Regis Philbin has struck out at numerous reports mentioning a decline in ratings -- particularly among younger viewers -- for Who Wants to Be a Millionaire.

In an interview appearing in today's (Wednesday) New York Times, Philbin said, "I resent the way that we are being kicked around in the press. ... Where the heck would ABC be without Millionaire?" He added that some falloff from last year's spectacular performance was inevitable, saying: "Last year we were a phenomenon. You can't be that forever. This year we're just another Top 10 show, as though that's bad."

Philbin also suggested that the ratings decline may have resulted from ABC's decision to expand it to four nights a week. "Maybe we would have been getting the ratings we are now in another year if they hadn't put us on so often," he told the Times.

Source: Studio Briefing