Book #45: "How I Got This Way" by Regis Philbin

 

How I Got This Way

Regis Philbin

 Released: November 15th, 2011

My 15th book for 2024 was Regis Philbin's "How I Got This Way".

I was browsing Powell's Books in Portland around 2018 or 2019 when I came upon this book.  I was super thrilled because I've always enjoyed Regis.  The cover brought back many entertaining moments from my childhood as my mother would always watch Live! with Regis and Kathie Lee back in the 1990's.

Growing up, Regis was a household name.  Everybody knew him, and my mom would always tune in every weekday morning to see what entertaining guest stars were on tap for the day.  They had all sorts of celebrities, people of interest, and a variety of different shenanigans going on.  His jokes and mannerisms were stellar.  I always remember this one episode where Regis was helping to clean someone's house for the day, and halfway through, he opens their fridge, takes a swig of milk, and utters to the camera "No one will ever know."  Classic!

On the flip side, as I got older, my dad and I would watch him on the game show "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire".  It was weird seeing him at night as I always wondered when the man slept (or how they got people to answer the phone at nearly 10 o'clock at night).  It never occurred to me that the show was pre-recorded.

I picked this book up because I wanted to know more about the man behind the legend.  I always thought this was his first ever book.  I tried to do them in order (How I Got This Way, I'm Only One Man, Who Wants to be Me?)  Turns out, this was actually his last book published, not his first.  Sort of the cap on a lifetime well lived on the airwaves inside people's homes.

I got about fifty pages in, and had some various things come up.  Life hardships forced me to put the book away into storage for about a year and a half.  I did read "I'm Only One Man" during that time.  It's interesting because where this one reads like a biography via the different people he met over the years and how they inspired him, his original book was more a yearly journal based on his life.  In that book however, the print is microscopic and makes for far more difficult reading as while the book is amazing, the pages seem to go on forever.  My 20 pages a day felt more like 40.  This book reads a lot smoother and the font is more standard size.

I really enjoyed the flow of this book.  Regis goes from his days at Notre Dame, to his years in the United States Navy, before breaking into the television business as a page for NBC in New York, and bouncing back and forth between San Diego, New York, and Hollywood.  He hit some various places in between before settling in New York City full-time.  I've been to these places before, and while it's tough to wonder why he didn't stay in San Diego, New York certainly has a larger market, and he makes a good point - unless you're seeking a regional audience, it's difficult to have a daily morning talk show that broadcasts from the West Coast.  By the time it's 9:00am, over half your audience on the East Coast is already eating lunch and settling into their afternoon.

Regis’ continues into a series of chapters where he comments on the various relationships he has had with people over the years.  A great deal of them are celebrities, talk show hosts, or New York social figures.  One by one, Regis has met and been inspired by them all.  He then completes each chapter with a series of lessons he learned from every relationships.

This book is the direct inspiration for how I write my blogs.  Regis goes into a chapter where he talks about the person or subject he is writing about, and then at the end leaves a notation of things he learned.  I do the same here, where I'll write about the particular book that I read, and then I write a detailed summary of things I have learned.  For this book, the lessons he shared are highlighted in Boldface below.  I feel they can be useful and instrumental to anyone in any life.  So I hope you take these lessons I've worked on learning to heart and that much like Regis' original intent, it helps you life a better life.  I hope you enjoy.

Here is what I learned:

—————

• The book is dedicated to Jack Paar.

• The Foreword by David Letterman humorously feature’s Abraham Lincoln’s biography with handwritten editing mark scratching out Lincoln’s name/life events and replacing them with Regis and his life events.

• Television was different when Regis first started.

• Different position Regis held on his rise to stardom include: New York NBC Page Staff, TV station prop house hand in Los Angeles, Delivery truck driver in Hollywood, news reporter in San Diego, and the finally as a broadcaster.

• Regis spent 16,746.5 hours on live TV.  He hold the Guinness World Record.

• “Hindsight can be a great gift. Everyone is just trying to find his or her own path in this world. You can't know what the future holds, but sometimes looking back at the past can help.”

Bing Crosby

• Regis’ family once lived on the bottom floor of a two-story house on Cruger Ave in the Bronx.

• When he was about 6 or 7, he would listen every night at 9:30 to Bing Crosby on WNEW.

• Growing up, he wanted to be a singer like Crosby.

• He graduated from the University of Notre Dame.

• He majored in sociology.

• He told his parents of his singing ambitions by singing “Pennies From Heaven” as Gus Falcone accompanied him on piano.

• He was once the second banana on ABC’s The Joey Bishop Show.

• Joey and Regis had a private ritual before every show of walking from the studio on Vine St to Hollywood Blvd and back.

• Bing Crosby was once book on Bishop’s show, and so he created an opportunity for Regis to sing to him on the show.

• Regis was offered a recording contract with Mercury Records the next day.

