What are Nancy’s initials? NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!! It won’t be the same without the poor man’s Olivia Newton John behind the Access Hollywood desk! Alas, the hottest apostrophed celebrity journalist on television (sorry Soledad O’Brien) will host her last episode of AH this week, according to People Magazine. Here is the statement issued by O’Dells rep:
The original member of the Access Hollywood family, co-anchor and respected broadcast journalist Nancy O’Dell, has chosen to leave the show after 13 years. O’Dell appreciates NBC’s cooperation as she begins this next chapter in her career. Even though she will be leaving for a new opportunity, this decision is based totally on Nancy’s desire to take her career to the next level and is completely amicable. She will continue on with projects as a broadcast entertainment journalist.
The news comes as a surprise because Nancy still has two years remaining on her current contract. A source tells People that Nancy wasn’t happy with the sensationalist direction the show had been taking in recent weeks, and that she was worried about the “nice and classy” reputation she has worked so hard to build. Access Hollywood is becoming sensationalist?!? I think it’s about time I resurrect Duh! Magazine.
Aside from returning for her annual gig hosting the New Years Day Tournament of Roses Parade, the future is unclear for O’Dell. My guess is that she will challenge Soledad O’Brien for legitimate apostrophe journalist supremacy by filming the hard-hitting two-part documentary Blond with A Smokin’ Hot Body In America. That, or she’ll host a reality competition show for aspiring hosts on Lifetime. Either way she won’t have to worry too much since she’s married to wealthy business dude Keith Zubchevich. (Good call on keeping that beautifully puncuated last name girl! “Nancy Zubchevich” sounds like an overweight militaristic Russian gymnast instructor, but not in a good way.)
Here’s one more photo of the lovely Nancy O’Dell. It really shows off Nancy’s slender frame – so much so that if you take tour time scrolling down you might not be done before Nancy’s last show!
So long Nancy! (Get it?) The devoted Access Hollywood fans will miss you. I know because they both said so in a joint statement earlier this evening.
