It’s been over half a year since Regis Philbin, 80, retired, and Live! with Kelly has continues to pair Kelly Ripa, 41, with a various assortment of male celebrity fill-ins. Ratings have actually spiked, but no suitor has materialized as a permanent co-host.
Replacing Regis isn't easy, as he came from an old-world that only Don Rickles, 86, vaguely remembers. Regis was an impatient grouch who built the show around jaded banter with Kathy Lee Gifford, 58, mellowing slightly when paired with the younger, shinier Ripa in 2001.
Now, producers need to reinvent the show, and are veering towards (surprise!) an attractive 40-ish married or gay male, ideally someone with kids who watches The Bachelor and intensely follows mainstream popular culture. Live!'s format also requires an intense "host talk" of up to 20 minutes each day, demanding a very personal "sibling bond" between the two hosts.
Anderson Cooper, 45, is Ripa’s ideal co-host, but doesn’t want or need the job. He is certainly the worldly, modest-yet-commanding figure the show is seeking. Neil Patrick Harris, 39, has hosted regularly, but is currently too busy with other projects to take on Live! full-time. It’s also questionable if their egos could co-exist full-time, or if his current popularity is little more than a "fad."
Ripa’s always leering husband, Mark Consuelos, 41, would be a good candidate, but It would leave them little breathing room for their personal lives, especially since Kelly’s usual shtick already evolves around their life and kids. Their combined plastic personas may also come off as sterile and perhaps a bit queasy to the average American.
Actor, Jerry O’Connell, 38, wants the job and is a leading candidate, but Live! isn’t willing to take the plunge with him full-time. He’s a fine “celebrity host,” as someone mildly famous and marginally likeable. But as a full-time host, he lacks confidence and major star appeal, a possible ratings sink over the long run.
Musician, Gosh Groban, 31, may be a bit young to relate with Ripa full-time. Again, he’s a decent regular “guest” host, but no long-term solution. It would also be an unfortunate and misguided career move.
Entertainer, Nick Lachey, 38, would dumb down the show even more. and might not appeal to older women.
Reality show host, Chris Harrison, 41, isn’t at all interesting or exciting. Is he really a Disney robot?
Ex-football player, Michael Straham, 40, has shown some chemistry but may not be able pull off a daytime persona long-term. He also lacks a connection to middle America housewives, who might not initially warm up to his looming presence.
Ex talk show host, Howie Mandel, 56, is a serial failed host and a total weirdo, famously refusing to shake guests hands without rubber gloves.
Commentator, Bryant Gumbel, 63, is way too serious for the role. Kelly's mind would explode.
Comedians, Martin Short, 62, and Dana Carvey, 57, are both past their primes and may overshadow Ripa.
Probably the worst hosts have included actor, Johan Hill, 28, who acted like a spoiled frat boy doped up on Niquil, along with a long list of meatheads such as sports commentator, Jesse Palmer, 33. A few more desperate picks, such as local news anchor, Pat Kiernan, 49, drop by from time-to-time to add a dose of bush-league ambiance.
As a ratings gimmick experiment, Live! with Kelly is now taking submissions to be the next host, or at least host-for-a-day. That means they aren’t yet sold on any previous “celebrity,” and are willing to take a chance on someone obscure that could keep up with Kelly. Make no mistake, however, it won’t be an easy pick.
Submissions require a whopping 60 seconds or less, and a single sentence describing your interests. Due June 29, 2012. http://dadt.com/live/contest/cohostsearch/12/
My, how first impressions do tell!
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d.anderson 2012
