That’s His Final Answer: Regis Philbin To Retire from Talk Show This Summer

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And America is left wondering who’s going to harass Gelman after the 79-year-old Rege leaves.

Regis announced this morning on his namesake show “Live! with Regis and Kelly” that he’ll vacate his seat later this year. “There is a time that everything must come to an end for certain people on camera, especially certain old people,” he joked. Regis has dealt with his fair share of health issues in the past few years, having underwent hip replacement surgery and a heart bypass.

(More on TIME.com: See Regis as one of the 15 best game show hosts.)

But he leaves with fond memories, calling it “the biggest thrill of [his] life.” He’s appeared each morning on “Live!” since its inception in 1988, sitting beside Kathie Lee Gifford. Kelly Ripa replaced Gifford in 2001. Philbin’s show has aired in New York since 1983, when it was previously called “The Morning Show.”

NewsFeed is sure Regis’s send-off show will be a party to rival all parties. Let the planning commence! (via Huffington Post)

See more about Regis’s departure from TIME’s TV critic at Tuned In.