“Live with Mario and Kelly”: Mario Lopez in Talks to Replace Regis

Tabloid show host and schmoozer extraordinaire, Mario Lopez, is hinting at the possiblity that he may be replacing talk show host Regis Philbin.

Philbin, 80, announced his planned Nov. 18 retirement on the air at the beginning of the year.

When asked if he was in “discussions” to replace Philbin for the gig, Lopez let out a coy laugh and began searching for the right words.

“Like I said, I’ve filled in before, I hope to fill in again, and we’ll see…” he told Piers Morgan Tonight. “I’m honored that I’m even talked about.”

Lopez is currently a regular guest celebrity host on the tabloid television show, Extra, while occassionally subbing for Philbin.

Credit should go to ABC for managing to successfully keep a lid on who will take Regis’ seat.

As early as June, reports ranging from a wide-open field of candidates, to a short list of names have been sent to press predicting the replacement.

Ryan Seacrest, Bravo TV host Andy Cohen, as well as co-host Kelly Rippa’s husband, Mark Consuelos were reported in June to have rounded-out the short list of names to fill the gap, according to Xfinity news blogs.

Normally talkative sidekick Rippa has managed to keep the replacement for Philbin under wraps, as well.

“All I want to do is enjoy and celebrate his legacy,” the respectful co-host told Metro news.

“I don’t think there will be a Regis replacement — I think it will be a totally new person,” she said.

Adding the Latin heartthrob, Lopez, permanently to the show would be a surprise.

Although the new dad said he is “blessed” in his current relationship with baby-momma, Courtney Mazza, the young stud may still have some unsewn oats that could cause problems for the conservative morning crew.

Lopez reportedly enjoys keeping a girl on the side while in relationships. He allegedly cheated throughout the term of his relationship with his ex-wife , and later was said to have been doing the horozontal rumba with a Hooters girl while dating Dancing with the Stars’ Karina Smirnoff.

Of his two week marriage to former Miss USA, Kelly Landry, Lopez struggled to remain diplomatic.

“I was not mature enough and I didn’t have the guts probably to do the wrong… the right thing,” he told Piers Morgan.

“It was a snowball effect and I just sort of got caught up and let her… and I didn’t really know how to quite handle it,” Lopez said.


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