• Bing Crosby died of a heart attack on a golf course in Spain.

• Crosby grew up in Spokane, WA, and graduated from Gonzaga University.

• In 2006, The Clemmer Theater in Spokane was renamed The Bing Crosby theater in his honor.

• Regis enjoys Bing’s performances on his “Kraft Music Hall” radio shows.

• Gonzaga has a statue to Crosby’s honor.

• One of the campus buildings holds the Crosby archives.

• “It took me some time to learn that every move you make as a young person sets you in a certain direction, and you never know where it will lead you until you get there.”

• The moment of your college graduation is not the moment to surprise your parents with the sudden declaration of a new and offbeat career ambition.

• Keep those favorite songs of your youth with you for life and pay attention to the lyrics.  If you love them, use them as your inspiration and guide.

Two Major Marines: Major Rankin and Major Flake, USMC

• Regis joined the Naval Reserve Officer Training Core (NROTC) while at Notre Dame.

• He spent 2 years in the U.S. Navy and after training in Navy Supply Corps School in Hoboken, NJ, he was assigned to an LSM squadron in San Diego, CA.

• Regis was an elaborate prankster.

• On his last day in the Navy, Major Flake asked Regis what he wanted to do with the rest of his life.  Philbin mentioned TV but wasn’t sure he could do it.

• “Don’t you know you can have anything you want in this life?  You’ve only got to want it bad enough.  Now, do you want it?!  Well, get in your car and get up to Hollywood and make it happen!  Now!  Right now!”

• Fate will somehow throw certain (possibly unlikely) characters into your life - but usually for reasons much larger than you will know at the time. Be open to their influence.

• Practical jokes can all too often backfire (especially in the military and in the workplace). So always carefully consider the consequences beforehand.

• If you really want to conquer an important quest in life, go after it. And don't look back.

Steve Allen

• Regis used to drive an old Hudson convertible.

• He subtlety lied his way into the local TV station to meet station manager Al Flanagan.

• Flanagan offered to call him back if something opened up.

• Regis went home to see his family after 2 years away.

• His Uncle Mike got him in at NBC.

• Regis started as a Page in June of 1955.

• He saw the Steve Allen show rehearsal from the top balcony.

• Later the show moved to Hollywood.

• Steve Allen ran out of material for his show in Hollywood, he would send someone over to the bulletin board at the Ranch Market and collect numbers from personal ads, which he would call on-air and Roy loose entertaining conversations from them.

• After being a page, Regis was recalled to Hollywood as a stage hand at KCOP TV.

• This led to a job as a local live Saturday night talk show host where he could interview different people.

• Max Arnow was an agent from LA.

• He got work to some people in Hollywood about Regis.  They flew to San Diego to see his next Saturday night show live.  

• After he interviewed Zsa Zsa Gabor, she blurted out backstage “My God, he’s as good as Carson!” Refer to legendary late-night host Johnny Carson.

• He was asked to go to Cleveland to fill in for Mike Douglas for a week as a sort of test run.

• He did a great job, and even got to interview pro wrestling legend Freddie Blassie.

• He was next asked to cover for Steve Allen in Los Angeles.  He did so well, he was asked to take over when Allen’s contract ended.

• The question that has bothered Regis for years is when people asked him “What’s your talent?”

• When other people believe in you, they believe in you for a good reason. Don't worry about that reason - just believe right along with them.

• To specifically label what you do best is to unfairly limit what you can do best.

• Just make sure you know what you absolutely cannot do. And don't be afraid to admit it.

Ronald Reagan

• Regis once broadcast about a piggy bank with less than a dollar being broken into.

• He was inspired hugely by Jack Paar.  Especially his gift of connecting with the lens.

• Ronald Reagan was one of the greatest guests he ever featured.

• Reagan’s ability with words elevated and motivated you.

• A few years later, Reagan’s as booked on the Joey Bishop show where Regis was working and they reminisced about the show to the surprise of Bishop.

• Philbin was sent back to his Alma mater to cover then-President Reagan’s commencement speech.

• Reagan was the fifth President to address a Notre Dame commencement ceremony.

• He portrayed quarterback George Gipp in “Knute Rockne”.

