Why was Live With Regis And Kathie Lee so popular? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Hawkee · 01-14-2024, 05:24 AM

Ever since it began in 1988 in syndication I never understood how Live And Kathie Lee even became popular in the first place. I think it mainly became popular because this was Regis Philbin's shot at making it big as a celebrity and leading Regis toward other ventures in TV. But I think who took most of the glory was Kathie Lee Gifford because every time you watched an episode of Live With Regis And Kathie Lee Kathie Lee Gifford wanted to be the center of attention and would always be talking about her kids and family and what I think Kathie Lee Gifford was aiming for a dream of her own solo talk show. And because of her popularity Kathie Lee Gifford she launched a music career wrote books and became spokeswoman for Walmart and Regis Philbin later gained fame as the host of Who Wants To Be A Millionaire and before wrote books too. But I think the show's popularity took off when they did interviews with celebrities such as Bob Saget The Olsen Twins Tom Selleck William Shatner and other celebrities and when music stars were new and starting to promote their albums Live With Regis And Kathie Lee would have singers and bands like Michael Bolton Pearl Jam Garth Brooks Billy Joel REM Alicia Keys Keyshia Cole and Pink perform and I think that the show was a big ticket for new upcoming singers and bands to make their mark in the music industry. But I think when Kathie Lee Gifford left Live With Regis And Kathie Lee that meant the show went downhill and the show should've ended after that and I think the main reason why Kathie Lee left the show was so that she could prepare for her solo talk show. But now Kathie Lee Gifford has a career as a Christian artist these days

icecream · 01-14-2024, 03:21 PM

There are way too many talk shows that are/have been in broadcast syndication. But this was one I would have liked to see more of, Kathie Lee was Regis' co-host long before I had my own TV. I like their cameos on shows like Mad About You and Seinfeld. I have also heard about the good Christmas specials she used to have that I never saw. I know Kathie Lee is on Today now, but I don't really care for that overstuffed franchise.

Hawkee · 01-22-2024, 02:47 AM

I think why Live With Regis And Kathie Lee had such a popular fanbase was because when you put Regis Philbin in anything he was the reason shows got popular and when put with Kathie Lee Gifford she and Regis were a dynamic duo in talk shows. But what they could've done was cancel Live With Regis And Kathie Lee and given Regis his own solo talk show because I think whenever Kathie Lee Gifford left the show lost viewers and what could've been better is that they could've asked Joan Lunden to cohost with Regis Philbin rather than Kelly Ripa because Joan Lunden and Regis made a wonderful team since their days on the Disney Happy Easter Parade in the 90's and Live With Regis And Joan would've been a better title. But why I mainly think Kathie Lee Gifford quit was to focus on her music career because she was releasing albums that made her star shine bright

rusty spike · 01-22-2024, 04:13 PM

Regis had the reputation of speaking his mind and that was something different for a 1980s daytime show. He was highly opinionated about...everything. Prior to that, most daytime morning shows were mostly cheerful and upbeat. Regis was himself.

Here's a sample of how Regis would respond if asked about the weather in Chicago.

-Chicago has terrible weather. It stinks. Nobody wants to go to Chicago. I wouldn't want to go there if somebody gave me a kite.

What Regis might say about candy canes.

-Nobody wants them. I don't like them. Do you (looks at Kathy)? That's what I'm talking about. People don't care for candy canes.

I think people liked his show for speaking his mind, which wasn't very common back then. I think his production staff continually reminded him to to tone down his comments.

howierules86 · 01-22-2024, 05:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by icecream

There are way too many talk shows that are/have been in broadcast syndication. But this was one I would have liked to see more of, Kathie Lee was Regis' co-host long before I had my own TV. I like their cameos on shows like Mad About You and Seinfeld. I have also heard about the good Christmas specials she used to have that I never saw. I know Kathie Lee is on Today now, but I don't really care for that overstuffed franchise.

For the record, Kathie Lee Gifford left the fourth hour of Today in 2019 (I think) and got replaced by Jenna Bush Hager.

stevea · 01-23-2024, 07:57 AM

With tons of host changes over the years, isn't this show still going?

biffbronson · 01-23-2024, 09:23 AM

Yes -- currently it's "Live with Kelly and Mark" (Ripa and Consuelos).

howierules86 · 01-23-2024, 11:43 AM

^I could take Mark Consuelos as an occasional guest host, but regularly, no way.

