Who should replace Regis Philbin?
Actor, comedian and all-around charmer Martin Short has guest co-hosted with Ripa in the past. We think the pairing could potentially work if he brings back Jiminy Glick.
Rap Sheet: Short has his roots in The Second City and “Saturday Night Live,” and has worked extensively in comedy, television and film. (Jason Kempin/Getty Images)
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This week tenured television host Regis Philbin announced that this will be his final year on “Live With Regis and Kelly.” After the talk show lion takes his leave as host, who could possibly fill his shoes? Here’s a list of the show’s guest co-hosts and their likelihood of fitting into the role.
Generally a busy man, we can’t really see Donald bringing the Trump factor to “Live” every morning, even if it is only for an hour.
Rap Sheet: Trump has his own financial empire, reality television series on NBC and singular statement in hair pieces. (John W. Ferguson/Getty Images)
Another busy guy, Seinfeld has graced “Live” with his idiosyncratic New York wit. Seinfeld could definitely bring the chops required to fill the Philbin void.
Rap Sheet: Stand-up comedian turned ‘90s sitcom icon, Seinfeld is currently working in New York theater and making guest appearances on “The Marriage Ref,” which he also produces. (Larry Busacca/Getty Images for Sirius XM)
This frequent guest host has the most adorable and entertaining chemistry with co-host Kelly Ripa, because duh, they’re married.
Rap Sheet: Consuelos is largely known for his role on the soap opera “All My Children,” but has co-hosted “Live” so many times he might as well be on the payroll. Plus, you can get lost in his eyes. (Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images)
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Probst can ably handle any hosting job thrown his way, as he did with “Live.” As far as comedic timing is concerned, however, he’s no Regis...
Rap Sheet: Probst has a hefty list of hosting and producing jobs, including stints on “Access Hollywood” and “Rock & Roll Jeopardy,” and his continuous presence on “Survivor.” (Jason Merritt/Getty Images)
In terms of matching the energy Regis exudes daily on “Live,” O’Connell may be the best bet. Over-emoting, mugging and being unable to suppress a constant state of glee on television makes him a prime candidate.
Rap Sheet: O’Connell is mainly a sitcom and comedy film actor, his latest project being the CBS program “The Defenders,” in which he co-stars with Jim Belushi. (Christopher Polk/Getty Images for PCA)
Meyers is a relatively new addition to the co-host squad on “Live.” He did a great job, but being awake before 8 a.m. make take some getting used to for the “SNL” cast member.
Rap Sheet: Meyers got his start in improv comedy and is currently the head writer for “Saturday Night Live” and the “Weekend Update” host -- which pretty much guarantees he’ll never run out of material. (Bryan Bedder/Getty Images)
Lachey recently co-hosted “Live” in December and reminded us what a charming young man he is. However, if we want some eye candy on the show, we’ll go with Consuelos.
Rap Sheet: Lachey gained fame as a member of the boy band 98 Degrees and later won over America’s hearts with his then-wife Jessica Simpson on “Newlyweds,” proving that he can adequately do laundry and keep bees off his property. (Jordan Strauss/Getty Images for Vanity Fair)
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Ashton Kutcher and his publicists have tried to brand the actor as the goofy boy-next-door, which doesn’t quite gel with Philbin’s seasoned style. But then, change isn’t necessarily a bad thing.
Rap Sheet: Kutcher broke into America’s consciousness as dim-witted pretty boy Michael Kelso on “That ‘70s Show.” Since then he’s worked as producer and host of “Punk’d,” become Demi Moore’s much younger husband (aka Luckiest Man in the World) and built a reputation as perennial rom-com star. (Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images)
Harris’ outstanding job as Emmy host and his uproarious Twitter feed alone should be enough to land him a permanent co-hosting gig on “Live.”
Rap Sheet: Harris started out as child genius and doctor Doogie Howser, but was first widely recognized as a comedic talent for his small cameo in “Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle.” Since then he’s become a television mainstay on “How I Met Your Mother” and a considerable force on Broadway. (Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
Although he seems to be a considerably busy and important guy on CNN, Cooper always brings his comedic A-game to “Live” co-hosting gigs and cameos on “Saturday Night Live.”
Rap Sheet: Cooper has been a news correspondent on CBS, ABC and CNN and will host this own syndicated talk show this year. All this plus a foray into Broadway with “How To Succeed In Business” leaves time a little thin for a morning talk show. (Joe Corrigan/Getty Images)
