Marissa Jaret Winokur Leaves 'The Talk'

By Christine Fenno Posted Jan 15th 2011 09:41AM

Last fall, Marissa Jaret Winokur made the rounds promoting CBS' new morning chatfest, 'The Talk,' along with the panel's other stars: Julie Chen, Sharon Osborurne, Leah Remini, Holly Robinson Peete and Sara Gilbert.

The series was repeatedly described in the press as a knock-off of ABC's 'The View,' and the creators surely hoped Winokur's 'Mom in the Street' interviews would help set it apart.

Now, months after the show's October premiere, the actress is walking away.

"I will not be returning to 'The Talk' this year," Winokur tells People.com, confirming that she prefers to focus on her new clothing line and developing her own cable series.

An executive producer on 'The Talk' says that Winokur's departure is "a mutual decision, based on time, not talent."

The 37-year-old New York native was brought on board to contribute twice-a-week 'Mom in the Street' segments, taking the show out of the studio setting. "But as the show evolved," Winokur says, "there really wasn't room for my segments."

Busy raising a 2-year-old son, the Broadway veteran (who won a 2003 Tony award for 'Hairspray') acknowledges that she's also dealing with a sudden death in the family over the holidays. "I'm still grieving over the loss of my father....I loved my father so much. He was my inspiration....He was the one who told me I could be anything I wanted to be when I was growing up."

Brad Bessey, exec producer on 'The Talk,' said in a statement: "We think the world of Marissa as a creative talent, on-air personality and super mom....The show is trending toward more time with panel conversations and interviews, creating fewer opportunities for the mom-on-the-street segments. We are grateful beyond words to Marissa for her hard work, unrivaled energy and enthusiasm; and the integral role she played in the successful launch of The Talk. We wish her the very best."

Here's a clip of Winokur, before her departure from the series, interviewing men about being Stay-at-Home Dads:

Tags: julie chen, Marissa Jaret Winokur, sharon osbourne, the talk, the view

Comments

(57)

Saturday 15 January

By Harmonie

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The reason being: No enough sweets in the green room!
what a rollie pollie LOSER

By me

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mutual my butt..she was dumped!
put her on the panel & fire Sara.

By nov2rememberout

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Jerk

Monday 17 January

By zlngling

Here's a clip of Winokur, before her departure from the series, interviewing men about being Stay-at-Home Dads:I love reading this , So does My boyfriend .he is almost 11year older than me .i met him via age'lessmate.c'om a nice place for seeking age le ss love.which gives you a chance to make your life better and open opportunities for you to meet the attractive young girls and treat you like a king. Maybe you wanna check it out or tell your friends..

By fiona

She has more talent and personality than you could ever dream of having. If you were only half as cute you may have had a shot at prom queen. But, alas, not a single vote.

By loo

She was annoying and phony. Always smiling for no reason, if she had to change a diaper she would smile. She's nutso!!!

By New York

She is a happy person. Don't see much of that anymore. Too bad people view being happy as being nuts instead of being normal. She was a refreshing part of the show. The rest of them are blah. I am so sorry to hear of your loss. My sincere sympathy to you & your family. Good Luck Marissa. Enjoy your son & stay happy.

By nitin

she was in the news w/ her family for fist fighting w/ another family over a seat @ the airport?
too bad she didn't interview this single dad.
tip #1: lock them in a closet until their old enough to move out.

Sunday 16 January

By Mike

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Nitin, that was Nikki Blonsky, who played Tracy Turnblad in the movie version of the Broadway musical.

By karen

Marissa so sorry for your loss. Better you should spend time with your little one than to find yourself unappreciated. The Talk is unimpressive anyway as far as I'm concerned, nothing new or fresh there. Take time for your family, your little ones young years once gone are gone. See the blessing here. Best wishes for a Happy New Year!

By Shee

Why does it have to be about her and FOOD? Why couldn't she realize that it wasn't a good fit for her? It wasn't--she was lost among everyone else. Getting lost with Julie Chen in the room is not good.

By sheila sperling

no chemistry between hosts

By stu

i heard the autopsy showed The Talk for reason of fathers death.

You are the loser.

Stu what a cruel thing to say. You must be a miserable, nasty, mean person with no friends. It must suck to be you or to be anywhere near you.

Really??? It is Julie Chen I can't stand. She seems so unapproachable & smug. She really doesn't belong with this group of women or anywhere for that matter. No personality whatsoever.

By hi

julie husband runs CBS & sara created the show. so these 2 darrrlings aren't going anywhere. :=

By Ted Bundy

Time to get a life.

By art

well, we know who to rip. T. P. & S. P

nirin wrong, it was not her that had the fight in the airport, it was another actress who did Hairspray with Zack Efron. Nikki Blonsky.

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