The late, great Regis Philbin is spinning in his grave.

For years and year, Regis showed up faithfully at 7 Lincoln Square every morning by 8:30am and hosted “Live with Regis and Kathie Lee.” Kathie Lee Gifford, too. They did shows five days a week, often holidays. They rarely took vacations or had substitutes in the studio.

But you know, that was a long time ago.

Now “Live with Kelly and Mark” is no longer “live” five days a week. Or four. The married couple, Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos, are working three days a week. According to the show’s website, “Live” will have just 14 live episodes in May. Each week they will work in three day bunches. On two of those they will tape an extra show.

The whole reason and magic of Regis Philbin’s show was that he and wife Joy, and Kathie Lee and Frank Gifford, were out on the town at least three nights a week. They went to Broadway openings, movie premieres, concerts. They went to cocktail parties where they ran into other famous people. They had adventures. And then the next morning they’d talk about what they did the previous night.

But when Gifford left, the format of the show started to change. The “host chat,” was it was called under Regis’s terms with Kathie Lee and then Kelly Ripa, became one sided on Regis’s part. Ripa had young children and did not go out much. The stories, from past and present, fell to Reege.

Then Regis retired. Ripa was hosting with Michael Strahan. They knew no one in real show business and didn’t really socialize. Little by little the structure of host chat became scripted, with the co-hosts reading prepared stories “found in the newspaper.” It was an utter bore. I turned it off. The whole charm of the show was blown.

Ryan Seacrest, a celebrity born in a mall, succeeded Strahan. He’s a drone who works around the clock and wants to no one to know about his personal life, if he has one. Neither he nor Kelly went anywhere at night. Seacrest’s only anecdotes came from hosting “American Idol” in the late winter and early spring. The host chat was now 90% scripted about who eats pretzels in the bathtub and what to do if your cat starts talking to you. I thought about actually working out in the mornings. (I didn’t do it, don’t worry.)

Now the Conseulos couple has kicked “Live” to the curb. Three days a week only? Regis, I can tell you, is horrified in heaven. He and Dean Martin and Jerry Vale are sitting at a table at Elaine’s. You can hear them down here. “Can you believe it?” Regis is saying. “I built that whole formula. And they’ve destroyed it.”

And you know, people still watch. The ratings are good- 1.2 million average every morning. The age group is young mothers who buy stuff, so the advertisers are happy. There’s no real competition. “Dr. Phil” is leaving the air. “Drew Barrymore” gets half that number. So the show can do whatever it wants.

But what a sad turn of events.

Jane Goodall, the iconic conservationist, just turned 89 years young. But that didn’t stop her coming recently to the LA premiere of Apple TV + “Jane”, a family series inspired by her mission of saving savings animals and the environment, premiered recently at the California Science Center where there is an exhibit called ‘Jane’s Endangered Animal Experience. 

From Sinking Ship Entertainment, the live action/CGI blended series was created, written and directed by J.J. Johnson.  The indefatigable Goodall told the audience that “This particular show is coming at really good time.  As you all know, we are going through pretty grim times especially environmentally, the number of animals becoming extinct, the forests being destroyed and the oceans being polluted. Many people, especially young people are losing hope.” 

Goodall went on to say that, “You get to choose what impact you make, what you buy, wear and eat.  When you think that one person making a difference couldn’t mean anything, but if hundreds, thousands and then millions of people are all making ethical choices then that does change things.  To help people, animals and the environment.  Children are changing their parents and grandparents’ minds.  That’s why a series like this, encouraging young people to become interested in saving animals,  is truly thrilling to be a part of.  I love that in the end of each episode the young actors in character, talk to people that are actually studying and helping to save the animals that are talked about in that episode. A program like this, which shows the power of the individual and that everyone is connected to each other every single day, will hopefully inspire every young person and the adults watching this show all over the world.  I’m very happy to be involved with “Jane.”  

J.J. Johnson has done a terrific job indeed with this series.  Each episodes shows tween-aged Jane, played wonderfully by Ava Louise Murchison, who is determined to help save the animals she so dearly loves.  Her sidekick David, a funny, endearing Mason Blomberg, find themselves in their fantasy and reality and in exotic locations, trying to track and save whales, polar bears, tigers bees a, butterflies and more. Jane is named after her idol, Jane Goodall, and boy does she do her homework.  She literally is obsessed with the animal world and the dangers they face and has an almost photographic memory in her quest to help them. Jane’s exasperated but supportive Mom is played sweetly by Tamara Almeida.  Ava plays Jane with poise and grace.  There are cameos, too as the series goes along, Mary-Louise Parker and more. The CGI and effects are spectacular. 

Oscar winner Diane Warren, a respected animal activist herself, wrote the theme song “One Step Closer” sung beautifully by the great Leona Lewis.  No wonder Jane Goodall is thrilled to be a part of this series.  “Jane” is a series destined to garner the awards it deserves.  Jane Goodall has said that “Let us develop respect for all living things.”  J.J. Johnson’s “Jane” shows that respect that with deep meaning, whimsical humor and hope for children and adults alike. 

“Jane” is now streaming on Apple TV +