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Kathie Lee Gifford defends Regis Philbin among Kelly Ripa’s memories
Kathie Lee Gifford has no plans to read Kelly Ripa’s new diary where she discusses her power dynamics with the late Regis Philbin.
“I’m sorry about the headlines,” former TV presenter, 69, he said in an interview with Rosanna Scotto of Fox 5 on Monday.
“You know, you never know what’s true and what’s not. I went: “Hope that’s not true. I just hope that’s not the case. Because what’s the point? I don’t understand. I don’t understand, she continued.
Gifford was headed “Live! With Regis and Kathie Lee ”for over 10 years before Ripa took over the role in 2001.
A 52-year-old graduate of All My Children, then co-host of a daily talk show with the icon “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire” until 2011. He died in July 2020 at the age of 88.
In her upcoming book, Live Wire, Ripa said the “fundamental misunderstanding” was that she and Philbin were close friends outside of work.
Ripa stated in one excerpt from her book: “My name had to be smaller than Regis’s on Live! title card and branding. A game of inches that speaks for itself. But we agreed to it. After all, seniority.
She also claimed that Philbin didn’t like her from the start and he even called it “it.”
In contrast, Gifford said she had a special relationship with her former co-host, calling him the “best partner” she could have asked for.
“I just know who Regis was to me,” she continued.
“He was the best partner I could have had for 15 years professionally. But he was my friend. We were close friends, and after I left the show… for the next 20 years, we became better friends. Dear friends.
Gifford noticed they were so close she saw him only two weeks before he died.
“’This is the last time I hear Regis laugh,’ recalls Joy Philbin, widow of the deceased television personality, telling her of their last meal together before his death.
“Lord save Joy and the girls from this,” Gifford continued, referring to Philbin’s daughter Amy and son Daniel, whom he shared with his ex-wife Catherine Faylen, and his daughters Joanna and JJ, whom he shared with Joy.
“In all the years I’ve known him, I’ve never seen him mean anyone. I never did. All I’m saying is that my reality is completely different to this.
Asked if he had plans to pick up a copy of the diary, Gifford said, “I’m not going to read the book. I haven’t read it. I don’t even know if it’s over yet.
She then referred to Ripa, adding, “I’m not saying anything ugly about anyone. I never had, and I’m not going to start now.