Regis Recovering From Heart Surgery

NEW YORK (AP) -- Kelly Ripa says Regis Philbin, her co-host on "Live With Regis and Kelly," is in good shape after having heart bypass surgery this week.

Ripa said Philbin, 75, came through his surgery Wednesday with flying colors.

"He is already up joking around with the nurses and the doctors and harassing people and picking on people," Ripa said. The doctor "told us what we already knew: that Regis Philbin has the heart of a 19-year-old."

Ripa, 36, said she plans to keep her promise to give Philbin some special attention: a sponge bath.

"I'm so thrilled that you're feeling better," she said, "and nursie-poo is coming with her sponge!"

MTV's Damien Fahey, who was filling in for Philbin on Thursday's show, had a better idea: "It would be nice to bathe him on-air, you know what I mean? We replace the desk with a tub, we run some warm water."

Ripa replied: "That's the pay-per-view special."

Philbin said on Monday's show that he was having the surgery because "there's some plaque in some arteries and I've got to get it cleaned out."

The Walt Disney Co.'s Buena Vista Television distributes "Live With Regis and Kelly."

On the Net:

"Live With Regis and Kelly":

http://tvplex.go.com/buenavista/regisandkelly

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