It’s the end of an era — Mary Hart is saying goodbye to Entertainment Tonight after nearly 30 years.

Mary Hart is now 60 and will bid farewell to her long-lived post at ET come summer 2011. She will be replaced by Nancy O’Dell, who has co-anchored Access Hollywood for nearly 13 years.

Since Nancy is no newbie, Mary is confident of her ability to do a good job:

“Leaving this job was not an easy decision, but knowing I will pass the baton to Nancy O’Dell makes that decision much easier,”

“Nancy is a talented and respected entertainment correspondent. We have spent many years working on opposite sides of the celebrity battlefield and I know the show will flourish with Nancy as co-anchor.”

Nancy shared her excitement to take post at ET, a job she has dreamed of since she was little:

“I remember watchingEntertainment Tonight when it first premiered and dreaming about working for the show someday,”

“I am honored to be the one chosen to fill a TV legend’s seat and I hope I can do her proud!”

Nancy O’Dell will join Entertainment Tonight as a correspondent as soon as January, and will take her position as co-host alongside Mark Steines after Mary Hart finishes out her final season.

Congrats to Nancy on her new position — though those are some big shoes to fill. Mary Hart is a legend. Good luck!

[image: Nikki Nelson/WENN]