How I Got This Way

In his much-anticipated memoir, talk show host Philbin discusses his decades-long career in television and pays homage to his greatest influences (including his favorite sports teams). The beginning of the book traces his journey from the Bronx to the University of Notre Dame, a subsequent stint in the Navy, and his first hosting gigs, most notably on The Joey Bishop Show. Philbin notes some of his most memorable interviews from those early days, including "king of all the gossip hounds" Walter Winchell and a young Bill Cosby. His most well-known co-hosts receive dedicated chapters where he describes in detail Joey Bishop's sour temperament and his genuine fondness for Kathie Lee Gifford and Kelly Ripa. Later, he shares stories about Hollywood stars, recounting a party at George Clooney's villa at Lake Como and watching a Lakers game courtside with Jack Nicholson. Each chapter of this well-written, fun book ends with a few pieces of relevant advice for the reader, rounding out a work that fans of Regis or general celebrity gossip will surely enjoy. (Nov.)