A Throwback to the Good Old Days
It's always heartwarming when celebrities take a moment to reminisce about the good old days, and Kathie Lee Gifford did just that by sharing a nostalgic photo with her late cohost Regis Philbin. The legendary duo had a moment to remember when they welcomed the Spice Girls to their show back in the '90s. Now, Kathie Lee, 70, has taken to Instagram to bring this unforgettable memory back to life.
Sharing the photo on Instagram, Kathie Lee captioned it with a sweet throwback message: “An unforgettable day with the fabulous Spice Girls and Regis! Spice up your life, indeed! ✨ #TBT.” This post not only celebrates the iconic Spice Girls but also honors the cherished memories she shared with her beloved cohost, Regis Philbin.
A Star-Studded Encounter
In the picture, Regis stands proudly with the Spice Girls—Mel B, Melanie C, Emma Bunton, Geri Halliwell, and Victoria Beckham. His arms are crossed, and he looks every bit the seasoned TV host welcoming one of the biggest pop sensations of the decade. Meanwhile, Kathie Lee playfully makes a face as she stands by his side in a chic black dress, clearly enjoying every moment of this star-studded encounter.
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This memorable appearance by the Spice Girls happened in 1997, just as their breakout hit "Wannabe" was making waves in the U.S. The girl group was at the height of its fame, and their visit to "Live With Regis and Kathie Lee" became one of the many iconic moments during the show's run. It was a time when the world seemed to stop and tune in for these unforgettable celebrity appearances.
Life After the Show
Kathie Lee left the talk show in 2000 to join the "Today" family, paving the way for Kelly Ripa to step into her shoes. But the bond she shared with Regis remained unbroken. In 2011, when Regis marked his final episode of "Live," Kathie Lee returned to the show to pay tribute to her longtime friend and partner. Regis, who passed away on July 24, 2020, at the age of 88, left behind a legacy that continues to inspire and entertain.
In a heartfelt statement, Regis' family shared their grief and gratitude: “We are deeply saddened to share that our beloved Regis Philbin passed away last night of natural causes, one month shy of his 89th birthday. His family and friends are forever grateful for the time we got to spend with him—for his warmth, his legendary sense of humor, and his singular ability to make every day into something worth talking about. We thank his fans and admirers for their incredible support over his 60-year career and ask for privacy as we mourn his loss.”
Kathie Lee fondly remembers her last visit with Regis and his wife, Joy Philbin, shortly before his passing. “They came over about two weeks ago,” she recounted during a "Today" appearance. “I saw Reg get out of the car with Joy, and I could sense much more fragility than I had noticed since the last time I saw him in January out in Los Angeles.”
Despite the obvious signs of Regis' declining health, the trio shared a joyful time together on Kathie Lee’s porch. “We laughed ourselves sick,” she reminisced. “Regis and I became dear friends over the years. Every chance we got, we’d meet up, and it was always like picking up right where we left off. We had the best time together.”
After leaving "Today" in 2019, Kathie Lee moved to Nashville full-time. However, she felt compelled to return to the East Coast when she heard about Regis' final hours. “Something told me the other day when I was in Tennessee, ‘Get on a plane and go home.’ I didn’t know why, but I’ve learned to listen to that voice,” she explained. “I got on a plane, came home, and immediately heard the news about Regis.”
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