• “As a coach, he did more than teach young men how to play a game. He believed truly that the noblest work of man was building the character of man. And maybe that's why he was a living legend. No man connected with football has ever achieved the stature or occupied the singular niche in the nation that he carved out for himself, not just in a sport, but in our entire social structure. Now, today I hear very often, "Win one for the Gipper," spoken in a humorous vein. Lately I've been hearing it by congressmen who are supportive of the programs that I've introduced. [laughter] But let's look at the significance of that story. Rockne could have used Gipp's dying words to win a game anytime. But eight years went by following the death of George Gipp before Rock revealed those dying words, his deathbed wish. And then he told the story at halftime to a team that was losing, and one of the only teams he had ever coached that was torn by dissension and jealousy and factionalism. The seniors on that team were about to close out their football careers without learning or experiencing any of the real values that a game has to impart. None of them had known George Gipp. They were children when he played for Notre Dame. It was to this team that Rockne told the story and so inspired them that they rose above their personal animosities. For someone they had never known, they joined together in a common cause and attained the unattainable. But is there anything wrong with young people having an experience, feeling something so deeply, thinking of someone else to the point that they can give so completely of themselves? There will come times in the lives of all of us when we'll be faced with causes bigger than ourselves, and they won't be on a playing field. .. We need you. We need your youth. We need your strength. We need your idealism to help us make right that which is wrong. Now, I know that this period of your life, you have been and are critically looking at the mores and customs of the past and questioning their value. Every generation does that. May I suggest, don't discard the time-tested values upon which civilization was built simply because they're old. More important, don't let today's doom-criers and cynics persuade you that the best is past, that from here on it's all downhill. Each generation sees farther than the generation that preceded it because it stands on the shoulders of that generation. You're going to have opportunities beyond anything that we've ever known.”

• His speech was a rousing success.  Coming off the heels of his assassination attempt months earlier.

• When he got back to the station, Regis was commended for his brilliant work. 

• Go ahead and take a chance on doing surprising things at work (as I did in my piggy bank story, for instance). Attention will be paid. Eventually, anyway. Maybe not right away, but someday, someone will notice.

• There's no such thing as a lowly job when you start in the particular business where you've always dreamed of succeeding.

Walter Winchell

• At one point prior to World War II, there were 12 different newspapers operating in New York City.

• The Bronx felt as distant to the Big Apple as Iowa.

• Walter Winchell was the king of the gossip columns.

• He enjoyed vacationing at the Del Mar Racetrack in Southern California.

• Bing Crosby financed the Racetrack in the 1930’s.

• Winchell was quite famous.  He knew everyone in Hollywood, he knew presidents, and even murderous gangster Louis “Lepke” Buchalter asked him to walk him to the police station when he turned himself in.

• When Regis was a child, the New York Daily Mirror newspaper cost two cents.  He would buy it just to read Winchell’s column.

• Winchell was a regular at the Stork Club in New York City.

• While Regis was interviewing Winchell live, he had to cut to a commercial break.  Someone had called in a bomb threat.

• Winchell talked Regis into going for food at an all-night Chinese restaurant.

• The next day, Marilyn Monroe passed away, so Winchell went after the story.

• Regis was given a huge shout-out in Winchell’s column, comparing him to being on the same level as Johnny Carson.

• There will always be something special and more impressive to me about newspaper print than about anything I'm likely to find on the Internet.

• Accepting a compliment from a hero - or from anyone you deeply admire - is harder that it really ought to be. Just accept it and don't forget to say thanks, and it's yours for the rest of your life.

Sydney Omarr

• Regis was amazing by the late remarkable astrologer Sydney Omarr.

• Philbin took over for the outgoing Steve Allen on the second Monday in October 1964.

• With the promotion, he was given a full staff.

• In his opening night, Omarr did a reading and predicted the show would fail.

• He told Regis the next few years would be the worst period of his life, as there would be some drastic changes.

• The show was renewed, and Omarr was rebooked.  When he did a second reading, he predicted the show would be off the air in 48 hours.  

• 36 hours later, Regis was called to the Beverly Hills Hotel where he was relieved of duty and his show given to Merv Griffin.

• Regis’ son Dan was born with complicated congenital anomalies.

• His marriage to his first wife failed.

• It rained for 2 straight weeks in Los Angeles in February 1968.

• He lost his house when a landslide took out half of his backyard, and the house was ordered evacuated.

• In December 1969, while covering for Joey Bishop, Omarr returned and told Regis he would soon become a household name in America and he would go on to great success.

• He was told it would take 20 years.  In September 1988, Live! With Regis and Kathie Lee went national.

• Astrology isn't for sissies. Those stars do seem to know things we don't - and maybe never should.

• Great things can happen much later than you might have hoped. But even then, great things are still great - and always worth appreciating - so don't give up.

Cary Grant

• Cary Grant did not give TV interviews because he feared he would be a terrible guest.

• Grant had an enormous impact on Regis in his film, Gunga Din.

• The film was based on a poem by Rudyard Kipling.

• “Tho’ I’ve belted you an’ flayed you, By the livin’ Gawd that made you, You’re a better man than I am, Gunda Din!”

• Cary Grant always made Regis feel like he was Cary Grant when he left the theater after one of his movies.

• Every time he used a British accent, Regis always channeled Cary Grant.

• In an effort to book him, Regis’ staff member Marshall Lichterman called Cary Grant on the phone every day for weeks, until Regis threatened to fired him.

• Every day Regis would check to see if any of his movies were airing on TCM, and if so, he would try to stay home.

