Regis Philbin Talks Leaving 'Live,' Kissing Letterman

After an astonishing five decades on live television, Regis Philbin is hanging up his hat and saying goodbye to "Live!" But he's not going out without a few last words -- Philbin is taking a long look back at his career in How I Got This Way, a new book filled with affectionate portraits of celebrities like David Letterman, Jack Nicholson and Howard Stern.

So are you going to be crying on Friday?

You want me to cry, Nicki? I'll cry. Everybody's asking me, 'Are you going to cry?' No, I'm not going to cry. I'm going to celebrate 28 and a half wonderful years.

And you're in the Guinness World Records book.

Yes I'm approaching 17,000 hours on TV. I think it's pretty incredible.

You had some tough times. Did you ever contemplate quitting?

I really never did because I didn't know what else I could do. I got so involved in the TV business that I just never considered anything else. I just thought something will come my way and sometimes it took a long time.

Your gift is thinking on your feet and being able to tell a story.

I think that's probably my strong suit. I discovered that 50 years ago on a little show I was doing in San Diego. I would do the news during the week and I would have a talk show on Saturday nights. I'm not a joke teller but I could always tell a story when I was a kid growing up in the Bronx. That's how it started. I would tell stories and try to have a happy ending or a funny ending and that became my strong suit, I think.

Do you really believe you have a black cloud over your head?

Not anymore. I spent 28 years out in Hollywood and now these 28 years here in New York. The first 28 years were up and down. There was a struggle in the beginning here to get the show rolling and then it became a hit. It's been a nice conclusion to a life.

Why do you think Letterman loves you so much?

David Letterman came on the show today [Wednesday]. I showed some clips of us together. At the end he got up out of his chair, said goodbye and reached over and gave me a full, full-lipped kiss.

Tongue?

You know Nicki, did you say tongue?

You set me up!

It's funny you should say that because Kelly said, 'I thought I saw tongue.' There was no tongue! If The Huffington Post cares about the tongue, that's what's going to be talked about all the time. I'm going on his show tomorrow night [Thursday] to explain that The Huffington Post said to me, 'Tongue?'

How much of your success is due to Joy?

Oh a lot. She's very smart and all the major decisions have been made by her. I'd still be out of work in L.A. if it wasn't for her.

Do you really get in a bad mood if Notre Dame loses?

Very bad mood. I'm trying to overcome it. I used to kick buckets and get crazy and complain on the air over the years. I'm getting a little bit better but I can't conquer it altogether.

So what are your plans?

I thought one day it was all going to come to an end and I decided one and a half years ago that this was the end -- it doesn't mean I'm not going to go back to work. I just don't know what I'm going to be doing after I leave here. I think I'll do some more TV down the line. I just haven't heard the right thing yet.

So who do you like working with better, Kathie Lee or Kelly?

I think they're both adorable women, good looking, opinionated, smart. Maybe I trained them to be like that, I don't know. I'm kidding, Nicki, I'm kidding!

REGIS'S BIGGEST MOMENTS:

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• TV Hosts Regis Philbin and Kathie Lee Gifford

  053374 01: UNDATED FILE PHOTO: TV hosts Regis Philbin and Kathie Lee Gifford kid around for the camera during a studio session. (Photo by Liaison)

• Regis Phibin Talks About His New Show on "The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson" -- 1981

  Regis Philbin talked about his new morning show on "The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson" in 1981. This was before Regis' long reign, back when the world was unsure of how the show would do. He even called Johnny Carson "the king" for his nineteen years hosting "The Tonight Show."

• Joey Bishop, Regis Philbin, and Sammy Davis

  Catch Regis from his days as Joey Bishop's sidekick. He banters with Bishop and guest Sammy Davis Jr. about their threads and beads.

• Regis Philbin Going Bonkers For Crackers

  Regis Philbin in an 80's commercial goes bonkers over some Harvest Crisp crackers.

• Regis Philbin - My Personal Workout

  Regis works out all over New York City in the introduction to his workout video. He looks svelte in a black workout suit as he talks about his cardio routine -- he says he needs it to get the energy to handle Kathie Lee! See what she has to say about that.

• Regis Philbin and Marco

  Regis introduces Marco, a hairstylist from San Francisco, to the show.

• Regis With The Ramones

  The Ramones -- Joey, Dee Dee, Johnny and Marky -- talk to Regis and Kathy Lee back in 1988.

