First Regis Philbin announces he's leaving 'Live,' now he dumps agent
Just one day giving notice that he's leaving his day job as host of the syndicated morning talk show "Live with Regis & Kelly," Regis Philbin has also dumped his agent of 30 years.
"I don't understand what this is all about," said Paradigm agent Jim Griffin.
The 79-year-old Philbin, who only recently had decided to walk away from the show he has been affiliated with for almost three decades, is headed to WME, the agency born out of the merger between Endeavor and William Morris. Griffin had toiled at William Morris for years, but left with Philbin in tow after the merger. News that Philbin was going to WME was first reported by Deadline Hollywood. Although Griffin handled Philbin's main TV gigs, WME had continued to handle the personality's night club work.
In an interview, Griffin said he was taken aback by Philbin's abrupt depature.
"When I first met Regis, he hadn't worked in a year and a half and here we are," Griffin said, adding, "we've had a great run."
Asked what Philbin might have been unhappy about, Griffin said he did not know. "It's obviously very sad," he sighed.
Philbin's exit from the morning show and his decision to switch agents has caught many in the industry off guard.
Having chosen to quit a job that paid him a handsome salary (north of $15 million a year, according to some industry sources), it will be interesting to see what work WME drums up for Philbin that will be as lucrative.
In the meantime, Disney, which distributes "Live with Regis & Kelly," has several months to find Kelly Ripa a new co-host. The show is still successful, although its ratings are on the decline and the median age for the show is about 60. That makes the program less appealing to many advertisers who covet young viewers.
No word if Ripa's name will go first once Philbin is gone.
-- Joe Flint
Photo: Regis Philbin and Kelly Ripa. Credit: Associated Press
There has to be more to this story; I find it hard to believe Griffin has no clue as to Regis's departure. I'm sure Regis has some ideas up his sleeve that he hasn't announced yet, which would partly explain his desire to switch agents.
Posted by: Philip | January 19, 2011 at 05:17 PM
Median age 60? Wow. I am 37 and have been watching the show on and off for 10 years at least. I think it's fun. Hope they don't ruin it by choosing the wrong co-host.
Posted by: Nimbette | January 19, 2011 at 06:09 PM
He's almost 80! Isn't that enough of a reason?
He wants to sleep in and relax in his final years. Good for him!
Posted by: DG3 | January 19, 2011 at 09:46 PM
His time has come, just like #4 of the Vikings(Brett Favre). I think when time has come and people are in show business or sports, ONE never knows when to retire. But who could blame them, because the networks or sports teams are to blame and they keep paying these long over due RETIREES..
Posted by: Chris Taus | January 19, 2011 at 11:18 PM
Ahhh yes...make me millions and then..get lost...Talk about loyalty, gratitude and ethics...'Dats hollywoooo'!!!
Posted by: Andrew Masset | January 20, 2011 at 03:25 AM
Kelly has a 'big announcement ' on today's show. (1/20/11) We shall see...
Posted by: kate brown pa | January 20, 2011 at 03:56 AM
It's amazing how advertisers continue to covet the young demographic. From what I'm seeing, it's the oldsters who have all the money - the young people, not so much. I know it's because they think they can "switch" young people over to their products; but if they don't have much money, does it really matter?
Posted by: Walter | January 20, 2011 at 06:39 AM
Back in the day, Philbin was more interesting with Kathie Lee Giffords as a foil; but, really, the tv show's become tedious and formulaic. Kelly Ripa's middleclass schlock hasn't helped at all. I hope she saved her money. Jinx Falkenburg, who had the best early morning show on radio years ago and invented the format, was the best of the class. Regis remains a self-obsessed, grasping celebrity and, frankly, who could care that a multimillionaire doesn't make north of 15$million in his twilight years. Good bye to Philbrin and good riddance...
Posted by: Dancing Scorpion | January 20, 2011 at 09:03 AM
They could name Kelly Osborne as Regis' replacement, then call the show "Wake Up with the Kellys."
Posted by: Grandpa | January 20, 2011 at 09:09 AM
I’m worried for Regis. He’s only 79. Without that $15 Million a year coming in how is he going to make ends meet once he quits working?
Posted by: Mike Baudic | January 20, 2011 at 09:52 AM
I hope I'm not still working at 79!
Posted by: Lee | January 20, 2011 at 01:40 PM
The guy is 79 years old, give him a break. Not too many 79 year old guys work the schedule he did, so let him retire, enjoy the money he earned, and live happily ever after. Maybe the agent kept pushing him to work, and did't really giving him the alternative to not work. So, Regis pushed back and showed him how much power he really did have. After all, the agent makes his commission off of how much his client works, right?
Posted by: BobbyCommentator | January 21, 2011 at 07:47 AM
I have watched & LOVED Regis for years.I always watched him & Kathy Lee But Him & Kelly Ripa are much better.She's not as whiney as Kathy lee & brings a newer insight.They make a great combo but don't know IF I'll watch without Regis.He HAS had a few medical problems lately so he deserves a vacation/retirement.I wish there were MORE shows like THIS instead of all the Jesey Shore,PG at 16,16 kids,sister wives etc. CRAP.Only people who are themselves kinda weird watch those kinds of reality shows.
Posted by: Kat | April 14, 2011 at 09:01 AM