Regis Philbin hosts Letterman panel in celebration of National Comedy Center groundbreaking

Regis Philbin hosts Letterman panel in celebration of National Comedy Center groundbreaking

JAMESTOWN, NY – July 21, 2015 – To celebrate the groundbreaking of the National Comedy Center, Regis Philbin will moderate a panel of producers, writers and crew from David Letterman’s Late Show and Late Night. “David Letterman – Behind The Scenes Of Late Night’s Longest Running Broadcaster” will take place on Thursday, July 30th at the Willow Bay Theater in Jamestown, NY as part of the Lucille Ball Comedy Festival.  This will be the first time since David Letterman’s retirement that the group will discuss how they helped craft Letterman’s shows for the last 33 years.

“This event embodies the spirit of the National Comedy Center, and we’re thrilled to host Regis Philbin and these major influencers of comedy,” said Executive Director, Journey Gunderson.

With one hundred and fifty appearances on Late Night/Late Show, Regis Philbin holds the record as the most frequent Letterman guest.  Philbin took part in countless comedy bits on the show and his banter with Letterman was legendary. Over the last five decades, Regis has hosted numerous shows, including: Live with Regis and Kathie Lee, Live with Regis and Kelly, Who Wants to Be a Millionaire and The Regis Philbin Show.

The panelists for the evening are: Barbara Gaines (Executive Producer/Associate Producer Late Show/Late Night), Jerry Foley (Director/Supervising Producer/Technical Director Late Show/Late Night), Steve O’Donnell (Head Writer/Writer Late Night/Late Show), Steve Young (Head Monologue Writer/Writer Late Show/Late Night), and Biff Henderson (Stage Manager Late Show/Late Night).  Gaines and Foley were each nominated in the 2015 Emmy Awards announcement last week.

Tickets are on sale at www.lucycomedyfest.com or 716.484.0800.

The National Comedy Center is a new $40 million attraction that will celebrate comedy: the craft and its greatest contributors.  The groundbreaking ceremony takes place Saturday, August 1st in Jamestown, New York. The weekend also includes Jerry Seinfeld, Melissa Rivers, Nick Offerman, Kelly Carlin, the family of Harold Ramis, the critically-acclaimed kids comedy troupe Story Pirates, showcases including Joe Machi, Andy Hendrickson, Michelle Wolf, Michael Palascak, Jon Rineman, Paul Morrissey, and more than 40 events in four days.