Nancy O’Dell is officially taking over for Mary Hart as the the new co-host of Entertainment Tonight. According to reports she was able to beat out Lara Spencer to co-show the celebrity tabloid.
O’Dell has been out of work since leaving Access Hollywood over a rumored dispute with her co-host Billy Bush.
The decision to add O’Dell to the lineup occurred after Hart, who had been with ET since the network began in 1982, announced that she was leaving the network.
After CBS and ET announced the replacement both Nancy and Mary chimed in:
“Leaving this job was not an easy decision, but knowing I will pass the baton to Nancy O’Dell makes that decision much easier. Nancy is a talented and respected entertainment correspondent. We have spent many years working on opposite sides of the celebrity battlefield; I look forward to now working together, and I know the show will flourish with Nancy as co-anchor,” Mary told PEOPLE Magazine.
O’Dell chimed in with:
“I remember watching ‘Entertainment Tonight’ when it first premiered and dreaming about working for the show someday,” adding, “I am honored to be the one chosen to fill a TV legend’s seat and I hope I can do her proud!”
O’Dell will become a substitute co-anchor beginning in January and then when Mary Hart ends her 30th season in May, O’Dell will take over.