• All men should study the charm of Cary Grant in the movies whenever possible. You may not become Grant, but you'll be inspired to be a better man.

• No really does mean no, especially if the same person keeps telling you so every single day for weeks on end.

Jack Parr

• Regis became the way he is mostly due to inspiration from Jack Paar.

• Jack used to host the Morning show for CBS in New York.

• He would always open the show right at 11:15 by just sitting on the edge of his desk and talking to the audience.  He created an intimate atmosphere.

• Instead of pure comedy, he would simply talk about his day with bits of humor incorporated.

• “I'd still been wondering what my future would hold in this business. And then I saw Paar, who made whatever he did on camera seem so personal, so unpredictable, so funny, and mainly so very real. It was marvelous. It was what I wanted to do, and he showed me how. Because in my heart, I somehow felt that I had the ability to do that, too.”

• Paar always missed Philbin in one way or another over the years.  They finally formally met decades later and became great friends when Regis and Joy took Jack and his wife Miriam to lunch.

• The Paars threw legendary parties.

• Jack was great at giving compliments but felt uncomfortable receiving praise.

• He enjoyed Live! and was shocked to find out Regis and Kathie Lee (and later Kelly) didn’t rehearse before the show.

• The last time Regis saw Jack was Christmas Eve 2003.  Paar had recently suffered a stroke and Los the ability to talk.  So Regis spend a rainy morning with him talking.  He felt a bit sad because here he was with one of the most famous conversationalists in history, and he was unable to respond.  Regis gave him a kiss on the head, told him he loved him and wished him a Merry Christmas.  Jack died a short time after that.

• Emulating the style of someone you deeply admire is a natural instinct. It helps free you to find your own style along the way.

• Never stop saying thank you to the people who've made the biggest differences in your life. No matter how much it embarrasses them.

Bill Cosby

• Bill Cosby was a Navy veteran.

• He went to college at the University of Temple where he did Track and Field and played on the Football team.

• Regis was only his 2nd TV show appearance after Jack Paar.

• Despite the 1960’s being a racially-divisive time, Cosby never all the subject to become part of his routine.

• Over 8 seasons, Cosby helped ease racial relations and pushed the Cosby Show to become the number one rated show in America.

• Regis dislikes modern comedians using the “f-word”. He feels it is a crutch, and it’s made routines more trashy.

• Bill Cosby used to lecture Eddie Murphy for years for using the f-word in his routines, calling it unnecessary.

• A cheerful, relatable voice in the face of social turmoil will help dissolve that turmoil much more effectively than a strident, angry voice.

• There is no f-word more powerful than funny.

Joey Bishop

• Regis was offered a position on Joey Bishop’s show as the second banana.

• Joey Bishop pointed out that Regis’ talent was listening.  He was able to absorb what someone else was saying and stay present in the moment.

• Despite being a member of the Rat Pack, Bishop had a difficult relationship with Frank Sinatra, and he never appeared on Joey’s show.

• Barbara Streisand had a reputation being difficult, even in the 1960’s.

• Bishop had a notorious temper, so Regis would often walk around Hollywood with him to “keep him loose”.

• The walk became a daily ritual.

• Johnny Carson would occasionally come to Burbank to do his show at NBC’s Hollywood Studios.  He would always blow away Bishop in the ratings.

• Bishop came up with a plan for Regis to walk off the show, stating he felt he was holding Joey back.  This led to great viewer interest and speculation as to what happened.  ABC even had some fallout as the public outcry over the matter led to people believing the executives had pushed him out.

• He returned the following Monday, but the bit worked wonders in generating publicity.

• He comes clean about the event for the first time in the book as he feels it was more of a let down concerning the public like that.

• Trustin Howard was his best friend on the Joey Bishop show.

• Later when Joey quit the show, he resigned and left Regis in charge to take over.  Both walkouts feature Victor Damone as the guest star.

• Learn what you can from old mistakes, but don't dwell on them too long or you may miss out on some truly great opportunities.

• When pressure gets the best of you, remember to take time out. A brisk walk can clear the mind and leave you ready to laugh again.

Dean Martin

• Regis constantly listens to Dean Martin music.

• His office has been called a shrine to Dean Martin and Notre Dame.

• Martin was the personification of relaxed, carefree ease.

• Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis were one of the hottest comedy duos of all-time.

• Regis saw Martin & Lewis the night of his prom.

• Dean was rarely around Hollywood.  If he wasn’t working, he was golfing, at home with his large family, or performing in Las Vegas.

• Martin would always go out to eat.  He would always dine alone at 6:30pm.  His restaurant of choice was La Famiglia

• Regis got a short quick hello to thank him for his influence.

• Dean Martin died Christmas morning 1995.

• Dean’s popularity skyrocketed after he passed away.

• Regis was asked to do an infommerical for DVDs of the best moments from Dean’s variety shows over the years.

