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Mary Hart confirms her Entertainment Tonight exit

It's true. Entertainment Tonight's 30th season will be the last for Mary Hart.

Entertainment Tonight‘s 30th season will be the last for Mary Hart, the US presenter has announced.

Hart, a former English teacher, joined Entertainment Tonight in 1982, with the show not even a year old. She was paired most famously at the anchor desk for 10 years with John Tesh, who left in 1996 to concentrate on his music career. Mark Steines is her current co-anchor.

In a statement Hart said, “I’ve had the privilege of spending 29 years doing something I love – how often does that happen? I’ve had the support of a stupendous group of people starting with Linda Bell Blue, John Nogawski and many others who are so talented on our staff at ET. I only meant to be at ET for three years, suddenly it’s almost 30! I’ve reached a point when I clearly realise it’s time for a change.

“There are many things I want to do in my life and I’d better get on with them. It will certainly be with mixed sentiments that I say ‘goodbye’ at the end of the season, but it will definitely be with a sense of celebration…30 years of Entertainment Tonight, are you kidding me? That’s an accomplishment and something I’m very proud of!”

Her announcement follows speculation this week that Insider‘s Lara Spencer was hedging for the anchor role, but so far no replacement has been announced.

Executive Producer Linda Bell Blue, who has helmed the show since 1995 says, “Mary is one of my closest friends and although I respect her decision I will miss her tremendously. Right now we are focused on making this next season the very best in her long history with ET. She will remain first on the red carpet for the biggest award shows and will continue to interview Hollywood’s top stars. We’re going to have a lot of fun this year!”

It’s not clear when her last day will be, but it’s likely to be in May 2011.

Source: Deadline Hollywood, Associated Press

15 Responses

  1. I’M with Jaye and Mr Do-Bee who must be of a certain age and good taste to prefer Leeza Gibbons over the plastic Mary Hart – too much, over the top and at times quite insincere. When they show you archival iv’s of Mary – you see how heightened her delivery has become. Samantha Harris is probably the successor, but Lara Spencer is my choice!

  2. Typical ET form. They announce big news on Mary Hart’s departure which is?….not happening until next May.
    Just like the majority of their shows are all “coming right up”, “don’t go anywhere”, “stay tuned”…and before you know it, there is no story, just a hastily edited series of 3-second clips and it’s happy birthday to the stars and goodnight.
    Love you Mary, but hate the anti-climaxes!

  3. mary hart always reminds me of the seinfeld episode where when ever kramer hears her voice on TV he goes into convulsions – hillarious…” Im Mary Hart “

  4. Although never a fan of Mary Hart (preferred Leeza Gibbons hosting), this show used to be must watch for people looking out for new release movies and news of the latest American television product. These days I can’t stand it’s obsession with various “celebrities” and crappy American reality television so I seldom watch.

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