Mary Hart To Leave Entertainment Tonight
Aug. 5 2010, Published 9:00 a.m. ET
Mary Hart, the long-time host of Entertainment Tonight announced Thursday that she will leave the show next year, RadarOnline.com can report.
Hart - who joined ET in 1982 - released a statement saying her final year on the show would be ET's upcoming 30th season, which launches on September 13 of this year.
In the statement, 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!"
As for speculation who will succeed Hart - Lara Spencer, host of The Insider, reportedly wants the job, while Samantha Harris has been filling in recently for Hart while she's on vacation.
According to the statement on ET's website, "no decision has been made on who will replace Hart on the highest rated syndicated magazine show on television."