Regis Philbin: Reality TV star? It could happen!
The exiting "Live with Regis and Kelly" host -- who takes his final bows on Nov. 18 after 28 seasons -- recently told USA Today that he's "in talks" regarding some projects, including a reality show and a sitcom.
"There are several things that interest me," he said. "You know those reality shows? I would love to do a real reality show where Regis goes out. ... I did a little pilot for somebody last week in L.A."
Philbin said he even has a name for his possible reality show: "This Week with Regis!"
Leaving a longtime showbiz gig behind is hard no matter what your age; at 80, with over 40 years in front of the camera, Philbin could have a harder time than some -- which may be why he isn't so ready to make his final farewells.
"It's hard to even believe that it's going to happen," he said. "I just put it aside in my head, and as the time grows short, I'll probably really feel the effects of it. Right now, it's two and a half months away. It's never going to happen."
But no matter what happens next for Philbin, it'll happen after a well-deserved break. "I'd like to take some time off. That's why I haven't made the decision yet," he explained.
What will he do during that time off? In 2010, when he hosted the Daytime Emmy Awards, he told this writer that if he had six months with nothing to do, his ideal downtime would include lots of travel.
"I think I would really go around the world and see what it’s all about," he said. "Over the years you get a week here and maybe two weeks there; if you take a cruise to the Caribbean that’s one thing but I’m talking about really doing it all. Though now you have to worry about Somali pirates to worry about, so that might not be a good idea."
Still, whatever his decision about the future, Philbin is well aware of those already out there who could sink his reality ship.
"How do you compete with the Kardashians?" he wondered during his interview with USA Today. "Regis on the street -- I'm no Kim Kardashian."
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