Regis Philbin's Replacement Search: Round 1 [thankfully] over, Neil Patrick Harris with Round 2 wins so far

It's now been two weeks of Live With Kelly's search for former co-host Regis Philbin's replacement. For the first 5 days, Jerry Seinfeld sat on Kelly's left, which was weird in itself--Kelly was in Regis' seat.

 

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Seinfeld is a very famous and talented actor, but that's what he is--an actor. It was very evident his experience in front of a live audience was limited, no matter how much stand-up he's done, the Live setup is just not the same. He was awkward, but even worse than he didn't seem to have any on-camera connection with Kelly Ripa.

The usually bubbly, silly, and animated co-host is now the top dog on the show, but the first week was just wrong. She seemed very uncomfortable, even unhappy and it made me change channel.

The second week was a lot better. It's still weird to see Kelly in Regis' seat (see how it's still Regis' seat...not Kelly's yet), but Neil Patrick Harris really came through. I think it's what the show needed--someone that was comfortable on camera, goofy with Kelly, but smart all the while. But then he says a transgender slur on Friday's show, using a word that the transgender community considers has negative associations. He apologized to Twitter fans later than day.

I love the show, I always have so I'm pulling for it. I truly think that Kelly can pull it off and make it very successful, I just think it will take a little time for us fans to get use to having the lovable Regis gone.

Up next is Dancing with the Stars Derek Hough for the first two days this week, then singer Josh Groban will finish off the rest of the week.