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Wed, Jan 26 2011 | Published in *NEWS, COMMUNITY, GREG IN HOLLYWOOD, TV

Neil Patrick Harris, Anderson Cooper: Regis replacements?

By: Greg Hernandez


By Greg Hernandez

HollywoodNews.com: We learned earlier this month that soon-to-be 80-year-old Regis Philbin will be leaving ‘Live With Regis and Kelly’ either in late summer or early fall.

We’ll miss Regis – he is one of a kind.

So who will replace him alongside the wonderful Kelly Ripa?

‘Entertainment Weekly’ has amassed a list of top 10 candidates and listed the buzz and various pros and cons for each.

Since Regis has missed so many shows in recent years – particularly Fridays – we’ve gotten to see Kelly with various guest hosts. My two favorites have been Neil Patrick Harris and Anderson Cooper. She has great chemistry with both and both these guys have the smarts and charm to do the job and do it well.

Problem is, and ‘EW’ points this out, both are very in demand in other places. Anderson, who works as a newsman for CNN and for ‘60 Minutes,’ is also launching a syndicated talk show this fall called ‘Anderson.’ So he’s not going to have time now which is a pity.

Neil is still starring in the CBS sitcom ‘How I Met Your Mother,’ is a new father of twins and has plenty of movie and stage offers during his off time from the sitcom.

Here’s the rest of the list. I like some of the guys on it like Chris Cuomo, Jeff Probst and Mark Consuelos but Billy Bush would be too much like Regis!

‘Entertainment Weekly’ writes:

Ryan Seacrest: You can’t have a major talk show vacancy without his name coming up. He could clearly handle the job. The trick (as is the case with several names below) is working around his existing deals.

Jeff Probst: The ‘Survivor’ host is a superb interviewer, he has co-hosted the show in the past, and his contract is up this year.

Mario Lopez: Another former ‘Live!’ co-host. We’re told he’s potentially a popular contender, but that his deal with ‘Extra’ may hold things up.

Chris Harrison: ‘The Bachelor’ host is already in the ABC family. If he can handle crazed bachelorettes, surely he can work with sweet Kelly, right?

Mark Consuelos: Yup, Kelly’s husband. He’s an actor and reality show host. We’re hearing he’s an unlikely choice.

Chris Cuomo: The ‘20/20′ host is another ABC insider.

Anderson Cooper: Woulda-coulda-shoulda. He’s busy trying to get his own daytime talk show off the ground.

Billy Bush: Like Lopez, there’s an entertainment news program deal to work around — this time, with ‘Access Hollywood.’

To read more from this article go to Greg In Hollywood.

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