• The Wonder Years- Behind the Scenes

  Join Regis Philbin of during a taping of "Live!- with Regis and Kathie Lee." Regis goes backstage of that seminal 80s dramedy, "The Wonder Years." He tours the real life RFK Jr. Middle School with Fred Savage and interviews Fred on his future plans (Fred hints at Directing someday). Regis then chats with Fred's mother, Joanne and his little brother, Ben (who would go on to star in his own ABC sitcom. Regis then raps with Josh Saviano ("Paul") about geekdom in real life. Before finishing his tour in the costume department, Regis joins 'Winnie' during her geometry class. It seems prophetic that Danica Mckellar herself would become a math wiz. All this was shot during the filming of "The St. Valentine's Day massacre" episode. In which Ben cameos as Cupid gone wrong. This classic series won't be available on DVD for the foreseeable future, so please enjoy this Bonus feature. "Wonder Years" -courtesy of New World Television and created by Neal Marlens & Carol Black. "Live- with Regis and Kathie Lee"- property of Buena Vista TV and WABC. Episode recorded off KVVU Fox 5 Winter 1990

• Regis Terrifies Meryl Streep

  Regis terrified Meryl Streep in this classic moment on "Live!" He read the cue card wrong -- and the result was like a "shot to my heart!" Meryl said.

• Regis Faces Off With Justin Timberlake

  Two show biz greats went head to head when Regis and Justin faced off in a game of ping-pong. Regis did not let Justin's Mickey Mouse past go unmentioned -- and there were more than a few gasps let out during the friendly match.

• Regis Smacks Nicki Minaj's Butt

  Regis certainly left an impression on Nicki Minaj when the singer joined the set of the show on its Las Vegas trip. He surprised her with a smack on her butt -- and then proceeded to shock her with an off-color joke.

• Regis Strips At Snooki's Request

  Regis ripped a hole in the time-space continuum when he stripped at Snooki's request. That's right -- the Reege let it all hang out on his upper half.

• Regis Reads Sex for Dummies

  Regis' reading of "Sex for Dummies" starts off with, "There's one page in here that Dr. Ruth specifically wrote for me." That page starts off with "I'm too old to have sex." Listen to the Reege utter the phrase "sexual apparatus."

• Kramer coffee table book on "Regis & Kathie Lee"

  TV Show: Seinfeld Title: "The Opposite" Season 5 Episode 86 Original Airdate: May 19, 1994 Summary: Kramer (Michael Richards) appears on "Live! with Regis & Kathie Lee" to promote his coffee table book about coffee tables.

• Regis Philbin Hangs Out with Phineas and Ferb

  Phineas and Ferb seek advice from Regis Philbin. In this clip, Regis demonstrates his love of hip hop, singing out "Squirrels in my pants!"

• Brian Williams Does His Impression of Regis Philbin for David Letterman

  Brian Williams tells Dave about flying in a private jet with Regis Philbin -- and does a killer impression along the way.

• This advertisement provided by PepsiCo Inc., shows Regis Philbin after issuing a "Free Pepsi For Life" check to a Coca-Cola delivery driver, in a Pepsi Max cola war ad scheduled to air during Super Bowl XLVI, Sunday, Feb. 5, 2012. (AP Photo/PepsiCo Inc.)

• Bill Murray; Regis Philbin; David Letterman

  In this photo provided by CBS, retired daytime talk show host Regis Philbin, left, joins host Dave Letterman, center, and actor Bill Murray on New York's 53rd Street during taping of the “Late Show with David Letterman, Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2012. Murray kick some filed goals with Letterman holding the football. Philbin dressed as an official. (AP Photo/CBS, John Paul Filo)

• TONY BENNETT, REGIS PHILBIN

  In this Nov. 15, 2011 image released by Disney-ABC Domestic Television, singer Tony Bennett, left, is shown with host Regis Philbin on "Live! with Regis and Kelly," in New York. The segment aired Tuesday as part of Regis' last week as host of the popular morning show. (AP Photo/Disney-ABC Domestic TV, David Russell)

• Regis Philbin

  In this Oct. 28, 2011 Regis Philbin reads a newspaper in his office before a broadcast of "Live! with Regis and Kelly", in New York. After ruling morning television for 28 years as New York's Everyman-about-town, the co-host who made performance art of TV gab is exiting what for a decade has been known as "Live! With Regis and Kelly." His last day is Nov. 18. (AP Photo/Charles Sykes)