• Despite turning them all down, Regis agreed to do so, and loved every minute.

• It was said that if you accidentally tuned into Dean’s show, you couldn’t tune out.

• Regis was able to perform a duet with Dean posthumously.

• He was also given one of Dean’s stools from his original show to sit on.

• No matter what your musical tastes, I sweat that listening to Dean Martin sing will calm you and boost your energy at once - without fail.

• If you are grateful to someone who's brough your life even a little joyfulness, and if you have the chance to tell them so - do it! It just takes a second, and you'll never regret it.

Don Rickles

• Don Rickles was too offensive to be offensive.

• Frank Sinatra fell in love with his style when he entered a Miami Club for one of Don’s shows and from the stage, Don greeted him with, “Make yourself at home, Frank.  Hit somebody!”

• Don would always close out the Friar’s Roasts because nobody could follow him.  He was too good.

• Rickles was a very faithful and loyal person.

• Rao’s is the most difficult restaurant in New York to get into.

• It’s located in East Harlem.

• It was a notorious gangster hideout for years.

• Regis and Don formed a strong friendship and talked on the phone all the time.

• Loyalty to others tends to ensure that your loyalty will always be returned in kind.

• Know how to take a ribbing, especially from people who obviously care about you - as well as those who do it for a living and mean you no harm. It's really a compliment that they thought enough of you to talk about you in the first place.

John Severino

• John Severino was an ABC employee in Chicago.  He was sent to Boston to welcome Regis when he landed the Westinghouse gig.  He greeted him with a middle finger.

• When Regis took a temporary job in Chicago as a morning show host, Severino was on his last day before moving on to Los Angeles to take over the station KABC there.  

• Regis didn’t get the Chicago job, but on his return to LA, was asked to be an entertainment reporter.  He was also a movie reviewer.

• When the morning show host left, Regis opted to work 15 hours a day doing the 90-minute morning show, a movie review, and the entertainment coverage at night.  Ratings went up.

• Severino was promoted to President of the entire ABC television network for years of increased ratings.

• KABC let Regis’ contract expire and did not renegotiate.

• NBC reached out with an offer to go national.  When he told Tom Van Amburg, the head of KABC, he was escorted off the premises without being allowed to collect his things from his office.

• Severino called Regis and in very explicit language told him that he had violated him personally and would seek professional retribution.

• Jimmy Griffin, a New York-based William Morris agent, convinced Severino to bring Regis to New York to revamp the morning show that had failed miserably under Stanley Siegel.

• Regis and Joy were flown to New York to see if the move was right for them.  After spending a cold weekend there, they decided to turn down ABC’s offer.

• Severino decided to give Regis a one-of-a-kind offer.  He called it the “Misery Clause”.  He would come work in New York for one year.  If he wasn’t happy, he would go back West and find something new.  If he enjoyed it and did well, they would negotiate an even better contract for him.

• Passionate people are often unpredictable people. If you choose to follow them, be prepared to ride their waves.

• In business, think first with your head, and soon enough your heart will follow the same path.

Coach Frank Leahy

• Regis considers the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, IN, to be the greatest long-standing influence in his life.

• His first exposure to the school was when his uncle Mike took him to the theater to see the film “Knute Rockne All American”.

• His uncle mentioned off-hand “One day maybe you’ll go there…”

• His original choice was to stay in New York and attend Fordham, but his father pushed for Notre Dame.

• One Sunday in September 1949, he took the westward-bound train from Grand Central Station in New York to South Bend.

• He first took residence in Room 222 of Zahm Hall.

• At his first Pep Rally before the season opener against Indiana, legendary Irish coach Frank Leahy gave a rousing speech about how the university would impact their lives.  

• Leahy had never lost a game since returning to coach the Fighting Irish in 1946.

• He had played for 2 of Knute Rockne’s five national championship teams in the late-20’s and early-30’s.

• “Jungle” Jim Martin was a First Team All-American left end who was moved to tackle. A two-time school boxing champion, and a superb swimmer.  He was a ex-marine who while on military tour in Japan, would be taken by submarine to a position off the Japanese/held island coast of Tinian, bring up to surface, and would have to swim to shore.  He would then have to swim back to where the submarine dropped him off to be collected again.

• After most of the seniors graduated in 1949, Purdue upset Notre Dame in the second game of the 1950 season.  This was Notre Dame’s first loss in 5 years.

• The world you know in your youth is only a tiny sliver of the world that awaits you beyond. And it's all there for the taking, when you're ready.

• Remember, whatever or whoever inspires or moves you enough to give you goose bumps at the time is very likely to mean more than you know over time.

• When heartbreak is a brand-new sensation, know that you've only just begun to live your life. Pain passes, and when it does, it often leaves determination in its wake.

Coach Ara Parseghian

• Regis always struggled when Notre Dame lost a game.

