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[Rydell]

Looks like "Access Hollywood" has parted ways with Pat O'Brien and made Billy Bush the new co-anchor with Nancy O'Dell.

Here's the press release from "Access Hollywood":

NANCY O’DELL AND BILLY BUSH SET AS NEW CO-ANCHORS OF 'ACCESS HOLLYWOOD'

June 16, 2004

O’Dell Renews Contract To Remain As Co-Anchor Into Newsmagazine’s Second Decade

Bush to Move From New York to Los Angeles for New Post

Nancy O'Dell and Billy Bush have been named the new co-anchors of "Access Hollywood," it was announced today by Barry Wallach, President, NBC Universal Domestic Television Distribution and Rob Silverstein, Executive Producer, "Access Hollywood."

"Nancy O'Dell and Billy Bush are the perfect team to take 'Access Hollywood' into our second decade," says Silverstein. "Nancy has proven over the past eight years to be the preeminent entertainment news journalist and the best celebrity interviewer in the business, while Billy in just two short years, has been a game changer. The teaming of Nancy and Billy is the perfect fit for 'Access Hollywood,' as we continue to add stations and watch the ratings grow."

Silverstein added, "We'd like to thank Pat O'Brien for his seven years on the show. Without him, we wouldn't have reached the place we are today."

O'Dell, who was on the original team that launched "Access Hollywood" eight years ago, has extended her contract into the show's second decade to remain as co-anchor of the hit entertainment newsmagazine. Bush, who most recently served as the show's East Coast Correspondent, will re-locate from New York to Los Angeles for his newly appointed position. Shaun Robinson and Tony Potts will continue to serve as weekend co-anchors and correspondents for "Access Hollywood."

"Nancy and Billy represent the future of 'Access Hollywood' and we are very excited to have them at the helm of our franchise magazine series," says Wallach. "Nancy has proven her talent over the last eight years and Billy has become an important part of the show over the course of the last few seasons. Having just completed our highest May sweep ever and with all-time record access time period clearances, 'Access Hollywood' is in a great position as it heads into its ninth season."

O'Dell, who was named one of Electronic Media's 10 Most Bankable Stars in Syndication, was part of "Access Hollywood's" on-air team when the show launched in 1996, serving as weekend co-anchor and weekday correspondent. In January 1999, O'Dell was promoted to co-anchor, and has since earned a reputation as one of Hollywood's leading entertainment journalists. In addition to her on-air duties at "Access Hollywood," O'Dell contributes reports to both NBC News' "Today" show, and "Dateline."

Before joining "Access Hollywood," O'Dell served as co-anchor and investigative reporter for NBC's Miami station, WTVJ-TV. Prior to that she worked as a morning news anchor and crime reporter at WCBD-TV in Charleston, S.C. O'Dell began her broadcast career as a reporter and anchor at WPDE-TV in Myrtle Beach, S.C.

A native of South Carolina, she was inducted into that state's Hall of Fame in 1998 as the youngest member ever in recognition of her journalistic success. O'Dell is a summa cum laude honors graduate of Clemson University.

Bush joined "Access Hollywood" as its East Coast Correspondent in December 2001, and has quickly gained notoriety among the Hollywood elite for his engaging, witty and spontaneous reporting style. In addition to his on-air duties at "Access Hollywood," Bush also contributes reports to NBC News "Today" show.

Before joining "Access Hollywood," Bush was a correspondent for WNBC-TV's "Today in New York," morning show. Prior to making the move to television, Bush served as host of WWZZ-FM's "Billy Bush and the Bush League Morning Show" in Washington, D.C. He began his broadcast career hosting the afternoon drive show on WLKZ-FM in New Hampshire.

Bush earned a bachelor's degree in International Studies and Government at Colby College in Maine, where he was a two-time captain of the men's lacrosse team. He will soon reside in Los Angeles with his wife, Sydney and their two daughters.

"Access Hollywood" is produced by NBC and distributed by NBC Universal Domestic Television Distribution. Rob K. Silverstein is the executive producer.

This post has been edited by Rydell: Jun 26, 2004 @ 4:55 pm.

