Hollywood Exclusive by Marilyn Beck & Stacy Jenel Smith

Regis Philbin says he's bowled over by having been chosen to receive Lifetime Achievement Award honors at the 35th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards June 20. "This kind of thing is usually reserved for the giants in this business," says the "Live With Regis and Kelly" host humbly.

So what does Reege consider his greatest TV achievement? "When you can keep a show on the air for 25 years — I guess that's it. Also, I think the way I start the show, with 20 minutes up front that's all ad lib, referring to events of the day to keep it interesting. We do that more than anyone, and I don't think anyone did that before I did with 'A.M. Los Angeles,'" he says, referring to his 1975-1983 show.

Regis's list of accomplishments also includes putting in more hours on camera than any other American TV personality — per the Guinness Book of World Records — and he's adding to that designation this Sunday (6/1) as the host of CBS's new "Million Dollar Password."

"This is the fifth time it's been brought back," he says of the stalwart word game show that teams celebs (such as Rachael Ray, Rosie O'Donnell and "Password" icon Betty White) with just plain folks. "It's not the sweet, simple show Allen Ludden did years ago, which was calming on your nerves to watch," he advises. "In our version, there's a lot going on. They've taken the format and livened it up with all kinds of bells and whistles suitable for 2008."

Such as? "The chance to win $1 million. When Allan Ludden did the show, someone would win 250 bucks, and people would go crazy. Now everyone wants to be a millionaire, and guess who started that?"

Tell us, Regis! "I did, on 'Who Wants to be a Millionaire.'"

FROM THE HEART: The all-star — Dionne Warwick, Rod Stewart, James Taylor and Martina McBride — benefit recording of "What the World Needs Now is Love" on Steve Tyrell's new "Back to Bacharach" CD was truly a labor of love for all involved, reports the Grammy-winning producer/singer.

All proceeds from the tune go to the National Colorectal Cancer Research Alliance (NCCRA) founded by Katie Couric in remembrance of Tyrell's wife, Stephanie, who died in 2003, and Couric's late husband, Jay Monahan.

"The idea was born at Burt Bacharach's house," says Tyrell, who worked with the legendary singer/songwriter on the tribute album of hits by Bacharach and Hal David hitting record stores next month (June). "He said, 'What if we asked some of our friends to donate their voices to this and donate all the monies to NCCRA that Katie founded, so we put it out there. We thought the person to sing the first verse has to be Dionne, and she said, 'Yeah, I'll do it.' Then we sent it to James Taylor, I called my friend Rod, then Martina McBride.

"It's hard to get a bunch of superstars to sing and everybody come off where they're not stepping on each other's toes, but that's what happened. Where we weave the vocals, everybody does something really great but stays out of each other's way. I think it's just a blessing, a gift that everybody did it."

THE VIDEOLAND VIEW: Jordana Spiro tells us that things have gotten so free and easy on the set of her show "My Boys," which returns for season two June 12, "Being able to stay focused has gotten bad. We've gotten pretty undisciplined about the laughing during other people's coverage," says Spiro, who is one of two girls in the cast. "Everybody has a little bit of a sibling relationship. We've all gotten pretty comfortable with each other so I never know if they're laughing at me or with me."

Spiro is definitely used to being outnumbered by men. She spent her series hiatus filming the Will Ferrell-produced feature "The Goods" alongside Jeremy Piven and Ed Helms. "It was another movie where I was surrounded by guys," she notes. And as on the set of "My Boys," trying to get a comedic word in edgewise was not so easy when surrounded by so many talented comedians. "They stuck to the script, but at the same time, they improvised a lot just because they're improvisers and you can't shut them up. You really can't turn them off, but they improvise because they love it."

HOT TICKET ITEM: Mariah Carey, Oprah Winfrey, Jill Scott and Quincy Jones are among the celebrities who've already snatched up the personalized handmade bags designed by Grammy winning and Oscar nominated singer/songwriter Siedah Garrett. Since being featured on "ABC World News Now" Garrett's exclusive line of leather and hand crocheted bags have been flying out of her showroom. For more info, go to www.siedah.com.

With reports by Stephanie DuBois and Emily Feimster.

To find out more about Marilyn Beck and Stacy Jenel Smith and read their past columns, visit the Creators Syndicate Web page at www.creators.com.

COPYRIGHT 2008 MARILYN BECK AND STACY JENEL SMITH

DISTRIBUTED BY CREATORS SYNDICATE, INC.