September 22nd, 2005

Regis Philbin Toasts Small Press Book on
How to MC a Wedding Reception

NEW YORK – A self-published book about how to emcee a wedding was featured last week on one of the world’s top-rated morning TV talk shows – “Live with Regis & Kelly.”

Author Tom Haibeck (“high beck”) was “flabbergasted” when a friend called him last Friday morning to say that Regis Philbin was reading from his book, “The Wedding MC: A Complete Guide to Success for the Master of Ceremonies” in preparation for his daughter’s upcoming wedding.

“This just happens to be a pretty good book,” said Philbin, as he held it aloft for a camera to zoom in on. He then explained that with his daughter soon to be married, he was starting to work on a wedding toast for the occasion, and had discovered Haibeck’s book in the process. He then read aloud four of the suggested wedding-related one-liners from the back of the book, causing his audience to howl with laughter (to view the clip, visit www.WeddingToasts.com).

Philbin also emphasized the importance of having a good emcee for a wedding reception, and kibitzed with his producer, Michael Gelman, about whether he would be qualified to emcee his daughter’s wedding (despite his many years of experience in producing Philbin’s show).

Haibeck missed most of the live segment, but managed to get a copy of the tape later that day. “I almost had a heart attack when I saw Regis Philbin reading from my book,” said Haibeck. “He’s a broadcasting legend – with an international television audience of some five million viewers – and I’m truly honored that he would actually recommend my book.”

The timing of the segment is particularly potent for the self-published book, as Haibeck had just negotiated an agreement with a US book distributor last spring and the book has just recently become available in US bookstores. (US distributor: Midpoint Trade Books).

Haibeck has since offered his services to Mr. Philbin to do an on-air coaching segment on how to make a wedding toast and/or how to emcee a wedding. The show’s producers are currently considering the offer.

“The Wedding MC: A Complete Guide to Success for the Master of Ceremonies” is an international best-seller with more than 75,000 copies sold. It is available at a cost of $9.95 US in bookstores across North America, including Barnes & Noble, Waldenbooks, Borders, Chapters/Indigo and at Amazon.com. For more information about The Wedding MC handbook, please visit the author’s website at www.WeddingToasts.com .

Video: The Wedding MC handbook profiled on "Live with Regis and Kelly"
-- September 16, 2005