• Regis Philbin

  Television host Regis Philbin throws out a ceremonial pitch before the baseball game between the New York Yankees and the Minnesota Twins on Monday, Sept. 19, 2011, at Yankee Stadium in New York. (AP Photo/Kathy Kmonicek)

• Regis Philbin, Kelly Ripa

  In this image from video released by Disney-ABC Domestic Television, co-hosts Regis Philbin, left, and Kelly Ripa are shown during the broadcast of "Live with Regis and Kelly," Tuesday, Jan. 18, 2011, in New York. Philbin announced Tuesday that he will be retiring from the show this year. Philbin has hosted the morning talk show for more than a quarter-century, most recently sharing hosting duties with Kelly Ripa. (AP Photo/Disney-ABC Domestic Television)

• Regis Philbin

  FILE - In this June 27, 2010 photo, host Regis Philbin arrives at the 37th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards, in Las Vegas. Philbin says he'll retire from his talk show on Nov. 18, 2011. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello, File)

• Regis Philbin, Kelly Ripa

  Regis Philbin and Kelly Ripa appear on Regis' farewell episode of "Live! with Regis and Kelly", in New York, Friday, Nov. 18, 2011. After more then 28 years, Philbin signed off U.S. morning television on Friday, long after setting a world record for the most time on TV. Philbin, 80, has logged more than 17,000 hours on television in a career that dates back to the 1960s. He gained prime-time fame as host of "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire" a decade ago. But his enduring impact was as a morning show host, turning stories about something as simple as a dinner out on the town into compelling viewing. (AP Photo/Charles Sykes)

• Novak Djokovic, Regis Philbin, Kelly Ripa

  In a photo provided by Disney-ABC Domestic Television, U.S. Open tennis tournament men's champion Novak Djokovic, left, of Serbia, appears with Kelly Ripa and Regis Philbin, right, on "Live with Regis and Kelly" on Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2011, in New York. (AP Photo/Disney-ABC Domestic Television, Heidi Gutman) TABLOIDS OUT ARCHIVE OUT

• Today

  In this image released by NBC, host Kathie Lee Gifford, left, poses with guest Regis Philbin during the "Today" show broadcast on Thursday, Jan. 19, 2012 in New York. (AP Photo/NBC, Peter Kramer)

• Regis Philbin, Michael Bloomberg

  New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, left, and Regis Philbin appear on Philbin's farewell episode of "Live! with Regis and Kelly", in New York, Friday, Nov. 18, 2011. After more then 28 years, Philbin signed off U.S. morning television on Friday, long after setting a world record for the most time on TV. Philbin, 80, has logged more than 17,000 hours on television in a career that dates back to the 1960s. He gained prime-time fame as host of "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire" a decade ago. But his enduring impact was as a morning show host, turning stories about something as simple as a dinner out on the town into compelling viewing. (AP Photo/Charles Sykes)

• David Letterman, Regis Philbin

  In this photo provided by CBS, morning talk show host Regis Philbin, Left, joins fellow host David Letterman on the set of the “Late Show with David Letterman, Thursday, Nov. 17, 2011 in New York. Philbin explained how host David Letterman kissed him on the lips when Letterman made a guest appearance on his show earlier in the week. Philbin does his last show as host of “Live with Regis and Kelly,” Friday, Nov. 18, 2011. (AP Photo/CBS, John Paul Filo) MANDATORY CREDIT; NO SALES; NO ARCHIVE; NORTH AMERICAN USE ONLY

• Tony Bennett And Susan Benedetto Host 6Th Annual Exploring The Arts Gala

  NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 04: Regis Philbin attends the 6Th Annual Exploring the Arts Gala hosted by Tony Bennett and Susan Benedetto at Cipriani 42nd Street on October 4, 2012 in New York City. (Photo by Larry Busacca/Getty Images for Exploring The Arts)

• New York Giants Super Bowl Pep Rally Luncheon

  NEW YORK, NY - FEBRUARY 01: (EXCLUSIVE COVERAGE) Regis Philbin and Kathy Lee Gifford attend the New York Giants Super Bowl Pep Rally Luncheon at Michael's on February 1, 2012 in New York City. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for New York Giants)

• 2012 International Emmy Awards

  This Nov. 19, 2012 photo released by Starpix shows event host Regis Philbin at the 40th International Emmy Awards in New York. (AP Photo/Starpix, Andrew Toth)