Remembering Regis Philbin

Some of my memories, certainly not the best known, of the prolific entertainer and television legend, Regis Philbin, who died last week at age 88, will follow.

It is Thursday May 15, 1980 and I am in Los Angeles and I see A.M. Los Angeles, with co hosts Regis Philbin and Cyndy Garvey.

Philbin is entertaining, talking about game 5 of the NBA final (Lakers vs 76ers) played the night before. He is enthralled with how the public address announcers call Henry Bibby’s name. He imitates them. Good stuff.

Regis often opened his morning shows (Sarah Purcell, Cyndy Garvey, Kathie Lee Gifford and Kelly Rippa were his major co hosts over 35 plus years), with sports, especially involving Notre Dame football.

He and I had a funny talk at a New York City event one night, as I lamented the fact Notre Dame was not going “over” its projected season wins total. I think Mr. Philbin said “and you had the over.”

Regis Philbin certainly went OVER, in a big way. He had a Guinness Book of World Records total for hours on television and truly was a very popular entertainer.

Oh another “sport,” a favorite “inside” past time, namely sex. Mr. Regis (think Woody Allen saying Mr. Milton Berle, in I think “Broadway Danny Rose”) had a role in Allen’s “Everything You Always Wanted To Know About Sex and Were Afraid To Ask.” He was a panelist. Again good stuff.

Regis Philbin had a remarkable career.

Regis Philbin, pictured above.