As Regis Philbin walks onto the New York set of Live With Regis And Kelly for the last time Friday, Nov. 18 as the official host,  many of his longtime fans wonder why they won’t be sharing their morning with him every day beginning next week.

Philbin has been cryptic about his reasons, but even at age 80 after over 56 years on TV in L.A. and New York,  he has repeatedly insisted he is not retiring. He also has said how much he has enjoyed the show he has done since 1988 (first with Kathie Lee Gifford and since 2001 with Kelly Ripa).

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Some said Philbin was finally tired of the daily grind, the early hours and wanted an easier life.

After he said he would leave in early 2011, there were a flurry of stories that said Philbin had balked when told Disney wanted to lower his compensation, which under a contract negotiated in 2008 is reportedly about $21 million a year.  That contract also was very restrictive in term of what he could do outside of the show.

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Philbin denied it was over salary and said they had never even reached the point of a salary negotiation.

He still isn’t going into detail, but several sources tell THR it was actually a combination of the two factors.

Philbin had apparently been thinking of taking it easier for some time. His show schedule requires him to get up in the wee hours of the morning, and makes living a normal life difficult since he has to go to bed early.

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Then when his agent at the time Jim Griffin went in to talk to Disney, sources say he was told the syndication business was soft and the show wasn’t pulling as big numbers as it had. They also apparently brought up how much time Philbin takes off each year.

The bottom line was what mattered, however: It was still a success, but not as big a success, so sources said they were still willing to pay him a lot, but not as much as he had been getting.

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Disney officially declined comment on this article and off the record sources said Philbin made clear he wasn’t fired.

Philbin did, however, feel slighted by being asked to take a pay cut. That appears to have triggered his decision to quit the show and seek other options in show biz. He has said in interviews they never got to a discussion of salary specifics, which seems to be true, because he walked when they said it would be for less.

Not long after it became public and irreversible, Philbin fired his longtime agent and signed with the William Morris Endeavor talent agency for representation.

Philbin, who already holds the Guinness Book record for hosting the most hours of TV – having done almost 17,000 hours of live TV — clearly plans to look for new challenges, and undoubtedly will find them.

First, however, he will travel and do media appearances to promote his latest book How I Got This Way.

But it appears he is leaving behind the talk format he didn’t invent, but arguably did perfect: Where the first 20 minutes or so of the show are an unscripted chat about his life, the city, the world and his many famous pals. It made it very personal for viewers who felt they came to know him, and that clearly will be missed by millions.

Why Regis Philbin Is Saying Farewell to 'Live!': Inside the Talk Show Host's Departure

NEW YORK (AP) – Regis Philbin says he'll retire from his talkshow on November 18. The veteran TV personality made the announcement on Tuesday'sedition of "Live with Regis and Kelly" as it began its 24thseason in national syndication. Philbin announced last January that he planned to leave the showby year's end, but didn't specify a date. The show will continuewith Kelly Ripa (RIH'-puh), who joined him as co-host a decade ago. No new co-host has yet been chosen to team up with Ripa. Philbin, who turned 80 last month, has been a TV fixture sincethe 1950s. A three-time Emmy Award winner, he was honored with aLifetime Achievement Award from the National Academy of TelevisionArts & Sciences at the Daytime Emmy Awards in 2008.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

Regis Philbin says he will exit 'Live' on Nov. 18

Former My Name Is Earl star Jason Lee is set to showcase his camera work in a new photography book.

The actor has been taking snaps on his travels for years and he's decided to cash in on his hobby by selecting his best pieces for inclusion in the coffee table release.

But Lee admits choosing his favourite pictures is a tough task – because he has thousands of images to pick from.

In an interview on U.S. TV's Live with Regis and Kelly on Friday (10Jun11), he says, "I'm working on a book, a photography book I've been working on for years.

"I roadtrip a lot so I take a lot of photos. I shoot people, things, life, and I still shoot film so I'll roadtrip over 4,000 miles and come back with a hundred rolls of film shot. I don't own a digital camera, I love it, I love black and white film.

"I have a friend who does it (develops film). It's a special process, he does it in Colorado for me and I get black and white slides actually, so I have archived thousands of slides."

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Rachel McAdams, who stars with Harrison Ford and Diane Keaton in the new film "Morning Glory", says she once worked as a tour guide in New York. The catch? She didn't actually know anything about the city.

"It was a tour company in Toronto and they had someone call in sick and they asked, 'Do you want to take busloads of high school kids to New York and I'd never been to New York and I said 'Yes'," the Canadian native said on "Live With Regis and Kelly" recently. "I had no idea what I was talking about."

"I was that person at the front of the bus that was supposed to tell those kids all about New York and I was like, 'That's a nice building,'" McAdams said.