• Frank Leahy retired in 1954.

• Coach Ara Parseghian was his replacement.

• The Notre Dame-USC rivalry dates back to the Rockne Era

• Joy Philbin is from Chicago

• In 1974, Regis felt defeated.  He did not get the Chicago position and was holding the family together with random gigs around the country.

• Ara was diagnosed with Niemann-Pick disease.

• 3 of Ara’s grandchildren preceded their grandfather in death due to the disease.

• When difficult time arise, don't lose sight of how far you've already come and of all the better times that have helped sustain you along the way.

• After a terrible setback, the true test is how you face the next day: Get up, show up, and I promise you'll soon begin to cheer up.

Coach Lou Holtz

• Regis always thought highly of Louie Holtz’s coaching ability.

• “Let me tell you how good Lou Holtz is: You could kidnap him on the day of the game.  You could tie him up, blindfold him, hide him in a cellar in Goshen, Indiana!  And he would still outcoach the other guy.”

• Holtz revitalized the program in Minnesota, but had a special clause that state if another Dame came calling, he would have to be released from his contract.

• “I want you to pay close attention to what I say because I don't want any misunderstanding about how I feel. I'm here to win football games for the University of Notre Dame. Not some of our games, not most of our games-I'm here to win all of our games. Every doggone one of them. We aren't here to come close. We are here to win every single football game we ever play at Notre Dame from this point forward. I want you to be the best, the very best in all areas of your life. I want you to be the best student you can be, I want you to be the best person you can be, I want you to be the best football player you can be. The only reason a person should exist is to be the best he can be. To play at Notre Dame is to reach perfection. I'm basically a perfectionist. I've heard all the reasons why you can't reach perfection. I'm here to tell you something. We are either going to reach it or we're going to come so close that the average person won't know the difference. Perfection at Notre Dame will not be demanded. It will be expected. I don't ever expect to lose another football game as long as I'm at Notre Dame and I sure don't expect to lose one this year. Less than perfection is a personal embarrassment to me, to you, and to this university. Were going to write another chapter in Notre Dame football history. We're going to reach perfection in football the same way as the university seeks perfection in every facet of the school. We are not asking for perfection-we are going to demand it. Don't expect us to lower the standards to satisfy people who are looking for mediocrity, because that won't happen. Mistakes are a thing of the past. We expect perfection and we're going to get it.

• I want to tell you what this football team is going to be. It's going to be tough. It's going to be physical. It's going to be relentless. We will look adversity in the eye and we will turn it into success. That's perfection. I'm sure there are people in this room who say right now, "Tell us what we have to do because we're willing to pay the price." On the other hand, there may be some in this room who will say, "We just can't do it." I don't care who questions our ability to succeed as long as they aren't members of this team.”  - Lou Holtz prior to the 1988 season.

• Holtz’s 1988 team went a perfect 12-0.

• Holtz has a museum in his honor in East Liverpool, OH where he grew up.

• Regis was once the grand Marshall of a Dean Martin birthday celebration parade in Steubenville, OH.  Holtz joined him in the celebration.

• Lou Holtz’s 100 wins at Notre Dame are second only to Knute Rockne’s 105.

• Holtz wrote a bucket list of 108 things he wanted to achieve in his lifetime.

• As of 2011, he had 102 complete.

• Get yourself near people who exude great enthusiasm and watch how it rubs off on you.

• If you approach any task with perfection as your goal, it will always bring you that much closer to truly achieving it.

Kathie Lee Gifford

• Live! With Regis and Kathie Lee Gifford debuted September 5th, 1988

• In early shows Regis did before doing Live!, Sarah Purcell was Regis’ first permanent cohost in Los Angeles

• When the new show began, Mary Hart was the new cohost.  The show was shortened to 30 minutes and by 1982 had failed.

• In 1983, The Morning Show launched in New York with Regis and Cyndy Garvey.

• In 1984, Cyndy left the show and was replaced by Ann Abernathy.  Sherry got into a battle with ABC management upon hearing of Regis’ “Misery Clause”

• In 1988, Kathie Lee Johnson (later Gifford) replaced Abernathy and the show lasted for an incredible 12 year run.

• Kathie Lee was late her first time with Regis as she was running down Sixty-Seventh street from the set of Good Morning America.

• Kelly Ripa replaced Kathie Lee in 2001.

• As a side joke, Kathie Lee appeared in Kelly’s ABC sitcom “Hope and Faith” where Kelly’s character was going for a waitress job and had to replace a long-time experienced one (played by Kathie Lee).

• Developing a strong dynamic or chemistry with a colleague takes time - but more importantly it also takes, from the very start, a mutual respect and the ability to listen carefully to each other.

• Good-byes are never fun, but certain people don't necessarily have to leave your life altogether. Nor should they.

Kelly Ripa

• Regis uses the word “incidentally” a lot because of Dana Carvey’s impersonation of him on SNL.

