Longtime CBS star and talk show host Julie Chen made it official on Tuesday that after nine years of anchoring “The Talk” she was leaving the cast of the daytime show a week after her husband, CBS Corp. boss Leslie Moonves, was ousted from the company due to sexual misconduct allegations.
Chen hadn’t appeared on the show during its season-opening week. She wasn’t on the set Tuesday, either, making her announcement via a taped message from the set of “Big Brother,” the prime-time CBS show that she also hosts.
Holding back tears as she said goodbye to the cast of “The Talk,” and their fans, Chen explained that she needed to spend more time at home with her family.
Farewell ❤️❤️ pic.twitter.com/1eOCpelor1
— Julie Chen Moonves (@JCMoonves) September 18, 2018
She made no mention of the case involving Moonves.
“Right now, I need to spend more time at home with my husband and my son,” she said.
She’s been with the show since its inception nine years ago, along with co-hosts Sara Gilbert and Sharon Osbourne. Chen called the trio “The Three Musketeers” in her goodbye message, which aired at the conculsion of Tuesday’s episode.
Chen fought back tears when thanking crew members, but quickly gathered her composure.
She made no mention of the case involving Moonves. On one episode of “Big Brother” last week, she pointedly signed off as “Julie Chen Moonves,” when she usually doesn’t use her married name professionally.
“I know this show and the sisterhood it stands for will continue on for many, many more years to come,” she said.
She appeared to endorse “Dancing With the Stars” judge Carrie Ann Inaba as a successor. Inaba was filling in for Chen behind the show’s desk on Tuesday. Chen was effectively the moderator of “The Talk,” steering the show’s conversation.
Many fans of “Big Brother” are nervous that Chen will soon be exiting her hosting gig at that show as well. But sources say that she will be staying on as the host.
TMZ reports,”CBS put NO pressure on her to leave,” adding that “she will finish the current season and the plan is for her to return, with one big IF. The IF is bringing the show back for another season. The ratings are still good and the all-important demos are strong, so renewal is all but certain.”
“The Talk” began strongly against “The View,” the ABC show it is clearly modeled after, and even eclipsed its rival in the ratings four years ago. Since then, “The View” righted itself and has taken over first place.
The Associated Press contributed to this article.