Kathie Lee Gifford has no plans to read Kelly Ripa’s new memoir, in which she discusses her power dynamic with the late Regis Philbin.
“I was very sorry to see the headlines,” the former TV host, 69, said in an interview with Fox 5’s Rosanna Scotto on Monday.
“You know, you never know what’s true and what’s not true. I went, ‘I hope this isn’t true. I just hope it isn’t.’ ‘Cause what’s the point? I don’t get it. I don’t get it,” she continued.
Gifford helmed “Live! With Regis and Kathie Lee” for more than 10 years before Ripa took over the role in 2001.
The “All My Children” alum, 52, then co-hosted the daytime talk show with the “Who Wants To Be a Millionaire” icon until 2011. He died in July 2020 at the age of 88.
In her upcoming book, titled “Live Wire,” Ripa said it was “a basic misconception” that she and Philbin were close friends outside of work.
Ripa alleged in one passage of her book, ”My name had to be smaller than Regis’ name on the Live! title card and branding. A game of inches, which speaks for itself. But on that we agreed. Seniority, after all.”
She also claimed that from the very beginning, Philbin didn’t like her and even dubbed her as “it.”
In contrast, Gifford said she shared a special relationship with her former co-host, calling him the “best partner” she could have asked for.
“I just know what Regis was to me,” she continued.
“He was 15 years the best partner I could ever have professionally. But he was my friend. We were dear friends and after I left the show … for the next 20 years we became better friends. Dearer friends.”
Gifford noted that they were so close, she saw him just two weeks before he died.
“‘That’s the last time I heard Regis laugh,’” she recalled the late TV personality’s widow, Joy Philbin, telling her about their final meal together before his death.
“Lord, protect Joy and the girls from this,” Gifford continued, referencing Philbin’s daughter Amy and son Daniel, whom he shared with ex-wife Catherine Faylen, and his daughters Joanna and J.J. whom he shared with Joy.
“In all the years I’ve known him, I never saw him unkind to anyone. I never did. I’m just saying my reality is something completely different from that.”
When asked whether she was planning to pick up a copy of the memoir, Gifford said, “I’m not gonna read the book. I haven’t read it. I don’t even know if it’s out yet.”
She then referenced Ripa, adding, “I’m not going to say anything ugly about anybody. I never have, and I’m not going to start now.”
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