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 5
Gifford 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.”
