Mary Hart Puts Her "ET" Mic Down For Good

LOS ANGELES (CBS4) -- Friday night marks the final edition of "Entertainment Tonight" ("ET") with Mary Hart as host, ending a record-breaking 29-year run.

On the final "Entertainment Tonight" featuring Hart, she'll be joined by her former co-hosts, Bob Goen, Rob Weller, Mark Steines and John Tesh.

Hart's image has become as iconic as the theme song of her signature show. She made her first appearance as host of the weekend edition of "Entertainment Tonight" in 1982.

Her co-host at the time, Steve Edwards, said, "Now it is my pleasure to introduce you to Mary Hart, who joins me as the co-host of 'Entertainment This Week.' And welcome!"

Hart said, "And boy, is it good to be here with you, Steve. And with you (the audience)."

Over the past 29 years, Hart has interviewed everyone from a future President of the United States, Barack Obama, to the King of Pop to the Chairman of the Board.

In a session with Frank Sinatra, Hart asked, "Are you mellowing? Has your attitude changed?"

Sinatra replied, "My attitude has never changed. I treat people as I find them. And how they treat me."

When interviewing George Burns, Hart asked, "Did you ever dream that you would be pushing 93 and still be doing it?"

Burns answered, "I'm not interested in anything I did yesterday anyway."

Cher also sat down with Hart.

Hart had the gumption to ask the star if she ever thinks about age.

Cher said, "Yeah. What I usually think is that I'm doing pretty good."

The television landscape has changed enormously since Hart's "ET" debut 29 years ago. On her first show, Hart highlighted the day's stories, including a meeting with Jeanie Francis and Scott Baio.

Topping the ratings in '82 were "Dallas," "Three's Company," and some youngsters on a show called "60 Minutes."

"Entertainment Tonight" turned into a ratings powerhouse, spawning the likes of "Access Hollywood," "Extra," "E! News" and "Showbiz Tonight." And now, everyone can get instant Hollywood news from websites like "Perez Hilton" and "TMZ." But with Mary at the helm, "ET" remained an entertainment news force to be reckoned with.

When speaking of her career in TV entertainment news, she said, "The very first time somebody put a microphone in front of my face, I knew I wanted to be on the other end of the microphone. And here I am now, doing what I love to do."

To see the big reunion and good-bye, watch ET on CBS4 at 7:00 p.m.

Nancy O'Dell will take Hart's place on the show.