It’s official — when syndicated entertainment news series returns for a 32nd season next fall, it will have a new host. Billy Bush just announced on his “Hot Mics” podcast that he indeed will be departing the half-hour newsmagazine after five seasons. He will stay on as host throughout the remainder of the current 31st season.
“After an amazing 5 years hosting Extra, I’m moving on to continue building out my Hot Mics digital platform, Bush told his listeners Monday.
“We have experienced unprecedented growth in a short period of time here on this show and I find myself hungrier and more stimulated than at any point in my professional career. Extra is culturally iconic. If I had a dollar for every time someone hollered “Extra Extra” to me in the airport or something, I’d buy Warner Bros,” he continued.
“It’s been a tremendous honor and privilege to front this show. We were there for each other at this pivotal time in 2019, I’m proud of it. It’s now time to build something of my own. I’m forever grateful to the amazing staff at Extra and the executives at Warner Bros. for this awesome chapter of my life. I mean every word of that. I have had a tremendous run,” he concluded.
With Bush making his final decision, search will be launched for his successor. The half-hour program from Telepictures Productions was recently renewed by the Fox Televisions Stations, which has been the daily newsmagazine’s anchor station group for the past six seasons.
“We are so grateful to Billy for five standout seasons with Extra. His dedication, experience and sharp reporting are just a few of the meaningful contributions he made on the show and with audiences alike,” said Lauren Blincoe, SVP Current Programming of Telepictures). “We thank him for the role he has played in shaping this chapter of Extra and we wish him continued success in what’s ahead.”
Helmed by veteran executive producers Theresa Coffino and Jeremy Spiegel, Extra is produced by Telepictures Productions in association with Warner Bros. Unscripted Television, and is distributed by Warner Bros. Domestic Television Distribution.
“Billy is the consummate broadcaster, a brilliant interviewer and a force of nature,” Coffino said. “We are grateful for his contributions to Extra, we will miss him and we look forward to seeing his next chapter.”
Bush, who has been host of Extra since 2019, has been nominated for a Daytime Emmy during each of his seasons on the show. He was the first in the entertainment newsmagazine genre to report on the ground from London following the passing of Queen Elizabeth II. More recently, he was in the field covering the devastating L.A. fires daily.
