Kelly Ripa hosted before Kelly Ripa. “Live” with Regis Philbin in 2001, Kathie Lee Gifford co-hosted the show with Philbin, whom she had a great relationship with on and off-camera. Gifford didn’t like the news that Ripa had published a book and her awkward off-camera relationship to Philbin. Interview with Fox 5Gifford explained. “I’m not going to read the book. I haven’t read it. I don’t even know if it’s out yet.”She recalled how Philbin was remembered to her. “He was 15 years the best partner I could ever have professionally. But he was my friend” (via Us Weekly). She stated that they had never argued, despite having worked together for more than a decade. She also said that she never considered him unkind to anyone.
Ripa spoke out candidly about Philbin’s relationship in her new book. “Live Wire: Long-Winded Short Stories,”She praised his talent but also suggested that it wasn’t always easy for them. She said People, “I don’t want to feel like I’m slamming anyone or that I’m being disrespectful. But I also want people to know it was not a cakewalk.”
Gifford spoke out to Fox 5 about her feelings regarding Ripa’s comments. “I’m not going to say anything ugly about anybody. I never have, and I’m not going to start now.”