by Victoria Tiegert

Created on: September 14, 2008

When Regis and Kathie Lee Gifford got together every morning to greet me, I started my day with a smile. When Kelly Ripa came aboard and replaced Kathie Lee, I started my day realizing that I should lose a few pounds, get my hair done, and join a tanning salon. This is because Kathie Lee was a woman's woman, whereas Kelly is a man's woman. There is nothing wrong with being either, but look at the demographic of viewers.

The Regis show is watched primarily by women who are in their thirties raising families, or retired people. These are the people who are typically home at the show's broadcast times. We enjoyed seeing Kathie Lee's photos of her children and hearing her stories, we related to her, and we loved her. She came into our homes every day with a smile and a breath of fresh air, she became a part of us.

Kathie Lee was fantastic looking, without the Barbie doll look. We, too, could attain her beauty and not by spending all day at the gym starving ourselves. We could do it with just a reasonable diet and a workout video. Her eyes sparkled and her voice held just enough of a rasp that it was imperfect and interesting to the ears. Her facial expressions ranged from one end of the earth to the other. You could never see them all in one show, so we tuned in day after day.

Her life wasn't perfect and neither was any of ours. We understood and admired the grace with which she dealt with her reality. She wasn't fake, she was honest. What a shock in the Hollywood circuit!

The chemistry between Regis and Kathie Lee was unmatched in the world of morning talk shows. It still is. That is not seen between he and Kelly. Regis' dry humor was taken on and complemented by Kathie Lee's edgy, but friendly comebacks. She has a spark and is quick-witted.

Kathie Lee is an intelligent woman. She kept up on current news world wide. She was always ready with a response, even when it wasn't the expected one. She had morals and values and was proud of them. Kathie Lee Gifford exuded class with sexy undertones. Her clothes were conservative and well put together, while still showing off her best assets. She was a fashion icon for women.

When Kathie Lee left, it was like a member of our family had moved away. As her potential replacements came by the set one by one, I hoped she and the producers would see that she couldn't leave. Kathie Lee was completely irreplaceable.

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