(Image source: Zap2It)
 
BY BRICE SANDER

Say it ain’t so, Rege. After teasing his exit in January, Regis Philbin announced his final day as co-host on Live!
 
REGIS: “But I never gave you an exact date, so I’m pushing it back five years! Kidding, just kidding!”

REGIS: “But the date is Friday, November 18 - last day. But don’t worry, the show goes on of course. Kelly will begin trying out new co-hosts just like 11 years ago, when I did the same thing and found her!”

Philbin was originally poised to exit sometime this summer. So why the months-long push back? E! Online suggests it’s a business decision-
 
“As it turns out, he couldn't have picked a better day. The last hurrah will be smack in the middle of fall sweeps, ensuring a big boost in the ratings.”

The Wall Street Journal offers another explanation for keeping Regis on board for a few more weeks- courtesy of TV exec Ken Werner.
 
“Daytime is companionship television. This year, with all the changes, women will look around more than ever for their new companion … within 8 to 10 weeks of the new season, they settle on what they want to watch.”

Regis sticking around for a few more weeks might ensure the show viewers during daytime’s biggest changeover in decades. And- The Sun Sentinel argues another reason for the delay: lack of possible replacements.
 
“Anderson Cooper is doing his own syndicated program (although he probably wishes the ‘Live’ gig came open before he committed). Neil Patrick Harris is stuck in ‘How I Met Your Mother,’ which is produced on the West Coast. Jeff Probst is also committed to doing a syndicated show of his own, probably next season.”

Rege told the Hollywood Reporter he’d pick Dancing with the Stars host Tom Bergeron to take his seat. But- don’t expect an official announcement on Kelly’s new cohort until sometime in 2012.

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