Who
Wants To Be a Millionaire? the highest rated prime time
quiz show ever, made “Is that your final answer?” the most popular
catchphrase of 1999 and the show’s host, Regis Philbin, an overnight
success at age 66. Regis (or Reeg as he is affectionately known),
born on August 25, 1933 (see chart notes about birthdate), is
everywhere—talk shows, the news and magazine covers. He’s the
current media darling—not bad for a guy from the Bronx who, let’s
face it, is more accustomed to collective sneers and jeers than
popular acclaim.
Sun
in Virgo: A Persnickety Kind of Guy
It’s
hard to describe just what talents Regis Philbin brings to the
small screen. Live with Regis and Kathie Lee (Regis’
day job) is a staple of the morning talk show scene. Jerry Seinfeld
reportedly said that Regis and co-host Kathie Lee Gifford do nothing
better than anyone else on TV. It’s not surprising that Regis,
with Sun in Virgo, would excel at what he chose to do. Perfection
is a quality that is typical of those with Sun in Virgo. They
strive for it, mostly from others, but often for themselves as
well. They are not afraid of hard work, either. This may by Regis’
secret weapon—the ability to keep working hard in an industry
that would have easily let him walk away any number of times.
Since
they are so in tune with the ideal of perfection, it’s easy for
a Virgo to notice imperfection. Others may view this as fussiness,
but a Virgo sees pointing out discrepancies and errors as his
life’s mission. Regis has carefully crafted an image of being
the “aggrieved” little guy, delighting his audiences and getting
them to identify with his predicaments. His “host chat” segments
with Kathie Lee are filled with complaints about workmen who didn’t
do the job correctly, telephone lines that never seem to work,
in-laws who plan to visit for a weekend and stay a month, and
jibes to Live’s producer Michael Gelman about everything,
including wardrobe, the set, the contests and the guests.
Virgos
are also usually fitness-conscious, and the “Live” show carries
frequent segments on health and well-being. All of America can
witness Regis getting his blood pressure checked or his annual
flu shot. Regis is quite vocal about his battle with heart and
cholesterol problems, so it’s no accident that he is a pitchman
for heart-healthy products and a spokesman for the American Heart
Association. And, of course, he garnered even more publicity recently
discussing heart disease as a guest on David Letterman’s “Late
Night” show the very night before Letterman had emergency quintuple
bypass surgery.
Mercury
in Leo: Let’s Get it Right
Regis’
Mercury, the planet of communication and ruler of Virgo, is in
Leo (the sign of the performer), making it perfectly natural for
Regis to make a career of entertainment talk shows. His big break
came in 1967 as Joey Bishop’s sidekick on an ill-fated late night
show (hard to compete with the Carson/McMahon team). To Regis’
great humiliation, most of Bishop’s jokes were at Regis’ expense.
People with Mercury in Leo have the overwhelming need to maintain
dignity and be correct. Therefore, it is not surprising that his
job as Bishop’s co-host was reportedly one of the most unhappy
and frustrating times in his life.
Regis’
Leo Mercury is in a tight opposition to his Saturn in Aquarius,
adding to that theme of needing to be right. Saturn also seeks
mastery and lends determination, giving Regis the added impetus
to succeed in a very competitive business. In addition, Saturn
in combination with Mercury often adds wit, timing and a sense
of irony, which are all-important qualities for a talk show host.
Moon
in Scorpio: A Look at the Darker Side
One
of the appeals of the Regis and Kathie Lee show is the contrast
between the two co-hosts. Regis is often cranky and sulking, holding
on to slights and transgressions, while Kathie Lee is all sweetness
and light. Those with Moon in Scorpio can be easily hurt and are
often jealous. Before his recent success, one could pick up a
tinge of envy in Regis’ voice when he was discussing Kathie Lee’s
latest projects.
Although
Regis’ Mars is in Libra, it is conjunct the Scorpio Moon, adding
even more salt and vinegar to that already touchy placement. Uranus
opposes the Moon and Mars, adding a spontaneity and brilliance
to the combination. He’s wonderful at repartee and practically
invented the concept of “host chat”— talking to the camera about
everything or nothing at all. Those with a strong Uranus can either
be technically gifted or technically challenged; Regis has trouble
setting the VCR and admits to being computer-phobic.
Timing
Success: The Power of Eclipses
Now
that we have a little understanding of Regis’ natal chart, let’s
examine why Regis has achieved such great heights this year. One
clue may be in 1999’s eclipse patterns, which activated Regis’
Mercury (communication) and Saturn (expertise, mastery). Saturn,
the planet of excellence, is a key factor to Regis’ good fortune.
Saturn is also said to favor older, more mature people, as well
as to rule matters that are “delayed.” So, it is quite appropriate
that the pinnacle of Regis’ career should occur when Saturn was
such a prominent prominent a factor in his chart.
Incidentally,
hosting the most popular new TV show was not the only honor Regis
received in 1999. Notre Dame University awarded Regis an honorary
Doctor of Laws degree. This must certainly be a great distinction
for Regis, who is a Notre Dame alumnus and their football team’s
biggest and most prominent fan.
Congratulations,
Regis, you deserve all this recognition and more. You make doing
your job look so easy, which is, after all, the mark of true greatness.