FHCastmember · 02-04-2024, 03:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hawkee

Ever since it began in 1988 in syndication I never understood how Live And Kathie Lee even became popular in the first place. I think it mainly became popular because this was Regis Philbin's shot at making it big as a celebrity and leading Regis toward other ventures in TV. But I think who took most of the glory was Kathie Lee Gifford because every time you watched an episode of Live With Regis And Kathie Lee Kathie Lee Gifford wanted to be the center of attention and would always be talking about her kids and family and what I think Kathie Lee Gifford was aiming for a dream of her own solo talk show. And because of her popularity Kathie Lee Gifford she launched a music career wrote books and became spokeswoman for Walmart and Regis Philbin later gained fame as the host of Who Wants To Be A Millionaire and before wrote books too. But I think the show's popularity took off when they did interviews with celebrities such as Bob Saget The Olsen Twins Tom Selleck William Shatner and other celebrities and when music stars were new and starting to promote their albums Live With Regis And Kathie Lee would have singers and bands like Michael Bolton Pearl Jam Garth Brooks Billy Joel REM Alicia Keys Keyshia Cole and Pink perform and I think that the show was a big ticket for new upcoming singers and bands to make their mark in the music industry. But I think when Kathie Lee Gifford left Live With Regis And Kathie Lee that meant the show went downhill and the show should've ended after that and I think the main reason why Kathie Lee left the show was so that she could prepare for her solo talk show. But now Kathie Lee Gifford has a career as a Christian artist these days

The show actually got better ratings when Kathy left and Kelly replaced her. Kelly was/is better in every way.

Hawkee · 02-09-2024, 02:27 AM

Live With Regis actually got better ratings after Kathie Lee Gifford left? Because when the show was retitled Live With Regis the week after Kathie Lee Gifford left I thought people didn't like the format with Regis's rotating cohosts and so that's when Kelly Ripa got chosen after being a cohost on Live With Regis

Hawkee · 09-24-2025, 05:04 AM

In Latin the word "regis" means regal or king and when you looked at Regis Philbin he lived up to his name because he was the king of everything and I think that with Live With Regis And Kathie Lee Regis thought he would become an even bigger superstar but I think as I mentioned before Kathie Lee Gifford took most of the glory on that show and Live With Regis And Kathie Lee it started the trend of talk show host duos having talk shows of their own. But what I think caused Live With Regis And Kathie Lee to be successful was monster ratings and a devoted fanbase. But I think Regis Philbin should've had his very own solo talk show because he would've scored giant ratings by having his own talk show

howierules86 · 11-09-2025, 05:17 PM

I liked Regis Philbin as a talk show host! After he left, Live! got really boring IMO. I thought Michael Strahan was horrible and Ryan Seacrest wasn't any better. Neither is Mark Consuelos.

Hawkee · 03-11-2026, 04:03 AM

I also think why Live with Regis And Kathie Lee got strong ratings when it began in 1988 was because I think Regis Philbin had this fantasy in his mind that if he had a co-host on his talk show they would become the Superman and Lois Lane of talk show duos. Which is what Regis and Kathie Lee became when Live With Regis And Kathie Lee became a giant success. But I think had Kathie Lee not left the show Live With Regis And Kathie Lee would've had soaring ratings

01-14-2024, 05:24 AM	#1
Hawkee Michael Fassbender Fanatic Moderator Forum Star Join Date: Jan 17, 2016 Location: California Posts: 10,782	Why was Live With Regis And Kathie Lee so popular? Ever since it began in 1988 in syndication I never understood how Live And Kathie Lee even became popular in the first place. I think it mainly became popular because this was Regis Philbin's shot at making it big as a celebrity and leading Regis toward other ventures in TV. But I think who took most of the glory was Kathie Lee Gifford because every time you watched an episode of Live With Regis And Kathie Lee Kathie Lee Gifford wanted to be the center of attention and would always be talking about her kids and family and what I think Kathie Lee Gifford was aiming for a dream of her own solo talk show. And because of her popularity Kathie Lee Gifford she launched a music career wrote books and became spokeswoman for Walmart and Regis Philbin later gained fame as the host of Who Wants To Be A Millionaire and before wrote books too. But I think the show's popularity took off when they did interviews with celebrities such as Bob Saget The Olsen Twins Tom Selleck William Shatner and other celebrities and when music stars were new and starting to promote their albums Live With Regis And Kathie Lee would have singers and bands like Michael Bolton Pearl Jam Garth Brooks Billy Joel REM Alicia Keys Keyshia Cole and Pink perform and I think that the show was a big ticket for new upcoming singers and bands to make their mark in the music industry. But I think when Kathie Lee Gifford left Live With Regis And Kathie Lee that meant the show went downhill and the show should've ended after that and I think the main reason why Kathie Lee left the show was so that she could prepare for her solo talk show. But now Kathie Lee Gifford has a career as a Christian artist these days
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01-14-2024, 03:21 PM	#2
icecream Cat-tastic and Whiskerlicious Forum Celebrity Join Date: Sep 01, 2006 Location: The Catacombs Posts: 20,702	There are way too many talk shows that are/have been in broadcast syndication. But this was one I would have liked to see more of, Kathie Lee was Regis' co-host long before I had my own TV. I like their cameos on shows like Mad About You and Seinfeld. I have also heard about the good Christmas specials she used to have that I never saw. I know Kathie Lee is on Today now, but I don't really care for that overstuffed franchise.
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01-22-2024, 02:47 AM	#3
Hawkee Michael Fassbender Fanatic Moderator Forum Star Join Date: Jan 17, 2016 Location: California Posts: 10,782	I think why Live With Regis And Kathie Lee had such a popular fanbase was because when you put Regis Philbin in anything he was the reason shows got popular and when put with Kathie Lee Gifford she and Regis were a dynamic duo in talk shows. But what they could've done was cancel Live With Regis And Kathie Lee and given Regis his own solo talk show because I think whenever Kathie Lee Gifford left the show lost viewers and what could've been better is that they could've asked Joan Lunden to cohost with Regis Philbin rather than Kelly Ripa because Joan Lunden and Regis made a wonderful team since their days on the Disney Happy Easter Parade in the 90's and Live With Regis And Joan would've been a better title. But why I mainly think Kathie Lee Gifford quit was to focus on her music career because she was releasing albums that made her star shine bright

