Sara Gilbert has announced that she is leaving The Talk. The series’ creator and original host made the surprising announcement during the April 9 episode. Sharing her decision, Gilbert also revealed the reasons why she has decided to depart the show. Gilbert told the audience:
This is hard to do... This is something that I have been struggling with for a while, and going back and forth, but I’ve decided that it’s time for me to leave the show at the end of this season. I obviously love it here, and like I said, this was extremely difficult. Last season, I did The Conners as you know and was also producing, and here. And I loved it and felt totally empowered, but also, if I’m being honest about it, I think my life was slightly out of balance, and I wasn’t able to spend as much time with my three kids as I’d like, or time for myself.
In explaining her reasons for leaving the CBS chatfest, Gilbert revealed the toll her busy schedule has taken on her family. Along with producing and hosting The Talk, she also executive produced and starred in The Conners. The ABC sitcom has been renewed for a second season, meaning Sara Gilbert’s career and schedule will only continue to heat up.
Ahead of Season 2 getting underway, it sounds like Sara Gilbert realized something had to give. Explaining why she will be leaving, Gilbert continued, saying:
And as I’ve continued on, I’m starting to develop more things to produce, and I’m having opportunities to act. And I'm just feeling like, I don’t know how I’m going to do it all. I was looking at the next six months and just thinking, ‘There’s not time,’ you know, and I'll look at it even just small things in my life. My youngest is four years old and I still haven't made his baby book. You know, you sit, and you think 'oh my god' again. And my daughter's looking at hers last night and I was like 'ahh' -- he's going to figure it out soon.' So, just basic life things.But it’s difficult because this is a place that I love and a place that I’m extremely happy. I love the hosts. I love the crew. I love our staff. I’m so grateful to the audience for letting me in your homes every day. It’s been such an honor. I'm not going anywhere yet. I will be here the rest of the season. I will come back. I will guest co-host. You're not going to get rid of me, so I'll be around. Thank you so much.
It is important to note that Sara Gilbert will not be leaving right away. The Talk star will exit at the end of the current season. Hence, there is still some time left to enjoy her presence on the show.
Clearly, there is no ill will or behind-the-scenes dramal just a change brought on by a busy schedule. It is not only her schedule with The Conners that is pulling Sara Gilbert away. She also stated that she wants to pursue producing more projects, and acting roles.
Sara Gilbert’s last air date on The Talk was not announced, so stay tuned. Upon Gilbert’s departure, Sharon Osbourne will be the only original host (Season 1 onward) left on The Talk’s panel. Following Sara Gilbert’s departure, Sheryl Underwood will be the host with the second-longest tenure. Underwood joined the show in Season 2 and has been a part of it consistently, ever since.
Last season, the series lost another original host when Julie Chen exited. In December 2018, Dancing with the Stars judge Carrie Ann Inaba was officially named as her replacement. After The Talk lost Julie Chen, former co-host Eve opened up about how her exit changed the show.
Time will tell how Sara Gilbert’s exit alters things. A search for Gilbert’s replacement will probably get underway before long. As evidenced by the show’s Twitter page, Gilbert will be missed.
Sara Gilbert has had an incredible run on The Talk. When her time on the show ends, she will have hosted it for nearly a decade. Hopefully she will come back to celebrate the show’s 10th anniversary when it arrives next year.
You can watch Sara Gilbert announce her departure from The Talk via the video below:
Continue to watch the rest of Sara Gilbert’s run on The Talk when new episodes air weekdays at 2 p.m. ET on CBS.
