Mary Hart Leaves 'Entertainment Tonight' After Upcoming Season

Mary Hart, the host of Entertainment Tonight, announced today that her final year on the show will be ET's upcoming 30th season, which launches September 13, 2010. Hart joined ET in 1982 and was inducted into the Broadcasting & Cable Hall of Fame in 1999 recognizing her contributions to television.

Hart says, "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 realize 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!"

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!"

No decision has been made on who will replace Hart on the highest rated syndicated magazine show on television.

John Nogawski, President of CBS Television Distribution adds, "ET and Mary Hart have created the genre of entertainment news. Not only has she defined ET for almost three decades but she's defined entertainment journalism. Revered by both the entertainment community and viewers, Mary has been a fixture in our lives and we'll miss her dearly. We look forward to celebrating Mary's career in this exciting season to come."

Entertainment Tonight is produced and distributed by CBS Television Distribution and is taped in Studio City, Calif. Linda Bell Blue is executive producer. Mary Hart is host; Mark Steines is co-host. Kevin Frazier is weekend anchor and correspondent. Samantha Harris is correspondent. Leonard Maltin is film historian/correspondent.

CBS Television Distribution is a unit of CBS Corp.

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