• Regis won his first daytime Emmy when he went solo temporarily after Kathie Lee left the show.

• Kelly met her husband Mark on her show “All My Children”.

• In her debut episode, psychic Char Margolis corrected revealed that Kelly was pregnant with her second child.

• Regis believes she has the potential to become the “Lucille Ball” of her generation.

• People who sparkle tend to make you sparkle, too, when they're near.

• Awards are nice. But giving people a reason to smile is a reward you'll value and experience far longer.

Donald Trump

• Regis nicknamed Donald Trump “The Trumpster”.

• Trump Tower rejuvenated Fifth Ave in the 1980’s.

• At her Radio City Music Hall debut, Lady Gaga sent an aide to find Trump in the audience and bring him backstage for a photograph.

• Trump Tower boasts an 85-ft waterfall coming down one of the walls.

• Regis and Donald have been friends since doing a celebrity baseball game in the early 80’s at Yankee Stadium.  Trump was the first baseman, and Regis played second.

• Trump likes to egg people on in jest.

• When “The Apprentice” aired, Regis would call the Trumpster first thing in the morning to give him the ratings.

• To become big, you cannot be afraid to play big - and to dream even bigger.

• Always keep self-doubt to yourself - as best you can. And never buy into it for very long.

Claudia Cohen

• New York might as well be the capital of the U.S., if not the world according to Regis.

• Claudia Cohen was the “gossip girl” in the early years of the NYC homecoming.  She knew everybody and everything.

• She introduced Regis to Elaine’s restaurant on the Upper East Side.

• There they would run into Woody Allen and Francisco Ford Coppola.

• She was also a super loyal friend who wrote Steve Rubell every day in prison as he served for tax evasion.

• She once locked horns with Zsa Zsa Gabor when Gabor tried to get her removed from the makeup chair.

• Regis and family moved from a house in Hollywood to a 2-bedroom apartment in NYC.

• Gelman used to babysit for him and Joy. 

• In 2007, Claudia became terminally ill with ovarian cancer.

• New York is a breeze as long as you're lucky enough to know the somebody who knows all the other right somebodies.

• A generous spirit is an unforgettable spirit-and also irreplaceable.

George Steinbrenner

• Regis met George Steinbrenner at the Indianapolis 500 in the early 1990’s.

• Steinbrenner grew up in Cleveland.

• Hal Trotsky was the first basemen for the Cleveland Indians in 1949.

• Regis once did batting practice with the Yankees at their spring training in Florida.

• He fouled a ball into his shin which gave him a nagging bump.

• He once took in a game with Steinbrenner and the Yankees were down.  When he went to use the bathroom, they mounted a comeback and Steinbrenner insisted he remain in the suite and not go to the bathroom because he was bringing the Yankees luck.  The game went into extra innings before Regis could relieve himself.

• Steinbrenner passed away suddenly the morning of the 2010 All-Star Game.

• Regis and Trump went to the game that night to pay their respects to their fallen friend and fellow New Yorker.

• Most superstitions in sports are, of course, crazy. But guess what? Strangely enough, they often work.

• The bigger you build your dreams, the more likely you are to take heat from detractors. Forget about the heat and just keep building.

• Tough guys have more heart than you know.

• Next time you see a baseball player get hit by a pitch, just know it hurts. Believe me, it hurts a lot.

Joe DiMaggio

• Joe DiMaggio ran differently than other places.  He looked more graceful and confident.

• In 1941, he set the record for hits in consecutive games by getting one in 56 straight games.

• Les Brown’s band had a hit called “Joltin’ Joe DiMaggio.”

• Joe served in the military for 3 years during his baseball career.

• He retired after the 1951 season.

• Mickey Mantle become DiMaggio’s replacement the next season.

• Joe married Marilyn Monroe.

• DiMaggio was not cut out for Hollywood.

• When Monroe died in 1962, DiMaggio flew to Hollywood, took over the funeral service, and banned people he believed brought harm to her.

• Monroe is buried in a marble crypt at Westwood Village Memorial Park Cemetery.

• A mysterious person had sent half a dozen red roses to her grave 3 times a week for decades.  The person was rumored to be DiMaggio.

• In 1997, Regis was early to Steinbrenner’s suite for a game.  He saw a man sitting alone in one section of the seats and realized it was DiMaggio.  He sat down and the man recognized Regis and allowed him to come over and talk.

• DiMaggio was known as the “Yankee Clipper”

• He retired to Florida, where he told Regis he often took in his morning show.

• DiMaggio passed away March 8th, 1999 from complications of lung cancer.

• The most talented people will make their work look much easier than it really is.

• Marriages that look much too glamorous to be true usually are.

• Our quietest heroes, more often than you think, make the loudest impact of all.

Jerry Seinfeld

• Regis’ biggest pet peeve is being late.

