done everything from sports to entertainment reporting, there's no doubt in my mind that he'd be a perfect fit for a talk show with his wealth of knowledge on a vast array of subjects and a ton of stories from his long career. But, with a current running, well received radio show on FOX Radio and his happiness in L.A, he's probably a long shot....But then again, nobody thought Conan would go West.

Charles Grodin-Now compared to O'Brien, Grodin is an EXTREME long shot...not to mention LEFT FIELD...But just the mere thought of this dour, but outrageously funny guy combined with the pep of Kelly...it just makes me laugh...and who knows, maybe such an unlikely pairing could work in a Felix/Oscar/Odd Couple kind of way. Truth be told, who'd ever thought that a partnership between a 69 year old broadcast veteran and a 30 year old actress would turn out to be successful? Well it has for 10 years, so I rest my case....Besides, I've been jonesing for some Grodin ever since his CNBC show was canceled many moons....and how can you not love a guy who closed every show by saying “Good night Mom, I love you.

David Duchovny-Most likely a no-go due to his still successful acting career, the long time X-Files star has a relaxed yet quirky cool that's played well with regular LIVE viewers over the years via his fill in status with Ripa. But who's to say the local boy might wanna come back home and switch gears for a while? Also, to the ladies, he's (as David Letterman would say), easy on the eyes.

Anderson Cooper-A top pick of many LIVE fans via his numerous appearances as Reege's pinch hitter, his ongoing commitments to CNN along with his own talk show arriving this fall, it's unlikely Cooper would be able to work in a third gig...But hey, if Ryan Seacrest can do such things, the same scenario might prove possible. Also, should a different selection for Regis' bombs along with Cooper's new project doing the same, he'd prolly be the first person the powers that be would call. Don't get me wrong; I'd love to see Anderson succeed as a daytime talker, but given the fact that so many shows have come and gone throughout the years, it's gonna be very tough.

Neil Patrick Harris-Yet another stand-by host with an enormous following, the only question is the potential longevity for How I Met Your Mother? That aside, he's done brilliantly at hosting the Tony Awards and the Emmys; there's also the appeal of nearby Broadway where Harris could still satisfy his acting chops from time to time like Rosie O'Donnell did during her daytime reign. But all things could wind down to “Only CBS”.

Jeff Probst-Yes, we're in the midst of LIVE guest host alumnae in this countdown with the long time Survivor host whose contract is reportedly up at the end of this season. More than capable at the gig already, Probst could bring a new energy to the show as well as a younger demographic via his hefty fan base. Like Sajak, it could all come down to whether he want to keep playing games...or trade the wild for the comforts of a television studio.

Charles Gibson-Off the bat, I am a huge, huge fan of this former ABC newsman, so pardon the bias...and to me (with all due respect to its current, likeable crew), Good Morning America has not been the same since his departure. With his wonderful ability to switch gears from news makers to pop culture headliners along with a relaxed, yet very wry sense of humor, I think Gibson would make a wonderful partner for Kelly. However, I have heard that the cranky character Harrison Ford plays in Morning Glory is supposedly based on Gibson. So, he probably wouldn't take the gig. But I'd give anything if he could be coaxed out of retirement like another idol of mine (Tom Snyder), for one last broadcast go round.

Ryan Seacrest-Tops on virtually every list and article written on the Regis replacement speculation scenario, the big Q's here are: Renewing his contract with Idol, a successful L.A. morning radio show, his highly visible gigs on E!, numerous exec producer roles for E!, the American Top 40 radio show...and....hmm, did I miss something? Oh, I think he has to use the bathroom and eat every couple of days. But with technology being what it is nowadays, he could easily keep his producing jobs intact along with AT40 and a return to afternoon drive radio albeit in NYC for the first time. Plus, he wouldn't have to commute to the Big Apple for the ball drop in future years...and I've no doubt that the ABC/Disney people would love to have his expertise in a wide variety of areas...In other words, Seacrest is our modern day Dick Clark.

So although he's yet to be paired up with Kelly as far as I know, their similar age range might just be what the LIVE crew is looking for in terms of the future.

Martin Short-But just ahead of Mr. American Idol, my pick for Regis' replacement is also one none other than the man himself chose as well. It did my heart more than good to hear Regis suggest this amazingly funny, gifted and talented showbiz vet as his favorite to inherit the throne; in fact, Philbin made his choice know the day after I'd made a rough list of potential replacements. If I remember correctly, he's been a fill-in host over the years and has just the right blend of professionalism and wackiness to keep an audience enthralled. In addition to his memorable turns on SCTV and Saturday Night Live, Short also honed his chops in his native Canada back in his salad days. About the only thing I foresee standing in his way? Demographic concerns and the regrettable failure of his own underrated talk show of a few years back. But if those hurdles could be cleared, appointment television would be the name of the game for me.

So, have I missed any potential names in the Reege Replacement hat? Any thoughts on my choices above? Hit me up at my Twitter feed below and become a follower while you're at it....

-J.R.

Jeffrey Rosado is a writer, pop culture historian, performer and all around nice guy...until the part of Live With Regis And Kelly where they never call him....ever......never....

Follow Jeff on Twitter: marquee_man