01-22-2024, 04:13 PM	#4
rusty spike Member Senior Member Join Date: Mar 08, 2015 Location: Southwest Posts: 1,124	Regis had the reputation of speaking his mind and that was something different for a 1980s daytime show. He was highly opinionated about...everything. Prior to that, most daytime morning shows were mostly cheerful and upbeat. Regis was himself. Here's a sample of how Regis would respond if asked about the weather in Chicago. -Chicago has terrible weather. It stinks. Nobody wants to go to Chicago. I wouldn't want to go there if somebody gave me a kite. What Regis might say about candy canes. -Nobody wants them. I don't like them. Do you (looks at Kathy)? That's what I'm talking about. People don't care for candy canes. I think people liked his show for speaking his mind, which wasn't very common back then. I think his production staff continually reminded him to to tone down his comments.

01-23-2024, 07:57 AM	#6
stevea 22 Years On Sitcoms Moderator Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 13, 2003 Location: Indy Posts: 44,533	With tons of host changes over the years, isn't this show still going?

01-23-2024, 09:23 AM	#7
biffbronson Sentimental Fool Forum Star Join Date: Aug 22, 2009 Location: Near Notre Dame Posts: 10,455	Yes -- currently it's "Live with Kelly and Mark" (Ripa and Consuelos).

01-23-2024, 11:43 AM	#8
howierules86 Member Forum Superstar Join Date: Dec 05, 2007 Location: Opelika, AL Posts: 29,577	^I could take Mark Consuelos as an occasional guest host, but regularly, no way.

02-09-2024, 02:27 AM	#10
Hawkee Michael Fassbender Fanatic Moderator Forum Star Join Date: Jan 17, 2016 Location: California Posts: 10,782	Live With Regis actually got better ratings after Kathie Lee Gifford left? Because when the show was retitled Live With Regis the week after Kathie Lee Gifford left I thought people didn't like the format with Regis's rotating cohosts and so that's when Kelly Ripa got chosen after being a cohost on Live With Regis

09-24-2025, 05:04 AM	#11
Hawkee Michael Fassbender Fanatic Moderator Forum Star Join Date: Jan 17, 2016 Location: California Posts: 10,782	In Latin the word "regis" means regal or king and when you looked at Regis Philbin he lived up to his name because he was the king of everything and I think that with Live With Regis And Kathie Lee Regis thought he would become an even bigger superstar but I think as I mentioned before Kathie Lee Gifford took most of the glory on that show and Live With Regis And Kathie Lee it started the trend of talk show host duos having talk shows of their own. But what I think caused Live With Regis And Kathie Lee to be successful was monster ratings and a devoted fanbase. But I think Regis Philbin should've had his very own solo talk show because he would've scored giant ratings by having his own talk show

11-09-2025, 05:17 PM	#12
howierules86 Member Forum Superstar Join Date: Dec 05, 2007 Location: Opelika, AL Posts: 29,577	I liked Regis Philbin as a talk show host! After he left, Live! got really boring IMO. I thought Michael Strahan was horrible and Ryan Seacrest wasn't any better. Neither is Mark Consuelos.

03-11-2026, 04:03 AM	#13
Hawkee Michael Fassbender Fanatic Moderator Forum Star Join Date: Jan 17, 2016 Location: California Posts: 10,782	I also think why Live with Regis And Kathie Lee got strong ratings when it began in 1988 was because I think Regis Philbin had this fantasy in his mind that if he had a co-host on his talk show they would become the Superman and Lois Lane of talk show duos. Which is what Regis and Kathie Lee became when Live With Regis And Kathie Lee became a giant success. But I think had Kathie Lee not left the show Live With Regis And Kathie Lee would've had soaring ratings