How I Got This Way (11 page)
Read How I Got This Way Online
Authors: Regis Philbin
But in the end, let’s just say that Joey Bishop was a tough taskmaster. He wanted everything to be perfect, and for those seven minutes together every night, I hope I came close to meeting that expectation. I never forgot for a moment that he was the king of the quick comeback line. Nobody did it better. Both of us did what we had to do, and I was proud to be a part of it.
WHAT I TOOK AWAY FROM IT ALL
Learn what you can from old mistakes, but don’t dwell on them too long or you may miss out on some truly great opportunities.
When pressure gets the best of you, remember to take time out. A brisk walk can clear the mind and leave you ready to laugh again.
That’s me, of course, flanked by my parents on the hallowed grounds of Notre Dame in 1953. They were happy I graduated . . . and relieved I’d given up the idea of singing.
Notre Dame’s football coaches impressed me so much over the years. The first one I met, Frank Leahy, later appeared as a guest on my first TV show.
I love this picture of Lou Holtz honoring me as his assistant coach for the day at a halftime scrimmage. (Well, why wouldn’t he—we won the game, didn’t we?!)
Michael & Susan Bennett, Lighthouse Imaging
This photo of Joy and me with Ara Parseghian and his wife, Katie, at the 1971 Cotton Bowl in Texas is another favorite. It was a great day for the Irish.
I was a young ensign in the Navy when I met Major Bill Rankin (pictured on the right with me before a quick flight over Southern California). When he and another formidable major, Keigler Flake, ordered me to pursue my dream career in TV, I didn’t dare argue.
My first job as a roving reporter entailed driving around in this 1240 KSON News vehicle rigged with all kinds of crazy equipment.
I later had my own show on KOGO TV in San Diego, where I covered events around town like this one at the Old Globe Theatre, which is still one of the most prestigious theaters in the country.
I had great fun with guests such as Ronald Reagan. (Who knew he’d become president one day?)
William Pritchett Collection
And more fun with the beautiful bombshell Jayne Mansfield. (Well, maybe not as much fun as this picture suggests—I was just adjusting her microphone. I swear! Well, somebody had to do it.)
And who could forget the famed San Diego hypnotist Dr. Michael Dean . . .
William Pritchett Collection
But it was guest Walter Winchell, the celebrated gossip columnist from New York, who really helped launch me into the big time by mentioning me in his column!
