Regis Philbin to Host Macy's 4th of July Fireworks Show on NBC

NBC seems to be taking a liking to Regis Philbin.   Tomorrow he's  subbing for Hoda Kotb on the fourth hour of the Today show, back alongside his old Live! co-host Kathie Lee Gifford.

Now, the network has announced that Philbin, 80, will host “Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks® Spectacular."  The special will feature performances by Katy Perry and Kenny Chesney, among others. It airs Wednesday, July 4th from 9-10 p.m. ET.

"Regis Philbin has been an integral part of every American's life for a generation, which makes him the perfect host for our nation's birthday celebration," said Doug Vaughan, SVP of Special Programs and Late Night for NBC. "We're thrilled to have his unique and legendary talents involved in this very special day."

Philbin first stepped in front of the camera more than 50 years ago, and since then has ambitiously tackled talk shows, game shows and the literary world, winning a slew of notable awards along the way. Last year, he and co-host Kelly Ripa were honored as co-winners of the 2011 Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Talk Show Host for “Live with Regis and Kelly.”

In September 2011, he broke his own Guinness World Record for most hours on camera on U.S. television, setting a new mark of 16,746.50 hours accumulated over his illustrious career – a career that was recognized with the Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences at the 2008 Daytime Emmy Awards.

Since departing from “Live with Regis and Kelly” last year, Philbin has appeared in several television and film roles, including “Hot in Cleveland,” “The Celebrity Apprentice” and “Jack and Jill.”

The Macy's 4th of July Fireworks, the nation's largest Fourth of July fireworks display, returns to the Hudson River to illuminate the sky over New York City with a glorious spectrum of colors, shapes and sparkling dazzlers. More than 40,000 firework shells will ignite the sky for the nation's 236th birthday party, choreographed to a rousing patriotic score. "Ignite the Night," the theme of the 36th annual Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks display, is produced by Macy’s and designed in conjunction with Pyro Spectaculars by Souza of Rialto, CA.

The telecast is a production of Universal Television in association with Macy's.