Kathie Lee returns to Regis for anniversary

‘I’m a huge fan of hers,’ Kelly Ripa says of her predecessor

Kathie Lee Gifford, Regis Philbin and Kelly Ripa

Regis Philbin and Kelly Rippa welcome back former co-host Kathie Lee Gifford for the taping of Live's 20th Anniversary Special.

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updated 5:27 p.m. ET Sept. 14, 2007

NEW YORK - There were no tears — or catfights — when Kathie Lee Gifford appeared on “Live With Regis and Kelly” to celebrate the syndicated daytime talk show’s 20th anniversary.

Gifford, who left as co-host in 2000, returned to her former workplace as Regis Philbin and Kelly Ripa looked back on the program’s most memorable moments. Her guest appearance aired Friday.

Before Tuesday’s taping in New York, Philbin, 76, said he wondered whether Gifford would get along with Ripa, who joined the show as co-host in 2001.

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“I’m looking forward to seeing (Gifford) again,” Philbin told AP Radio. “Bringing her back on the show and seeing what happens — what sparks fly! — between the only two co-hosts I’ve had on the last 20 years.”

No sparks flew; Gifford and Ripa are friends.

“I’m a huge fan of hers,” Ripa told AP Radio. “I was a huge fan of the show before I was ever on the show, so I love the chemistry and the rapport that Regis and Kathie Lee have with each other.”

Gifford, 54, and Ripa, 36, teared up watching clips of their families growing up, but neither really cried.

“I was tempted,” Gifford said. “I do all my crying at home now.”

Gifford sees Philbin and his wife, Joy, socially, so what she misses most is the money that comes with the gig.

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“I was a quarter-owner of this show and, you know, you sort of take it for granted that you’re always going to have that kind of money coming in,” she said.

Philbin’s contract is up in two years, and he hasn’t yet decided whether he will retire or continue with the show.

“It’s going to be a tortuous decision to make,” he said. “It really is. I’ve done it so long for so many years and on a daily basis that it’s really a life-changing situation.”