Controversy at the Rellys for Second Consecutive Year

Controversy at the Rellys for Second Consecutive Year

Regis Philbin 0-For-2 in 'Best Regis' Category

Philbin, Kelly Ripa, Backstreet Boys, Ryan Seacrest and the Cast of 'Everybody Loves Raymond' Take Home the Gold at Third Annual Ceremony on Today's 'Live with Regis and Kelly'

NEW YORK, Sept. 23 /PRNewswire/ -- For the second year in a row, controversy reigns at the Relly Awards, as Regis Philbin again is shut out in the "Best Regis" category -- again at the hands of a "Saturday Night Live" veteran. This year, comedian and actor Jimmy Fallon took home the prestigious "Best Regis" Golden Stool.

Philbin accepted the award on behalf of the absent Fallon, but shocked the Relly audience by reading a purported letter from Fallon, essentially passing the award to Philbin. The document later was revealed to be a fraud. After the broadcast, Philbin asserted that "Next year will be the year that REGIS is 'Best Regis'!"

In another shocking twist, porcine princess Miss Piggy eked out a win in the "Best Non-Human Guest" category, triumphing over such competition as Mariah Carey's dog Jack, "Star Wars" superstar Chewbacca and Barney the Purple Dinosaur. Singing superstar Carey attempted to call in during the Relly taping to express her disappointment over Jack being passed over in favor of the popular pig.

Another unhappy nominee was talk show host Jimmy Kimmel, who lost the "Best New Co-Host" Relly to "American Idol" host Ryan Seacrest. Kimmel is rumored to be readying a rebuttal for air on tonight's "Jimmy Kimmel Live."

Philbin and fellow host Kelly Ripa were the biggest winners on Friday, and the only nominees to walk away with multiple Golden Stools (two and three, respectively), while cast of "Everybody Loves Raymond" won in the "Funniest Guest" category. "American Idol's" Bo Bice accepted his "Best Reality Guest" award live via satellite from Nashville, and Backstreet Boys Kevin Richardson, AJ McLean and Howie Dorough checked in from Los Angeles to receive their Relly for "Favorite Music Guest."

The complete list of winners:

Best Dressed: Regis and Kelly as "Paris and Nicole" Best Host Chat: Regis and Kelly, "Excited Joaquin" Best Junior Achiever: Dakota Fanning Best New Co-Host: Ryan Seacrest Best Non-Human Guest: Miss Piggy Best Prop: Confetti Best Reality Guest: Bo Bice Best Regis: Jimmy Fallon Best Wild & Wacky: Kelly Ripa, "The Kiss" Funniest Guest: The cast of "Everybody Loves Raymond" Favorite Music Guest: Backstreet Boys Most Touching Moment: Cindy Vander Kodde, "Good Morning Cindy"

Source: Buena Vista TV

CONTACT: Barbara Warren of Buena Vista TV, +1-212-456-0417

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