With Julie Chen now devoting all of her TV time to Big Brother, The Talk has added a new permanent co-host.
The CBS’ daytime panel program announced live today that Carrie Ann Inaba has joined as a new host of the The Talk. Inaba made her official debut today, joining Eve, Sara Gilbert, Sharon Osbourne and Sheryl Underwood at the table. Throughout the past two seasons, Inaba has appeared as a recurring guest co-host on the show.
“Everyone’s Talking about it, and I’m excited to confirm it. We’re welcoming Carrie Ann Inaba to The Talk table,” Angelica McDaniel, evp of daytime programs, CBS Entertainment, said in a statement. “Carrie Ann connects with audiences by being genuine. We appreciate her warmth, heart and vulnerability, and love what she brings to the show.”
Inaba added: “Having the opportunity to sit at the table with Eve, Sara, Sharon and Sheryl has been such an enriching experience, and I’m honored and looking forward to joining them daily. It’s the authentic conversations and connection with the audience and the ladies that really drew me to The Talk. I feel very fortunate to be a part of this show.”
Inaba is probably best known to the masses for her role as judge on Dancing with the Stars, a role she has held for all 27 seasons, since the show’s debut in 2005. Inaba had also been a recurring guest co-host on Live with Kelly and Ryan, filling in more than any other talent, with almost 30 appearances to date.
Inaba is replacing Julie Chen, who said goodbye to The Talk back in September, a week after her husband, former CBS CEO Les Moonves left CBS Corp.
Twelve women accused Moonves of sexual harassment and intimidation in a pair of New Yorker stories published in July and September 2018.