When the new season of Live! With Kelly starts this September, Kelly Ripa will finally get a permanent co-host by her side.

After almost a year of rotating co-hosts, the star will host the hour-long talk show solo on September 3rd before her new colleague begins the next day. The September 4 telecast will feature guests Claire Danes and most recent American Idol champ, Phillip Phillips.

Who won’t be in the co-host chair come this fall?

While Seth Meyers of Saturday Night Live was long considered the front-runner for the position and recently did a week long stint on the show in July, he shot down reports to the South Florida Sun Sentinel.

“No, no, no, no, no,” the comedian, 38, told them “I know [Regis’ replacement] is a very important thing down there but, right now, what I would say to you: I’m really in love with the job I have. I’m very excited to be going back [to SNL] for the election season, which is always fun.”

At the time of the report by Showbiz411, ex-footballer Michael Strahan and singer Josh Groban were also considered to be in the Top 3 for the co-hosting spot.

The seat next to Ripa has been open since longtime host Regis Philbin, who was part of the show for 28 seasons, retired in November of 2011. Since then everyone from Anderson Cooper to her own husband, actor Mark Consuelos, has filled the vacant seat. In fact, 59 people have filled Philbin’s seat and The Huffington Post indicates one of them has got the job.

Ripa joined Live! in 2000 after a year-long search for her following the departure of Kathie Lee Gifford.

Who would you like to see next to Kelly on September 4? Weigh in in the comments below!

Last November, Regis Philbin bid farewell to the daytime talk-show circuit after a staggering 28-year run on LIVE!

Now, five months later, his seat alongside Kelly Ripa has yet to be filled, despite a slew of guest hosts ranging from Jerry Seinfeld, to Neil Patrick Harris — and even Kim Kardashian.

In an exclusive interview with Celebuzz, 80-year-old Philbin doubted whether the Walt Disney Company, which owns ABC, is even trying to find the right candidate to fill his legendary shoes. 

“I don’t see anybody new on the show,” the man known as Reeg told Celebuzz.

“I wonder sometimes if they’re even looking for a new co-host. I see people like Seth Meyers — a terrific guy — but he’s got a show, Saturday Night Live and I don’t know if he could or would want to undertake this other show, as well.

“I don’t see anybody that they’re trying out — anybody new, I might say — that they’re trying out to get the job. Not yet, anyway.”

Regis admitted that he still watches the show, now titled LIVE! With Kelly – ”a little bit every now and then.”

When he’s not, the television stalwart said he’s enjoying his time away from the small screen. Among the highlights to date: a three-week cruise to Hong Kong, Beijing and Shanghai, as well a campaign for Advil, which he recently filmed with his wife, Joy. (Watch the commercial on Advil’s official website!)

Despite the R&R, Regis  — who is co-hosting The View on Tuesday and guest starring in Hot and Cleveland opposite Betty White later this season — told Celebuzz that he hasn’t ruled out a return to TV altogether.

“It could happen again,” he said.

“I haven’t found the right thing, or maybe I don’t want to go back too soon. So, I’m kind of staying out of it for a while. It’s only been about five-and-a-half months, anyway. But I’m not going to say, ‘I’m never going to do it again.’ I’d be wrong.”

It was an emotional day on the set of Live! With Regis & Kelly, as Regis Philbin signed off on his final show that had laughs, song, dance — and yes, tears.

Kelly Ripa did her best to keep her composure as she guided the Regis’ final show through the hour, complete with montages, a visit from Kathie Lee Gifford — who hosted the show for years with Reeg before making her move over to Today. What was the culmination of the show? The cast of Rent belted out their hit tune “Seasons of Love” with a little customization for Regis himself.

Watch the video above!
Regis told his fans and viewers:

“I wanted this to be a show where people would feel better about themselves, would look at life in maybe a different way, a funnier way … I think that’s what we’ve accomplished … I’m going out a pretty proud and happy guy.”

While there’s been speculation as to who might replace Regis on the show, no one has officially been named. In the coming weeks, Jerry Seinfeld and others will fill in as replacements until a permanent host is named.

Could Nick Jonas be the next Regis Philbin? Rumor has it that the youngest member of the Jonas Brothers is on the shortlist for possible replacements for Regis on Live! with Regis and Kelly.

Nick, 18, has joined an ever-growing list of possible candidates to fill Regis’ seat after the legendary TV personality announced that he was leaving Live! with Regis and Kelly after 28 years of hosting. Other possible hosts include Lisa Rinna, Mario Lopez and Anderson Cooper.

Nick is no stranger to the hosting table– the teen hunk filled in for Regis last January. Check out a clip of NJo playing host with Kelly Ripa below.

Nick’s rep told Celebuzz that they had “no comment” on him possibly replacing Regis.

Do you think Nick will make a good replacement for Regis? Share your thoughts in the comments.

Well, you can’t blame a guy for trying.

Curiously coiffed Jon & Kate Plus 8 matriarch Kate Gosselin appeared on Live With Regis and Kelly on Tuesday morning, and terminally optimistic co-host Regis Philbin put forth the possibility that, before too long, Kate and her ex-hubby Jon Gosselin would be back on the path to wedded bliss.

“I just have a feeling that the separation is going to come to an end, and I think he’s gonna come back, and he’s gonna say, ‘Please marry me again,’ and I think you’re going to live happily ever after,” Philbin offered. “Now what do you think of that?”

Not surprisingly, Kate had no problem telling the Reege exactly what she thought of that.

“A lot has changed,” Gosselin noted. “I don’t think that you’re right at all.”

Undeterred, Philbin attempted to play rematch-maker once more, suggesting, “Well, don’t you think all of this [animosity] would come to an end if the show stopped?”

“No, I don’t think it would all go away at this point,” Gosselin replied.

Check out the video exchange below:

That seems pretty concrete to us, but share your thoughts in the comments section anyway: Do you think Regis Philbin is a Prophet of Love, and the Gosselins will get back together?

It’s nearing the end of July, which means hotter weather and even hotter outfits! And of course there’s plenty of ugly ducklings in the mix.

Katie Price made a strange swan-like appearance at her book signing decked out in white feathers. But Katie’s Huh? look was balanced out by Denise Van Outen‘s classy white frock as she spent a day shopping.

See for yourself and drop a comment whether you agree or disagree with the expert picks!

If you missed our last Cute Looks vs. Huh? Looks post, make sure to take a look and compare!