Regis Philbin's American Idol spinoff. Animals are welcome.

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Morning television personality Regis Philbin was named on Wednesday to host a new prime-time talent contest show that "American Idol" judge Simon Cowell is bringing to rival network NBC this summer.

The upcoming series, "America's Got Talent," is slated to debut June 21 with a two-hour special broadcast, weeks after "American Idol," currently the nation's top-rated program, finishes its latest run on the Fox network.

The choice of Philbin, the veteran breakfast-hour star who helped create a prime-time sensation as host of ABC's "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire," was a sign that producers are going all-out to score a summertime phenomenon for NBC, which is badly in need of a new hit.

Unlike "American Idol," a singing contest limited to amateurs vying for their first professional record deal, the new talent show from Cowell is open to aspiring performers of all stripes -- singers, dancers, comics, magicians, acrobats, even animal acts.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20060511/tv_nm/leisure_talent_dc_4

I know I reached my maximum Regis level years ago :eyes:. He should retire already.

THE ARISTROCRATS! :D