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Regis & Kelly: On Air During Unthinkable 9/11 Attack
11 Sep
Summary
- Hosts Regis Philbin and Kelly Ripa learned of the 9/11 attacks live on air.
- Executive producer Michael Gelman shared a personal clip of the harrowing broadcast.
- The show aimed to offer unity and relief to a shell-shocked country.
On September 11, 2001, "Live with Regis and Kelly" co-hosts Regis Philbin and Kelly Ripa, along with executive producer Michael Gelman, experienced the unfolding terrorist attacks live on air. Gelman recently shared a personal clip, recounting how he saw news reports of a plane hitting the World Trade Center minutes before the show.
Initially described by Ripa as the worst thing she had ever seen, the hosts soon realized the scale of the horror as a second plane hit. The team decided to abandon their planned lighthearted chat and cover the breaking events. About eleven minutes into the broadcast, they handed off to news coverage.
Following the attacks, the show was pre-empted by news for several days. When "Live with Regis and Kelly" returned the following week, its intention was to offer a small relief and unity to a shell-shocked nation. The team expressed a commitment to never forget those lost and those who served.