The actress, who turns 32 on November 17 and who has also starred in films such as "Mean Girls" and "The Notebook", plays a news producer who tries to save a failing morning program whose co-anchors, played by Ford and Keaton, are always at each others' throats.

"I liked that it's not a traditional romantic comedy," McAdams told the New Jersey Star-Ledger newspaper. "There is a love story in it, but that part is actually kind of minor- it's more of a platonic love story between my character and Harrison Ford."

"I really liked my character," she added. "She's a bit of a contradiction because here she is, in charge of this massive TV news show, yet she seems so scattered and kind of goofy. She's not the person you would expect to be able to handle it. Yet when push comes to shove, she steps up her game."

6 a.m. the Daily Buzz

7 a.m. the Early show: Sting performs.

7 a.m. Today: Enrique Iglesias performs; fashion consultantStacy London; guest co-host Chuck Nice.

7 a.m. good Morning America: the cast of Broadway's "AmericanIdiot" performs.

9 a.m. the Doctors: the top 10 unwelcome diagnoses; colds;fats.

9 a.m. Live With Regis and Kelly: Actor Nicolas Cage; the castof "Jersey Shore."

10 a.m. Rachael Ray: the number one mistake parents make whentrying to talk to children about sex.

10 a.m. the Bonnie Hunt show: Actress Lily Tomlin; TVpersonality Kelly Cutrone.

10 a.m. the View: Dieting; "The biggest Loser" contestants HelenPhillips and Michael Ventrella; workout videos.

11 a.m. the Dr. Oz show: Dr. Oz answers questions about cancer;a procedure that removes skin lesions.

11 a.m. Jerry Springer A woman sleeps with her sister'sboyfriend; a woman sleeps with her boyfriend's cousin.

Noon Power Lunch (CNBC)

12:30 p.m. Access Hollywood: ESPY Awards; "America's got Talent"results.

12:30 p.m. Life Today With James Robison: James and BettyRobison.

1 p.m. the Wendy Williams show Executive producer James Brolin("Standing Ovation"); reality TV star Terrell Owens.

1 p.m. the Ellen DeGeneres show: "American Idol" judge SimonCowell; Jack Johnson performs.

1:30 p.m. Charlie Rose

3 p.m. Dr. Phil: A woman mistakenly accuses a man of rapingher.

3 p.m. the Tyra show: Tyra looks back at some of this season'smost compelling shows.

3 p.m. Maury: Results of lie-detector and paternity tests.

4 p.m. the Oprah Winfrey show: Football player Nick Schuylerdiscusses surviving a boating accident.

4 p.m. the Tyra show: Tyra helps audience members prank theirfriends.

6:30 p.m. Entertainment Tonight: On the set of ChristinaAguilera's new video.

7 p.m. Washington Week

10:35 p.m. Late show With David Letterman: Actor Johnny Depp;actress Megan Fox.

10:35 p.m. the Tonight show With Jay Leno: Actor Stephen Moyer;Swell Season performs.

11:30 p.m. Charlie Rose

11:37 p.m. Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: Joseph Gordon-Levitt;Piper Perabo; Kurt Metzger.

12:01 a.m. Jimmy Kimmel Live

12:05 a.m. the Late Late show With Craig Ferguson: Actress EllenPage; Julie Gribble performs.

12:30 a.m. Tavis Smiley: Tennis player Venus Williams.

12:36 a.m. Last Call With Carson Daly: Bryan Cranston; JoeyLawrence; Nas and Damian Marley.

1 a.m. Jerry Springer: A man impregnates his girlfriend'scousin; a coffee-shop love triangle.

1:30 a.m. Donnybrook: Your Turn

2:04 a.m. the Tonight show With Jay Leno: Joe Biden; AdrienBrody; Chris Isaak performs.

2:05 a.m. Inside Edition Weekend

7 a.m. The Early Show: Author Stephen Perrine; Valentine's Day flowers and candy.

7 a.m. Today: Valentine's Day style; Today's Moms; singers Lady Gaga and Cyndi Lauper; pairing wine.

7 a.m. Good Morning America: Lady Gaga and Cyndi Lauper discuss the MAC AIDS fund; Jessica Biel; Jennifer Garner; Eric Dane.

9 a.m. Live With Regis and Kelly: Jennifer Garner ("Valentine's Day"); Ruby Gettinger; chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten.

10 a.m. Rachael Ray: A big giveaway; secrets of plastic surgeons; Jeff Probst.

10 a.m. The Bonnie Hunt Show: Chris Kattan; Giuliana and Bill Rancic; Tammy Pescatelli.

10 a.m. The View: Author Jackie Collins; TV personality Tim Gunn; Sade.

11 a.m. The Dr. Oz Show: Five silent killers in women; nurses' weight-loss challenge.

11 a.m. Jerry Springer: A woman tries to stop her cousin from marrying her lesbian lover.

