(Image source: Disney/ABC)

BY LAUREN ZIMA

Longtime TV host Regis Philbin gave his final performance on “LIVE! with Regis and Kelly” Friday, and the reviews are in.

Philbin holds the Guiness Book of World Records for most hours logged on TV, and he’s been hosting LIVE! for 28 years, so the send-off needed to be spectacular. Celeb guests filled the audience, including Donald Trump and former LIVE! co-host Kathie Lee Gifford. Philbin’s current co-host, Kelly Ripa, teared up throughout the show, but Philbin maintained his promise not to cry. Here’s his farewell.

REGIS PHILBIN: “I’ll always remember spending these mornings with all of you. So thank you very much for these great years together, God bless you all and I hope I see you again real soon. Thanks everybody! (applause)”

HitFix says Philbin’s instincts for the special were dead on.

“...he didn't want to go out on a treacly, gooey note. He just wanted to say he had a good time and walk out with his head held high. There's a reason why he's an institution.”

But Entertainment Weekly says the show didn’t live up to that institution.

“The last, heavily scripted Live hour was loaded with pre-taped segments …  that contained nary a second of what made Regis Regis: spontaneity. … The best non-Regis moment came from Kelly Ripa’s speech to him … it was touching. Not so touching? The ad immediately afterward touting ‘the first Live with Kelly show on Monday!’ The machine must roll on...”

So what’s next for Philbin, and for the show?

Though he’s 80 years old, Philbin has noted that he’s not retiring, just “moving on.” That statement came amidst rumors that Disney, which owns ABC, wanted to aim for a younger audience with the show and offered Philbin a contract that insulted him. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution spoke with Philbin, who said:

“‘Rather than get involved with another year-deal or whatever they wanted, I made up my mind to leave ABC … They offered me something. The contract wasn’t that alluring.’ … Speculation is now rife that another network or syndicator might pick him up and give him another show.”

Still, Disney’s Michael Iger was on hand for Regis’ last show, and told Philbin a plaque would be placed for him at the studio. Iger spoke with The New York Times afterward about finding a new permanent replacement for Philbin, saying:

““We’re just not going to rush this … It may take six months or longer. There is no deadline.

For now, comedian Jerry Seinfeld will co-host with Kelly Ripa next week.