Regis Philbin wows hundreds in Huntington

Regis Philbin took the late limo to Long Island Wednesday night, arriving a full hour behind schedule for his 7 p.m. book signing at Book Revue in Huntington.

"It took me longer to get here than it did to write the book," Philbin said to a cheering audience of 800.

All but 100 or so -- those who arrived early enough to find seats -- had been standing, waiting for him for two hours.

Philbin's "How I Got This Way" book tour coincides with his farewell from TV's "Live! With Regis & Kelly."

Among his patient fans at Book Revue was Nicole Schimpf of Commack, who said she named her dog, a Westie terrier, Regis.

Rose Keuler of East Northport said Wednesday night's crowd rivaled those for President Bill Clinton and "Jersey Shore's" Snooki. "I can't imagine getting to see people like this any other way," Keuler said. "This is for us little people."

Because he arrived late, Philbin answered the few questions he took with, "It's all in my book." Of Kelly Ripa, his current co-host, he said, "She's one of the most beautiful women on television."

Philbin has hosted -- always with a female sidekick --his syndicated morning show from Manhattan for 28 years, with Ripa for 11 years and Kathie Lee Gifford the previous 15.

Gifford makes a return appearance on Philbin's penultimate show Thursday morning. His last show is Friday.

Including his "Live!" show, Philbin has logged an estimated 17,000 on-air TV hours in his career.