Regis Philbin: A Welcome Presence Original Airdates: Aug. 7-9, 2020 TVC 503.1: TV Confidential dedicates our entire two-hour program this week to the life and career of Regis Philbin, the iconic talk show host and game show host who passed away on Friday, July 24 at age 88. In this segment, Tony, Donna, and Ed discuss Philbin’s roots in local television, including his years hosting A.M. Los Angeles, and how the success of A.M. Los Angeles spurred other U.S. markets into creating similar local morning talk shows.
When Regis Philbin Gave an Assist to Former NBA Star Tommy Hawkins Original Airdates: Aug. 7-9, 2020 TVC 503.2: From February 2012: Former NBA star and pioneer TV broadcaster Tommy Hawkins tells Ed how he landed his stint as host of Mid-Morning Los Angeles after fellow Notre Dame graduate Regis Philbin encouraged him to audition for the job.

Behind the Scenes of the Disney Christmas Parade Original Airdates: Aug. 7-9, 2020 TVC 503.3: Our colleague Greg Ehrbar shares some memories of working with Regis Philbin, Joan Lunden, and Mayim Bialik behind the scenes on the annual Disney Christmas Parade telecasts in the early 1990s.

Regis Philbin: Disney Legend Original Airdates: Aug. 7-9, 2020 TVC 503.4: Greg Ehrbar tells Ed about what made Regis Philbin an official Disney Legend. Greg worked with Philbin for many years on the annual Disney Christmas Parade telecasts. Regis Philbin passed away on Friday, July 24 at age 88.

Regis Philbin: A Great Connector Original Airdates: Aug. 7-9, 2020 TVC 503.5: Television historian Steve Beverly joins Ed for an in-depth look at Regis Philbin’s game show career with ABC, including The Neighbors, Almost Anything Goes, and Who Wants to Be a Millionaire, include how Philbin’s ability to connect with contestants instantly helped make Millionaire into a huge hit.

Regis Philbin and The Joey Bishop Show Original Airdates: Aug. 7-9, 2020 TVC 503.6: From June 2016: Phil Gries and Ed discuss Regis Philbin’s turbulent stint as the announcer and on-air sidekick on Joey Bishop’s late night talk show (ABC, 1967-1969), including archived audio footage from Nov. 26, 1969—the night that Bishop stepped down as host on the air, about ten minutes into the program, after ABC had informed him earlier in the day that it had canceled the show. This segment includes audio footage of Philbin speaking extemporaneously that night about how Bishop went to bat for him, despite ABC’s efforts to drop Regis from the show, plus highlights from Phil’s interview with Bishop from 2002 in which Bishop discussed his relationship with Philbin, on and off the air.

Regis Philbin: Letterman’s Go-to Guest Original Airdates: Aug. 7-9, 2020 TVC 503.7: Tony, Donna, and Ed with some final thoughts on the legacy of Regis Philbin, including his many appearances on David Letterman’s late night talk show.