JULIE CHEN announced her departure from "The Talk" yesterday. She didn't actually appear on the show . . . she gave a statement in a pre-taped video that played at the end.
She said, quote, "Right now I need to spend more time at home, with my husband and our young son, so I've decided to leave 'The Talk' . . . I will always, always cherish the memories we shared."
She thanked each of her co-hosts, especially SHARON OSBOURNE and SARA GILBERT, who were with her since the show started nine years ago.
Then she said, quote, "I love you all, and 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 cannot be more proud to call you my friends. I love you."
Julie's departure was kind of a foregone conclusion after her husband, LES MOONVES, was pushed out as the head of CBS over multiple allegations of sexual misconduct.