12:30 p.m. Access Hollywood: Jennifer Aniston; "The Biggest Loser"; premiere of "Valentine's Day."

12:30 p.m. Life Today With James Robison: James and Betty Robison.

1 p.m. The Wendy Williams Show: Actress Raven-Symone discusses her latest project.

1 p.m. The Ellen DeGeneres Show: Demi Moore; Channing Tatum; Michael Bubl performs.

1:30 p.m. Charlie Rose

3 p.m. Dr. Phil: Dr. Phil addresses hot-button issues in custody fights.

3 p.m. The Tyra Show: Advice for women who want to meet men and learn more ways to be approachable to the opposite sex.

3 p.m. Maury: Guests learn the results of paternity tests.

4 p.m. Oprah Winfrey: Celine Dion talks about her new documentary, "Celine Through The Eyes Of The World."

4 p.m. The Tyra Show: Hidden cameras reveal children's reactions to various situations.

6:30 p.m. Entertainment Tonight

10:35 p.m. Late Show With David Letterman: Actress Jessica Biel; actor Christoph Waltz.

10:35 p.m. The Tonight Show With Conan O'Brien

11:30 p.m. Charlie Rose

11:37 p.m. Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: Yeasayer performs.

12:01 a.m. Jimmy Kimmel Live: Actress Emily Blunt; actor Bryan Greenberg; Editors perform.

12:05 a.m. The Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson: Actress Kristen Bell; comic Jeff Stilson.

12:30 a.m. Tavis Smiley: Director Garry Marshall.

12:36 a.m. Last Call With Carson Daly

1 a.m. Jerry Springer: A male nanny takes care of more than his client's children; a man cheats on his pregnant girlfriend.

1:35 a.m. Oprah Winfrey: Celine Dion talks about her new documentary, "Celine Through The Eyes Of The World."

TV talk shows for Feb. 10

7 a.m. The Early Show: Singer Taylor Swift.

7 a.m. Today: Gemma Genazzano; cooking for the Super Bowl; Donny Deutsch; New Kids on the Block; obesity.

7 a.m. Good Morning America: Glamour editor Suze Yalof Schwartz; workout trends.

9 a.m. The Doctors: The doctors join the relief efforts in Haiti.

9 a.m. Live With Regis and Kelly: Guest co-host mark Consuelos; Kristen Bell; Christine Baranski; the hosts learn boxing techniques.

10 a.m. Rachael Ray Barry Manilow performs; a guide to buying beauty products.

10 a.m. The Bonnie Hunt Show: Actor Steven Seagal; chef Bethenny Frankel.

10 a.m. The View: Actress Catherine Zeta-Jones; fashion designer Oscar de la Renta.

11 a.m. The Dr. Oz Show: Dr. Oz takes questions from Jennifer Morrison, Jason Thompson and Kimberly McCullough.

11 a.m. Jerry Springer: Favorite stories involving strippers.

12:30 p.m. Access Hollywood

12:30 p.m. Life Today With James Robison: James and Betty Robison.

1 p.m. The Wendy Williams Show: Actor Esai Morales.

1 p.m. The Ellen DeGeneres Show: Josh Duhamel; Matthew Bomer ("White Collar").

1:30 p.m. Charlie Rose

2 p.m. The 700 Club: Building wells.

3 p.m. Dr. Phil: Guests who have gone to extremes to get attention.

3 p.m. The Tyra Show: Tyra surprises selfless women with fantasy makeovers; "Top Model" winner.

3 p.m. Maury: Maury reveals the results of paternity tests.

4 p.m. Oprah Winfrey

4 p.m. The Tyra Show: People who tell friends to do something even though they know it will look bad.

6:30 p.m. Entertainment Tonight: a countdown to the Grammy Awards.

7 p.m. Washington Week

9 p.m. The Jay Leno Show: TV show host Howie Mandel.

10:35 p.m. Late Show With David Letterman: Sigourney Weaver; Marv Albert; Julian Casablancas.

10:35 p.m. The Tonight Show With Conan O'Brien

11:30 p.m. Charlie Rose

11:37 p.m. Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: Freddie Prinze Jr.; Anthony Anderson; Keha.

12:01 a.m. Jimmy Kimmel Live: Josh Duhamel; Shorty Rossi; John Mayer performs.

12:05 a.m. The Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson: Jon Heder; Dana Eagle; Corinne Bailey Rae.

12:30 a.m. Tavis Smiley: Director Eugene Jarecki; CEO Max Siegel, Max Siegel, inc.

12:36 a.m. last Call With Carson Daly: Actor Charlie Hunnam; luger Erin Hamlin; Phoenix performs.

1:30 a.m. Donnybrook: Your Turn

1:35 a.m. Oprah Winfrey

2:05 a.m. Inside Edition Weekend

TV talk shows for Jan. 29