Exclusive: Regis on Why He's Returning to Daytime

By

Less than a year after his tenure on Live! with Regis and Kelly was ended and left fans wondering if he would ever return to the televisions in their living rooms, Regis Philbin is returning to television on Rachael Ray's talk show. The duo talked to ET exclusively on the exciting news.

Although the energetic Philbin has been keeping busy since his Live! departure, he has yet to have any official stay with a show since last fall. Upon what seemed like a farfetched request, Ray revealed how she landed him on the show as a monthly recurring guest.


VIDEO: Regis Philbin Gives Advice to Michael Strahan

"I love no one more than Regis and I love watching him, so we asked what we thought was a ridiculously bold question...'Would you like to come back to work and come chat with us?'" she said of attracting Philbin to her award-winning talk show.

Philbin, who originally began hosting Live! with Kathie Lee Gifford in 1985, said that signing on for the guest gig on Rachael Ray was a no-brainer for him due to his fondness for Rachael.

"I love coming here," Philbin said just outside the Rachael Ray set before a taping on Wednesday. "I've been a guest of Rachael's over the years...I love being with her. It's really an experience...She cooks for you; she tells you stories that you've never heard before in your life! It's great."


RELATED: Regis Philbin: Leaving His Show Is 'Bittersweet'

Ray, who also hosts cooking shows on the Food Network, made way for the man who holds the Guinness World Record for the most time spent on TV by offering him total freedom on her show, which premiered in 2006.

"We're going to let him be the boss of us," she said. "Whatever Reg wants--he's the Reg--Regis gets...We are here to service the master."

Check out the full video above to hear Regis' opinions on recent pop culture issues including Lindsay Lohan's recent run-in with the law.

Philbin's return to daytime will air on Monday on Rachael Ray. Check your local listings.