Nominees Announced for the Fourth Annual Relly Awards

Nominees Announced for the Fourth Annual Relly Awards

Regis Philbin and Kelly Ripa Return to Host 2006 Awards Ceremony on 'Live With Regis and Kelly,' Airing Friday, September 22, 2006

Will Philbin Finally Take Home 'Best Regis?'

Mariah Carey's Dog 'Jack' Earns Second Consecutive Nomination!

NEW YORK, Aug. 18 /PRNewswire/ -- The full list of nominees has been announced for the Fourth Annual Relly Awards, "Live with Regis and Kelly's" gala awards show airing on September 22, 2006.

Repeat nominees from last year include "Live" hosts Regis Philbin and Kelly Ripa, actor Mark Consuelos, late night host Jimmy Kimmel, actor Ted McGinley, and, in the Best Non-Human Guest category, purple dinosaur Barney and Mariah Carey's dog, Jack. (Word is that Carey has been lobbying for a repeat nomination since her beloved Jack Russell terrier was passed over in 2005 by porcine princess Miss Piggy.)

The Rellys recognize the best on-air moments of the past year on "Live," with the winners decided by "Live's" at-home viewing audience, who cast their votes at RellyAwards.com the week of August 28-Sept. 1. The theme of this year's ceremony is "Long Live the Stool" -- referring to the coveted Golden Stool statuette that is the symbol of the excellence of the Rellys, and one of the entertainment industry's most coveted awards.

The always controversial "Best Regis" category -- awarded to the best Regis impersonator -- again is shaping up to be the most hotly-contested race of the 2006 Rellys. Having lost two years in a row, Philbin is hoping to rise to the top of this year's nominees and finally take home the Golden Stool that bears his name. His stellar competition -- all includes Tom Hanks, Jennifer Garner, Anderson Cooper, Neil Patrick Harris, Ted McGinley, Mark Consuelos and co-host Kelly Ripa.

New to the Rellys in 2006 is "Favorite Athlete," with a selection of today's top sports superstars in the running: champion tennis player Maria Sharapova, Jason Kidd of the New Jersey Nets, New York Yankee Johnny Damon, Indy racer Danica Patrick, boxing legend Sugar Ray Leonard, Olympic snowboarder Shaun White and Super Bowl MVP Hines Ward.

Singers and musicians always have a big presence at the Rellys, and this year is no exception, from "Best Winning Reality Guest" nominee Taylor Hicks, to "Best Junior Achiever" Cheyenne Kimball, to "Favorite Music Guest" nominees Shakira & Wyclef Jean, Joss Stone, Ricky Martin, Gretchen Wilson, Alanis Morissette and Stevie Wonder.

After losing the "Best Guest Co-Host" trophy to Ryan Seacrest last year, late night host Jimmy Kimmel will have two chances at a Golden Stool, in "Best Wild and Wacky" and the newly-created "Best Guest Co-Host Moment." He faces stiff competition, especially in the latter category, going up against past nominees Joy Philbin and Mark Consuelos, MTV's Damien Fahey, Pat Sajak and the gorgeous Vanessa Minnillo.

Other new categories this year are Male and Female versions of "Favorite Real Person," and "Favorite Go-Go Dancer" (featured dancers from the daily "Trivia A Go-Go" segment). Returning for a third year to man the red carpet will be awards show maven Joan Rivers, fresh off of the Emmys and having recently conducted her 1,000th red carpet interview.

Source: Buena Vista Television

CONTACT: Barbara Warren of Live with Regis and Kelly, +1-212-456-0417

Web site: http://www.rellyawards.com/

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