After nearly three decades of delivering celebrity news, red carpet moments, and headline-making interviews, Access Hollywood is officially coming to an end. NBCUniversal has announced it is canceling the long-running entertainment news program as part of a broader shift in its programming strategy.
The show, which first launched in 1996, became a staple in entertainment journalism, offering viewers a daily glimpse into Hollywood’s biggest stars and stories. Over the years, it built a loyal audience and featured a rotating lineup of well-known hosts, including Mario Lopez, Kit Hoover, Scott Evans, and Zuri Hall.
In a statement explaining the decision, NBCUniversal executive Frances Berwick said the move reflects changing viewer habits and station needs. “NBCUniversal is making changes to our first-run syndication division to better align with the programming preferences of local stations,” she said. While the company is stepping away from producing new syndicated shows, Berwick emphasized that NBCUniversal will “remain active in the distribution of our existing program library and other off-network titles.”
She also took a moment to honor the legacy of the show, adding, “These shows have provided audiences with great talk and entertainment content for many years, and we’re very proud of the teams behind them.”
Throughout its run, Access Hollywood featured a notable roster of anchors and correspondents, including Pat O’Brien, Nancy O’Dell, Billy Bush, Jeff Probst, Maria Menounos, and Natalie Morales. The program became known for its mix of celebrity interviews, entertainment headlines, and behind-the-scenes coverage of major Hollywood events.
But beyond the glitz and glamour, the show also found itself at the center of one of the most talked-about political moments in recent history. In 2016, The Washington Post released the now-infamous “‘Access Hollywood’ tape” from 2006, capturing a hot mic conversation between then-presidential candidate Donald Trump and host Billy Bush. On the recording, Trump made controversial remarks about women, saying, “When you’re a star, they let you do it. You can do anything.”
The tape quickly became a major issue during the presidential election, drawing criticism from both political parties and leading to widespread calls for Trump to withdraw from the race. Trump later described the comments as “locker room talk” and issued an apology. Despite the backlash, he went on to win the election. The fallout also impacted the show directly, as Bush was ultimately dismissed from his role on NBC’s Today show.
The cancellation of Access Hollywood comes amid a wave of changes at NBCUniversal. Other syndicated programs, including Karamo and The Steve Wilkos Show, are also being discontinued. Additionally, The Kelly Clarkson Show is set to end later this year, signaling a broader shift in the network’s approach to daytime and syndicated content.
While Access Hollywood may be signing off, its impact on entertainment journalism is undeniable. For nearly 30 years, it captured the moments, milestones, and even controversies that shaped Hollywood—and occasionally, the world beyond it.