"There wasn't much there compared to what you've got now, but it was exciting."

Philbin, 78, says he's jazzed about taping four episodes today and Monday with co-host Kelly Ripa at the Encore Theater. (KTNV-TV, Channel 13, will air them at 9 a.m. on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, with something from the vaults on Thanksgiving. The show airs from 9 to 10 a.m. weekdays on KVCW-TV, Channel 33)

"I think it's a nice shot in the arm for all of us on the show," Philbin says. "I love the fact that we're right there -- the entertainment capital of the world."

Scheduled guests include Las Vegas native Jimmy Kimmel and actors Neil Patrick Harris, Mark Harmon and Thomas Gibson. In addition, Ripa is slated to croon with the casts of "Le Reve" and the Beatles-inspired "Love."

Still, nothing can ever replace old Vegas for this die-hard Rat Pack fan. This is a guy who -- every morning before his talk show -- blasts Dean Martin in his dressing room.

"Practically all of the talent that interested me years ago is gone now," Philbin says. "Tony Bennett and Don Rickles are still friends of mine who still perform, and I think they're just marvelous. But in the old days, I just think there were more performers to choose from and it was a bigger thrill to see them."

Philbin last broadcast his New York-based morning talk show from Las Vegas in January 2001, in that nether region between Kathie Lee Gifford and Ripa. (Revolving guest hosts included Vanessa Williams, Mary Hart, Whoopi Goldberg and Tony Danza.) But every couple of years, he pops into town as a spectator. (He and wife Joy celebrated their 38th wedding anniversary here in March 2008, taking in "Love.")

"The whole concept of entertainment has changed," Philbin says. "Now you've got these tremendous revue shows. It's more of a spectacular onstage, rather than one person coming out and enchanting you with his personality and his songs, you know?"

In the late '60s, Philbin actually got to meet and hang out with his idols. He played the Ed McMahon-ish sidekick role on Joey Bishop's ABC-TV talk show, which frequently booked Martin, Sammy Davis Jr. and Peter Lawford (although never Rat Pack leader Frank Sinatra).

"When those guys would come and be a part of the show, it was always fun hanging around, watching them rehearse and kibitzing," he says.

Philbin says he and Bishop took road trips to Las Vegas "a couple of times" from 1967 to 1969, but there are no decadent stories of black eyes, blackouts or pregnant cocktail waitresses -- at least none that can be revealed.

"I really can't think of anything that you would consider wild," Philbin says. "Sorry to keep my so-called reputation intact."

Tickets to "Live With Regis and Kelly" are all spoken for. However, standbys may be available. Those wishing to try their luck should be at the Encore Theater at Wynn Las Vegas, 3131 Las Vegas Blvd. South, at least one hour before the 11 a.m. or 1:30 p.m. tapings today and tomorrow.

Contact reporter Corey Levitan at clevitan @reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0456.