Staff members of “Access Hollywood” received the shocking news of their show’s cancellation in an emotional wake-up call, leaving even the top producers surprised by the decision.
After learning about the cancellation, employees had to maintain a professional demeanor as they prepared for work ahead of the Academy Awards, with uncertainty lingering about their severance packages, according to sources close to the situation.
“It’s quite embarrassing to face Oscar weekend like this,” a source remarked, noting that team members are still expected to log long hours during Hollywood’s grandest event.
NBCUniversal announced on Friday that they would discontinue “Access Hollywood” and its sister show “Access Live” after nearly three decades, pushing staff to go live just hours after the devastating news.
The end of “Access,” alongside “Karamo” and “The Steve Wilkos Show,” is part of a broader strategy by the media conglomerate to pull out of first-run syndicated television programming.
Some staff have speculated that this abrupt decision might be linked to Kelly Clarkson’s exit from the talk show at the end of the current season, although employees remain puzzled about the reasoning.
One person questioned, “Our ratings surpass ‘Extra,’ so why are we facing this fate?”
While “Access Hollywood” and “Access Live” will continue their filming schedule over the summer, they will eventually go off the air for good.
The show, currently hosted by Mario Lopez, Kit Hoover, Scott Evans, and Zuri Hall, first premiered in September 1996. Longtime figures associated with the show include Nancy O’Dell, Maria Menounos, Jeff Probst, Pat O’Brien, and Billy Bush.
