New York ? Regis Philbin is returning to primetime.

The “Live with Regis and Kelly” host will helm the new version of “This Is Your Life” for ABC. The series is a new version of the 1950s and ’60s NBC original created and hosted by Ralph Edwards that each week surprised a guest with an often-emotional recounting of his or her life.

“My network needs me! I’m there,” Philbin said in a statement. “‘This Is Your Life’ was always one of my favorite shows.”

“This Is Your Life” – which ABC calls “the original reality show” – varied its subjects from celebrities to prominent business figures to regular folks. The format for the Philbin-hosted version hasn’t yet been announced, nor has an air date.

Philbin, 74, hosted “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire” for ABC from 1999 to 2002. Based on a British export, it was a giant hit, but saw its ratings fall dramatically in its final season before being spun off in syndication with Meredith Vieira as host.