Kathie Lee Gifford, the renowned television personality, has revealed that she has not watched ‘Live!’ since leaving the show in 2000. In a recent interview, Gifford reflected on her long career, reminiscing about her time co-hosting alongside the late Regis Philbin, which she described as “the golden years.”
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In her remarks to PEOPLE magazine, Gifford, now 72, stated that she departed ‘Live! with Regis and Kathie Lee’ after an impressive 15-year run, and she has not been interested in tuning in since Kelly Ripa took over her role. “I wasn’t interested,” she said, adding that she shifted her focus towards projects in film and theatre. Gifford mentioned that during the years following her exit, she wrote four musicals and pursued other creative ventures.
Despite not following the show that carries on with Ripa and her husband Mark Consuelos, Gifford expressed fondness for her time with Philbin. “He was so much fun,” she recalled, highlighting their harmonious working relationship, which she said was free of conflict. Gifford shared anecdotes about Philbin’s spontaneity, illustrating the camaraderie they had when he would visit her Connecticut home.
Their friendship extended beyond the studio, with Philbin often asking Gifford if he could bring friends to see her house while she was away, to which she humorously recalled his assurances that no one particularly wanted to see her, just the property itself.
After leaving ‘Live!’, Gifford was invited to co-host the fourth hour of NBC’s ‘Today’ show alongside Hoda Kotb in 2008. In their initial days of partnering, Gifford noted a mutual respect grew rapidly. She preferred a more laid-back approach to broadcasting, opting out of using earpieces or cue cards, which Kotb later accommodated, leading to the duo’s dynamic on-screen success.
The pair went on to achieve notable accolades during their time together, winning four Emmy Awards. Gifford reflected on her earlier experiences with Regis, jokingly lamenting the inability to win awards despite numerous nominations. She quipped that the night she left ‘Live!’, Regis won an Emmy for Best Host, teasing, “Now we know what the problem was. It was me.”
In 2019, Kathie Lee Gifford chose to leave the ‘Today’ show, yet she clarified that she has never declared herself retired. She emphasised her desire to return to her artistic roots, including writing, which has become a significant focus in her life since departing television. Gifford is currently engaged in writing religious nonfiction, with her recent book titled ‘Nero and Paul’.
When questioned about the assumption that hosting ‘Today’ was her dream job, she responded with a smile, underscoring that while she performed well, it wasn’t her ultimate aspiration. “The Today show was never my dream job,” she stated firmly, asserting her commitment to authenticity throughout her career.
Gifford maintains a close relationship with Kotb, consistently praising her former co-host as “sunshine in a bottle,” reflecting on the genuine nature that she brings to their professional relationship. The bond they forged on-air continues to flourish today.
As Gifford embarks on her next creative endeavours, she takes pride in remaining true to herself both in public and private life. “I’ve never been a different person on camera,” she affirmed, insisting that her spiritual and secular identities are intertwined. She often reminds her audience that while she may not resonate with everyone, she is proud to be a beloved figure to many, likening herself to a well-loved wine: “I’m a lot of people’s Sangria or Pinot Grigio or Chardonnay.”
For those interested in further insights from Kathie Lee Gifford, the full interview can be found in the latest edition of PEOPLE magazine, available from Friday.