Regis Philbin was just kidding when he touted "Survivor" host Jeff Probst as a guy who "would kill to sit here every day" as his talk-show successor.

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Philbin gave Probst the big build-up when introducing him on Tuesday's "Live with Regis & Kathy" show, noting Probst is a favorite of Executive Producer Michael Gelman, the New York Post reported Wednesday.

"This is a guy who would kill, kill to sit here every day," Philbin said of Probst, who has subbed for the 73-year-old when the talk show maven vacationed.

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Gelman "is grooming him for the day I say adios amigos -- you'll see him fighting his way in," Philbin said.

Philbin was merely joking with a friend of the show, a spokeswoman said.