NEWSIs Nancy O'Dell Leaving 'Access Hollywood' Because of Billy Bush?
Dec. 21 2009, Published 4:02 a.m. ET
Rumors have whirled about the real reason behind Nancy O'Dell's departure from Access Hollywood after 13 years, when she announced her move last week. Now the New York Daily News claims Billy Bush's behavior made the TV veteran's decision a lot easier.
A source says Nancy was sick and tired of Billy's prima donna antics.
"The atmosphere at ‘Access Hollywood' is like walking on a landmine because of Billy," the insider says.
"He throws tantrums and tirades and oftentimes for no apparent reason. It was one of several things that had Nancy at her wit's end after 13 years," alleges the source.
The source says Nancy complained several times to executive producer Rob Silverstein about Billy's behavior, but to no avail.
"Nancy was still subjected to Billy's outbursts and blow-ups on set, just like everyone else was," claims the insider.
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"Billy would go so far as to curse out producers for not writing the copy in a way he liked it, and would really go off if they assigned him to read a story that he felt was beneath him."
Working with Billy for five years (he started his hosting gig in 2004) was enough for Nancy, who shocked co-workers with her announcement on Dec. 17.
"People gasped at the news and many began to cry," the insider says of last Thursday's staff meeting, when the producers announced that Nancy would be leaving.
A rep for Nancy tells the New York Daily News, "Nancy's decision was based solely on her desire to take her career to the next level and is completely amicable."
However reps for Billy and Silverstein didn't return calls for comment by the newspaper's deadline.
