Q&A With Regis and Joy Philbin on retirement, success and marriage

Regis Philbin may be getting set to retire from his daily show, "Live! With Regis and Kelly" but the 80-year-old wants to set the record straight - "I'm moving on; I'm not retiring."

One thing is for sure, Reege definitely isn't slowing down and he still has an incredibly sharp sense of humor. He and wife Joy Philbin have recently partnered with Advil for their TakeActionTakeAdvil campaign, among several other projects! I snagged an exclusive interview with everyone's favorite TV host and his sometimes co-host Joy earlier this week to get the scoop on their plans for the future, their favorite memories over the years, and their secrets to success in their careers and marriage.

Shine: We know you are leaving "Live!" November 18, let's talk about retirement.
Regis Philbin: It is so easy for people to say, 'What are you going to do when you retire?' In a sense I am retiring for awhile. I'm moving on from the show, not the business."

S: Is it true you are doing a reality show?
RP: Oh yeah, they [media] say I did a reality show and a pilot. I never did a pilot. You know reality television is so hot right now. There were a couple of calls about that and I was a little intrigued myself. I went out and spent a couple of hours with a camera doing real reality, and I came back, and they put together this 2 minute clip and it just wasn't for me. I just wanted to see what it felt like, and all of a sudden it became a pilot! (Laughs). As of now, no reality show in the works.

S: I know you two did an album together several years ago, would you consider doing one again?
RP: We enjoyed it very much. We have a little nightclub act that we do, and we've played in Atlantic City, Las Vegas, and all those places, and it has been a lot of fun. As a matter of fact we are doing it again this winter down in Palm Beach, Fla. and in Naples, Fla. It is the Florida tour!

Joy Philbin: The audiences are always very warm, very welcoming. It is because they all feel like Regis is one of their relatives. It is a very loose show, and we sing some duets together, and its fun.

S: Since you are both so musical, any chance you'd guest star on "Glee"?
RP: I don't think it has occurred to "Glee!" We are a little old for high school. I never even thought of that! I thought you were going to say, you know, something on Broadway.

S: Well would you do Broadway?
RP: Well, as a matter of fact something has been brought up. I don't know. That is 8 shows a week! And you know, I am doing 4-5 shows per week on television and I think I am exhausted doing that. Can you imagine doing that kind of schedule?

S: You are already pretty busy. Your book, "How I Got This Way is coming out November 15, right?
RP: Yes. It is a nice book about people who have affected me and inspired me over my laugh. How they did it, and what they stood for. It is good.

S: Clearly you've met a lot of inspiring people. Who were your favorite interviews?
RP: You are going to laugh, but in the early years about every two weeks we had a wrestler on from a local wrestling show in San Diego, Calif., and I loved those guys. They were outrageous! They were a lot of fun and I loved having them on, and that continued through the years. I always enjoyed a good wrestler. And they would always bring them back: Freddie Blassie, Hulk Hogan, all of these people.

S: Anyone else?
RP: I love having David Letterman on. You won't see him everywhere, but he does do our show from time to time. Don Rickles; I mean, I am just a fan of his humor and have been for half a century. There are certain people that you just can't get enough of - like Jimmy Kimmel. Oh and the movie stars, George Clooney - love George.

S: Is there anyone you have never had on the show that you would like to meet?
JP: Well, I just heard a name that you forgot to mention that will be -- or would have been [good], and that is Lady Gaga.

RP: Can't get Lady Gaga! Gelman [my producer] may try before my two months are over.

JP: Maybe she'll surprise you.

RP: Yeah! Maybe she would. I'd like to meet her, and see what it is all about. She is the hottest young act around these days.

S: What life lessons have you learned from the show?
RP: As far as being a co-host -- the way we do it which is non scripted, no meetings, no nothing, just come out and do it, so that you can get the full spontaneity of it -- you've got to be patient. You've got to understand that this is a co-host! They have their own ways to go, and believe me - over 26 years with Kathie Lee Gifford and Kelly Ripa, you gotta be patient! Let me tell you that. And that applies to your marriage, as well -- even longer when you are with Joy.

JP: A good friend of Regis', I won't mention his name, had gotten his own talk show and he asked Regis to impart some great knowledge of what makes you a success at it, and Regis said, 'Above all, you must listen. Listen, to what your guest is saying. And secondly, be yourself. Don't be somebody else that you admire; just be you.

RP: And it is important, especially when they [the guest] have something they want to say. So when they finish, you can't just go onto another topic most of the time. You have to reference what they are saying, and maybe draw another opinion out of them, or make your own opinion, but you've got to continue. There is a continuity there that you've got to think about and learn to use.

S: What are you most proud of about your career?
RP: As far as the career is concerned I am proud of the fact that we've been able to maintain the show for 29 years now. You know I came here in 1983 because I was born and raised in New York ... and they brought me here for ABC and started the show that I had done for them in Hollywood prior to that.

S: What is the secret to the success of the show?
RP: Well, I think it is that opening segment. I think that makes us different than everybody else. As long as you can keep that going, and entertain and interest people; that is the key, as far as I'm concerned.

S: You've been married for 41 years, what are you most proud of about your marriage?
JP: Well, I think Regis has really kept it fresh for me because there is always something ahead of us. Something new, something challenging, and he is just constantly open to every experience, and it's not like I could ever think of getting bored. Not for a moment.

RP: Well, you've got to explain and admit that it is mostly my job that makes all of these things possible.

JP: No I think it is your attitude. You never become complacent about anything and I think Regis and I have a great respect for each other, which is important in a marriage. [When] He did [Millionaire] and his morning show, he didn't want me to feel that this was going to change our lives, and he would still come home and say let's go out to dinner or something. You know, his stamina has always really impressed me.

RP: I am fading now though! (Laughs).

JP: Yeah, I am trying to prop him up, but it's not working (Laughs).

S: Clearly you two keep the romance in your relationship, what is your favorite date night?
RP: We have a place up in Connecticut that we go to on weekends, and there is a certain restaurant up there that we love. As a matter of fact, it is the same table every Saturday night, and Joy likes the lighting. It is kind of a romantic place for us. And we love having a cosmo.

JP: It is the same waiter, and he knows what we like.

RP: Yep, we walk in and the cosmos are right there.

S: That sounds like quite a date!

RP: Well, do you have a boyfriend?

S: (The famous interviewer turns the table on me!) I wish I did, but New York is a tough crowd I tell you.

RP: Really? Well, how tough is it?

S: Very tough! And I am a California girl, so…

RP: No kidding, and you came here to New York….

Reporter's Note: With Regis saying goodbye to Live! in less than two months, I for one will be sad to see him go. After this interview, it is clear that even at 80-years-old, he still hasn't lost his quick wit or endless talent to turn a conversation into a tell-all.