(Image Source: WhoSay)

BY LAUREN ZIMA

Goodbye Regis, hello Rob? Regis Philbin went off the air from ABC’s Live! in November, and ever since speculation has run rampant about who could replace the TV icon. Now, it seems Rob Lowe is being serious considered.

Since Philbin left, various guest hosts have sat in that stool next to Kelly Ripa. Last week, actor Rob Lowe did for two days. On air, Lowe said he loved the gig.

LOWE: “I had so much fun yesterday.”
LOWE: “To sit next to you and have you be so darn, unrelentingly nice. I say keep it up.”

TMZ caught up with the actor at the airport post-gig, where life in NYC was on his mind. See what he said.

“I had a blast.”
“Do you think you could live in New York?”
“We were just talking about that. I love New York. I like the energy.”

And rumor-monitoring site Gossip Cop reports network execs were pleased as punch.

“Gossip Cop is told ABC is already in talks with Lowe’s people after the actor proved to be “a natural — really great,” says a network insider.”

Entertainment Weekly gives Lowe points for his interview skills, but questions if he’s the perfect replacement -- or if there is one at all. Kelly has welcomed several guest hosts since Regis’ departure, including Jerry Seinfeld, Neil Patrick Harris and Jerry O’Connell.

“ … Lowe today wrapped a largely enjoyable two-day stint at the talk show. … I’m torn on which host has best filled the Regis-sized void in my morning show-loving heart. (He’s not a large man, so it’s worth clarifying that the proverbial void is larger than you might think.)”

And despite how happy Lowe seemed about the prospect of the morning gig, Perez Hilton questions if he’ll leave his sitcom home.

“The only issue is that Lowe has a pretty sweet acting gig on Parks and Recreation, so we're going to doubt that he'll bite.”