Regis Philbin Announces Retirement from Live

After more than two decades of waking up with America - first with Cyndy Garvey, then Kathie Lee Gifford and, for the last 10 years, Kelly Ripa - Regis Philbin announced today that he would be leaving daytime television.

"This will be my last year on this show," said the 79-year old, not specifying an end date and joking: "There is a time that everything must come to an end for certain people on camera. Especially certain old people."

Ripa will remain on the morning show and replied to this announcement on-air with:

"I think I can only speak for America, and all of us here, when I say it has been a pleasure and a privilege and a dream come true [working with you], And I wish I could do something to change your mind."

Now, the question becomes: who should replace Regis?

Matt Richenthal is the Editor in Chief of TV Fanatic. Follow him on Twitter and on Google+.