They held her recorded announcement until the last few minutes of the show.
But then it happened.
Julie Chen, co-host and moderator of The Talk, said goodbye.
“I have been at The Talk since the day it started nine years ago,” said Chen, standing on the set of her other CBS show Big Brother. “The cast, crew and staff have become like family to me over the years. But right now I need to spend more time at home, with my husband and my son. So I’ve decided to leave The Talk.”
Chen’s support of her husband, Les Moonves, who is leaving his CEO job facing a dozen sexual assault accusations, was sinking the credibility of show. It is not clear whether it was Chen’s decision to resign, or whether the network asked her to.
“I want to thank everyone on the show for the wonderful years together,” said Chen. “I will always cherish the memories we share.”
Then, with her voice cracking, she thanked the crew and said that she would “miss them very much.”
“I know this show, and the sisterhood it stands for, will live on for many, many, many more years to come. You ladies got this, and I’m very proud to call you my friends. I love you.”
In this age of the #MeToo movement, it would have been impossible for Chen to continue on the show, putting her co-hosts and staff in the awkward position of defending her while she stood by her man.
Chen has had a long run at CBS, built for her in large part by Moonves.
Speculation now is that she will leave the network altogether following the season finale of Big Brother on September 26.