[Natchou]

I'm sorry to ask this, but is it just me or is Billy Bush in love with Heidi Klum or something?!? I mean, everytime he does an interview with her, he looks like he just wants to jump on her and, you know...

[Rydell]

Billy Bush always acts like a drooling, horny idiot when he's around supermodels. His wife must be a good sport about it.

[Annlindgk]

Apparently Pat O'Brien is leaving to host the ET spinoff The Insider. Just what we need--another famewhore magazine show.

[groundhog]

Billy acts like a drooling, horny idiot when he's interviewing anybody. The man is the definition of ass-kisser. And that laugh. HATE!

This post has been edited by groundhog: Jun 17, 2004 @ 2:49 pm.

[Sideshow Al]

Noooo! We don't need to see Billy the Bush Rat getting higher-profile broadcasting gigs! Admittedly, I honestly can't put my finger on why this ninety-eight pound sycophant annoys me so; but he undeniably does!

[Ty]

Looks like Tony Potts got screwed.

[Slashgirl]

[Billy Bush] is the definition of ass-kisser.

Well, you're half right.

[Titus]

One thing that bugs me about AH (other than Bush) is that whenever they do a "black" story, they always haul out Shaun whatshername. Movie premiere for Will/Vin/Denzel? Yup. NAACP Awards? Yup. It's kind of uncomfortable. Nancy, Pat, Tony, and Billy can all suck up and ask dumb questions equally well.

[vellma]

One thing that bugs me about AH (other than Bush) is that whenever they do a "black" story, they always haul out Shaun whatshername. Movie premiere for Will/Vin/Denzel? Yup. NAACP Awards? Yup. It's kind of uncomfortable.

I think I finally figured out why this is: she hosts TVOne Access, the black spinoff of AH. I happened to be flipping through the channels over the weekend and there she was. She has extended interviews of interviews shown on AH., plus stuff that never airs on AH.

[Rydell]

One thing that bugs me about AH (other than Bush) is that whenever they do a "black" story, they always haul out Shaun whatshername.

I noticed that too but maybe she wants to do those stories. And if Access Hollywood had a white reporter covering most of the "black celebrity stories" then there'd be people complaining that a black reporter should be the one to cover those stories. Either way, you can't please everyone.

[luv2surf]

Well, I'm late to the game. I just read re.O'Brien's termination over at TV Guide's Insider as part of the TCA Press Tour for July 19th if anyone wants to take a gander. It basically makes fun of the fact that he travels with a pack of lawyers these days over the issues with AH and NBC.

Apparently, he is still signed on to do the Olympics with NBC which O'Brien says makes him a little uncomfortable seeing as he feels screwed over by the suits there. I must admit I wonder why he was dropped, he seemed to be a fairly popular host, as much as one annoying H-town, ass-kissing 'news'magazine can be anyways. Better than Mary Hart, that's for sure. It's too bad Fallon left SNL, the only thing I liked him doing was O'Brien send-ups and a skit about this dust up would be gold.

[lynettefl]

O'Brien wanted more money from NBC, so he left?

[nerdyduck]

Actually, O'Brien's contract was up and he decided not to renew, if I read correctly.

I really hate Billy Bush. Especially after the pre-Oscars show where he embarrassed Keisha Castle-Hughes so badly. I can't stand him.

[Rydell]

Actually, O'Brien's contract was up and he decided not to renew, if I read correctly.

That's probably right, based on what's happened. A recap of recent events:

1. "Access Hollywood" announces that Pat O'Brien is leaving.

2. News leaks out that Pat O'Brien has been hired as the anchor of "The Insider," a new syndicated newsmagazine that is a spinoff of "Entertainment Tonight." "The Insider" premieres in September.

3. NBC (which owns "Access Hollywood") files a lawsuit saying that Pat O'Brien can't promote "The Insider" until his contract with "Access Hollywood" is officially up.

4. NBC has now dropped the lawsuit/complaint.

Looks to me like NBC/"Access Hollywood" is the jilted party here. If they had fired Pat O'Brien, I doubt they'd be putting up such a big stink because he moved on and got another job.

This post has been edited by Rydell: Jul 23, 2004 @ 12:54 am.