Regis Philbin is leaving 'Live!' But, why?

Regis Philbin announced on "Live! With Regis & Kelly" Tuesday that he'll be leaving the show this summer - even though it remains a top-five syndicated show nationally, and a bookend for New York powerhouse WABC/7, which is losing its other end this year too, "Oprah."

So let speculation fly: Why is Philbin leaving "Live!" after more than a quarter of a century?

1. Age: Philbin turns 80 in August, has grandchildren (as fans know so well) he loves to be with, so why not just be with them? Syndication guru Bill Carroll, vice president and director of programming for Katz Television Group, says Philbin may have asked to work a Johnny Carson-like schedule and Ch. 7 (which produces the show) declined. "With Oprah leaving and the industry changing he may have then thought maybe it's time to make that [same kind of] change myself now."

2. A contractual stand-off with Ch. 7: Possibly, but over what? (See above.) For years Philbin has threatened to hang it up at the end of a contract. He told Newsday this as far back as 2004. "You're just kind of talked out after a while. You know when I feel it the most? When I wake up in the morning and I say, 'Come on, my God, everyone else is living the good life somewhere, so why don't you relax?' "

3. A stand-off with Kelly Ripa: This is intriguing but there is no evidence of it; yes, he was fed up with Kathie Lee Gifford's diva antics back in the day, but he and Ripa appear to get along. But this is TV, and appearances are everything. She was reportedly one of the last to find out about Philbin's decision.

4. Health: An issue for everyone, especially Philbin, who has had two heart operations, a blood clot removal operation and a hip replacement. Could something else be going on? Hard to say, but he has usually been upfront about his health. Plus, he says he will continue to work elsewhere, possibly hosting a limited-run game show.

6. Ch. 7 wants to groom a newcomer: "Oprah's" departure puts pressure on the station to protect its morning franchise. Losing Philbin is bad enough, but at least this buys WABC time to groom his successor. In a statement Tuesday, ABC, parent company of WABC, said, "In the coming months, "Live!" will welcome top guests and feature special segments, all part of the countdown to the spectacular farewell celebration for the incomparable Regis Philbin." Could one of those "top guests" be the future replacement?

Four possible contenders 

Well . . . who could replace the irreplaceable Regis Philbin? Here are four possibilities:

Mark Consuelos: Ripa's soap-opera actor husband is a logical choice; good talker; knows Kelly intimately. (No, the show would not be renamed "Pillow Talk.")

Jeff Probst: Of course "Survivor" isn't forever (or is it?) and he has mused about leaving some day. Lots of positives with Probst in this seat, no major negative -- except that other day job.

Bryant Gumbel: Solid when he has subbed on "Live!": thaws out his famously frosty persona when he's on; may make the show a bit newsier; at least there would be lots of golfing tips.

Neil Patrick Harris: Probably a dream choice but also probably beyond the realm of possibility; "How I Met Your Mother" is one of the hottest shows on TV; he's in much demand elsewhere. But ... a TV station can dream, can't it? And who knows -- maybe he's tired of the sitcom grind.