Regis Philbin Is Leaving Live!

So long, Regis.

After 28 years and three different co-hosts, Regis Philbin says this will be his last season on his morning talk show – the program currently known as Live! with Regis and Kelly.

"It's been a long time, it's been 28 years since I've been here. And it was the biggest thrill of my life," Philbin, who will turn 80 in August, said on the program Tuesday morning.

He added jokingly: "Everything must come to an end for certain people on camera, especially certain old people."

Philbin's program began in 1983 as The Morning Show, a local New York City broadcast which he co-hosted with Cyndy Garvey. Kathie Lee Gifford replaced Garvey in 1985, and the show, renamed Live! with Regis and Kathie Lee, went national in 1988.

Gifford left in 2000, and the show became Live with Regis for a season. It was renamed in 2001, when current co-host Kelly Ripa joined full-time.

"I think I can only speak for America, and all of us here, when I say it has been a pleasure and a privilege and a dream come true [working with you]," Ripa told Philbin on Tuesday. "And I wish I could do something to change your mind."

Sure, Regis Philbin is irreplaceable. But for the sake of argument, who could potentially fill his shoes when he retires from Live! with Regis and Kelly at the end of this season?

Mark Consuelos and Jeff Probst are possibilities. Both have guest-hosted in Philbin's absence, and Consuelos would have an easy time lobbying for the job – as he's married to current co-host Kelly Ripa.

Some other fun choices: comedian Kathy Griffin, who energizes any talk show she's on; Project Runway's Tim Gunn, who's a friend of the show; and Nick Cannon, who currently hosts his own morning radio program in New York City.

Kathy Griffin's Campaign Strategy for Levi Johnston: Go Shirtless

Move over, Jimmy Kimmel. Kathy Griffin is gunning to be Levi Johnston's campaign manager as he runs for mayor of Wasilla, Alaska, and she even has a strategy all dreamed up.

"The campaign would be based on me being the first lady," the comedian, who once feigned a relationship with Johnston for laughs, told People magazine. "But it would also be based on a celebration of Levi trolling the town shirtless – or being photographed in the shower in various stages of undress."

While Kimmel offered his services (in jest) a week ago, Griffin points out that the former Playgirl model's mayoral bid is less about "pomp and circumstance" and more about "pomp and naked stance."

While Franklin Roosevelt had his Fireside Chats, Griffin foresees something less formal – and less-clothed – during Johnston's potential term.

"We would probably do shower chats," she says, while attending the Audi & Chopard Pre-Emmy Party at Cecconi's in Beverly Hills, "semi-nude, or nude, from our place in Wasilla. Frankly, I think that's his ticket."

Kathy Griffin Banned from CNN

Following her very controversial F-bomb-dropping New Year's Eve hosting gig, CNN executives have decided Kathy Griffin will NOT be getting a 2011 invite. "She was a total embarrassment to the network that calls themselves 'The Most Trusted Name in News.' Even Anderson (Cooper, her co-host) thinks it's time to say goodbye to Kathy," a CNN insider tells me.

Not only did the potty-mouthed redhead drop the F bomb on live TV, she also made not-so-funny jokes about needing a "bump" of cocaine and asked Cooper if he pleasured himself while looking in the mirror. As sexy as the Silver Fox is ... that's just too much, Kathy.

Even worse than the comedienne's desperate need to shock was the fact that the show was a ratings bomb, as it fell far behind the family-friendly 'Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve' on ABC.

Still, CNN publicist Shimrit Sheetrit tells me: "No decisions have been made yet regarding next year's show."

Kathy Griffin's "Kate is Enough" Video from Jimmy Kimmel Live

Comedian Kathy Griffin sat down with Jimmy Kimmel last night on his late night show and told him about a new ‘movie’ project that she has completed. Entitled Kate is Enough, it is a parody of the mother of eight Kate Gosselin. Griffin enlisted the help of actor George Takei to play the role of Jon Gosselin and child actors to play the children.

The spoof is a takeoff of the TLC reality show Jon & Kate Plus 8. Kathy sports a Kate wig and her character catches Jon red handed with a girlfriend.

View the Kimmel video below, which includes the Kate is Enough footage at the 3:20 mark on the video slider.

Stars Voice Disapproval Over Gay Marriage Ban

Lance Bass, Ellen DeGeneres and Kathy Griffin have all voiced their disapproval at California officials' decision to uphold the state's gay marriage ban.

On Tuesday, the California Supreme Court opted not to overturn the ruling which came into effect under the Proposition 8 legislation late last year - six months after gay marriages were declared legal.

And celebrities, both gay and straight, have made it known how strongly they disagree with the current law.

Gay singer Lance Bass released a statement, saying, "I can only hope to one day live in a country that grants equal rights, opportunity, and freedom to all citizens."

And DeGeneres, who married her partner Portia de Rossi just before the ruling was overturned, believes it will be looked back on with contempt in the future.

She says, "I'm sure you heard the Prop 8 news. One day when everyone is treated with full equality, we'll look back and realise how wrong this was."

And comedian Kathy Griffin spoke of her pride in her grandmother who took to the streets to protest Proposition 8.

She explains, "My 89 year old mother has asked me to get her a wheelchair to take her to a protest tonight, even though she isn't in the greatest of health.

"She is neither gay, nor the parent of a gay person, but she is as passionate about this decision as I am. I am so proud to march with her. Shame on the CA Supreme Court for this decision that history will not look back on fondly."

L Word, Milk And Housewives Land Big Honors at GLAAD Media Awards

Lesbian drama The L Word, hit movie Milk and Desperate Housewives all picked up major honours at the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) Media Awards in Los Angeles on Saturday.

Comedienne Kathy Griffin was presented with the Vanguard Award and Ellen DeGeneres was honoured with the Outstanding Talk Show Episode for the program she dedicated to her same sex marriage to actress Portia De Rossi.

The L Word won a Special Recognition prize, Milk was named Outstanding Film and Desperate Housewives Outstanding Comedy Series.

The Outstanding Drama Series honour went to Brothers & Sisters.