Nobody panic … no rash decisions have been made about filling Regis Philbin’s shoes. In fact, if you’re waiting on bated breath to see who will sit next to Kelly Ripa – you better just relax. Producers are seemingly in no hurry to find their nearly irreplaceable replacement.
Executive Producer Michael Gelman tells the AP’s Frazier Moore that a decision is not imminent. The “dating” game, as he calls it, is still underway.
“We have enjoyed a lot of people who have already co-hosted, and we’re bringing a bunch of 
them back for more ‘dates.’” Gelman said.
Who’s being asked back? Jerry O’Connell, Dana Carvey, Seth Meyers and Michael Strahan appear to be on the list of potential candidates.
“But I’m not saying there’s a short-list,” says Gelman. “Every day we come up with new ideas, and we get new revelations about who the new host should or shouldn’t be. The chemistry is key — and not just with Kelly, but with the audience and the staff and the format.”
One name that’s being bandied about is Howie Mandel. Even though Mandel isn’t on anyone’s “list” … he’s the topic of serious Internet rumors. Regis has been gone for a few months now … and Kelly seems to be holding down the fort adequately.
But – for the record – my money is on the neurotically goofy Mandel. Just Sayin’.
