After 3 years in the wild, Billy Bush finally lands a new job as the host of 'Extra Extra'
Close to three years after his world fell apart following the Donald Trump tape scandal, radio and television host Billy Bush will be making a comeback to television screens with a new show.
Bush was fired from his role as a host in the third hour of NBC's 'The Today Show', one month before the presidential elections in November 2016 after a 2005 'Access Hollywood' recording surfaced of him and Republican candidate Donald Trump having a lewd conversation.
In the tape, Trump is either unaware or unconcerned that his microphone was active as he brags to Bush about his failed efforts in seducing Bush's married co-host, Nancy O'Dell. Bush can first be heard laughing, and then later, joining in by commenting on actress Arianne Zucker's appearance, calling her "hot as s****."
In the video, which was made on the NBC Studios lot in the course of videotaping an 'Access Hollywood' episode in mid-September 2005, also saw Trump infamously brag about groping women. "... you just kiss", he can be heard saying. "...you just kiss... when you're a star they let you do it. You can do anything [Bush: Anything you want]... grab them by the p****."
While it looked like he would initially hold on to his role, growing criticism and backlash online along with calls for his resignation from the show meant his position was untenable. After a brief suspension, NBC decided to pull the trigger and fire him from the show.
He remained on the low since then, with his comeback set to be as a host on 'Extra Extra', an updated version of the current syndicated entertainment show 'Extra' which is hosted by Mario Lopez. According to PageSix, 'Extra Extra' will take in-depth looks at topics ranging from pop culture to politics.
Bush had released an apology at the time of the controversy which resulted in his dismissal from 'Today', saying, "Obviously I'm embarrassed and ashamed. It's no excuse, but this happened eleven years ago. I was younger, less mature, and acted foolishly in playing along. I'm very sorry."
He took a similar tone as he spoke to People about his new role. "We all have to be able to evolve as we grow," he said. "The guy that left the scene in 2016 was already a changed person [since 2005], but I had the opportunity to grow up a little bit. Facing adversity in some way is good. And I feel I’ll be better at my job than I ever was. This is my next step."
Bush also talked about how the dismissal was a low point in his life. "I fell completely apart," he revealed. "I’ve been through resentment and anger and being inconsolable. But then I realized I had an opportunity to put one foot in front of the other and get going."