• He was late to a Seinfeld party back in the day.

• He started watching Seinfeld when it aired at 11pm in New York.  He considers it this generation’s “I Love Lucy”

• Regis feels Jerry has an infectious laugh and is always smiling and in high spirits.  Something lost in the modern world.

• Jerry feels the same about Regis.

• Guess what? Watching bad news at the end of the day will never help you sleep restfully. Not these days.

• It's better to arrive late at a great party than never to arrive at all. The best parties always last longer and keep getting better anyway. Just show up!

• The funniest things that happen in life are usually to be found in the tiniest aggravations.

Steven Spielberg

• Once on the Joey Bishop show, Regis unknowingly asked a young Steven Spielberg what he wanted to be when he was older.

• Spielberg frozen and never gave an answer but told it to Regis years later at a movie premiere.

• Never underestimate a shy teenager. Particularly if you happen to be one.

• When starting out, it's probably best to first demonstrate your prospective talent than to try talking about it - especially before that talent has had its chance to develop.

George Clooney

• There was once a time when every city or medium-sized town had their own TV hits.

• Regis filled in a talk show based out of Cincinnati, for Nick Clooney.   

• His brother is George Clooney.

• One time, Regis and Joy were invited to spend the weekend at an Italian villa.

• Regis received a phone call saying George Clooney wanted to invite him, Joy, and the rest of their party to his own private villa on Lake Como.

• Clooney spends every summer on Lake Como.

• His motorcycle broke down in front of the house, and after he knocked on the door to use the phone, he fell in love with it and bought it on the spot.

• They had a wild night, and years later, Regis found out George considers it one of the best nights he ever had.

• Almost without exception, midwestern people are a uniquely open and friendly breed apart. (Don't ask me why, but they just are.)

• Sometimes, when you hear that old phrase "it's all in the genes," it really is all in the genes.

Jack Nicholson

• Jack Nicholson never does interviews.

• He called Regis live on the air to invite him to a Laker’s game.

• He is a passionate art collector.

• Jack sits in section 102 of the Staples Center.

• Once you've perfected a mystique for yourself you can have fund doing wildly unpredictable things (like get through to Regis on live television if you happen to be Jack Nicholson!).

• A man who doles out nicknames is a man who pays more attention than you think. (It happens to be one of my own favorite things to do - I like noticing people and their quirks....) And, believe it or not, they really like their nicknames.  Makes them feel special.

Howard Stern

• Regis and Howard Stern were once neighbors.

• Howard used to pick on Regis during his show, but later proved it was just for laughs.

• People who outwardly seem the most intimidating are usually quite the opposite - once you get to know them a little better.

• Nice and unpredictable things can happen during elevator rides.  So, try to tolerate all the "ups and downs" in between.

Charles Grodin

• Charles Grodin started writing at the age of nine.

• Regis’ favorite restaurant in Greenwich is Valbella.

• Chuck was always interested in helping people who struggled in life.

• There's a difference between wanting answers and desperately needing answers. Especially if you ever hope to get any sleep at night.

• Helping others will, more often than not, help you yourself find a greater sense of fulfillment.

David Letterman

• David Letterman and Regis have one of the most unique relationships ever.

• They’re constantly cracking jokes on one another. 

• They both had triple bypass surgery.

• Regis was Letterman’s first guest back after both the open heart surgery and 9/11.

• Letterman returned to the airwaves Sept 17th, 2001 following the Sept 11th attacks.

• Regis was on with Dan Rather.

• Letterman was shocked when he learned Regis was looking to “retire”.

• David also owned a home in Montana.

• A joke at your own expense really costs you nothing, if it's delivered with affection, or something close to it.

• Those who've shared the same health scares as you and eagerly comfort you along the way are the realest friends you can find.

• Laughter heals us all.  So, you might as well just laugh. A lot.

Joy Philbin

• Joy and Regis were married March 1st, 1970.

• They met on the set of the Joey Bishop Show.

• Joy once turned down Marlon Brando.

• They were married in Forest Lawn.

• They renewed their vows live on TV in 1982.

• If you are lucky enough to find the right one, you'll know it. Then just hang on for dear life. Dearer life, really.

—————
Overall, this book is an amazing read.  Regis Philbin writes incredible books.  Truly one of the last original gentlemen from the golden age of TV talk shows.  He has met and worked with them all, and he is easily one of, if not the best, of all-time.  
I highly recommend this book, and honestly any Regis Philbin book for that matter.  He is the embodiment of a dream that came true.  His success has opened tremendous doors, and hearing all about his adventures in life has been fascinating.  
I feel a bit sad and emotional finishing this book.  I remember getting it that day in Powell’s, and between reading this one (briefly at first, and to completion here) and “I’m Only One Man”, I always walked away feeling all the better for reading them.  So I encourage you to check it out today.
On to book #46: “Paterno” by Joe Posnanski.