It is a weird thing, honestly, when you realize that Mario Lopez has been on our TV screens since the 1980s. Most people still immediately jump to the image of him in a wrestling singlet or those high-waisted acid-wash jeans from Saved by the Bell. But if you’ve flicked on the TV in the last seven years during that post-work dinner hour, you know him as the face of a different beast entirely. Mario Lopez Access Hollywood isn’t just a career pivot; it’s a full-blown takeover.
While some actors struggle to shed their teen-idol skin, Lopez didn't just shed it—illegally buffed and bronzed it into a massive hosting empire. In 2019, he made what was arguably the biggest "trade" in entertainment news history, jumping ship from the rival show Extra to join the NBCUniversal family. People were actually shocked. It was like a star quarterback moving to the rival team mid-season.
The Big Move: Why He Left Extra for Access Hollywood
Look, it’s no secret that the world of entertainment news is cutthroat. You’ve got ET, Extra, and Access all fighting for the same thirty seconds of a movie star's time on a red carpet. For over a decade, Mario was the face of Extra. He was the guy. Then, seemingly out of nowhere, he signed a massive multi-year development deal with NBCUniversal.
The math was pretty simple:
- A reported salary bump to somewhere around $8 million to $10 million a year.
- A chance to not just host Access Hollywood, but also its daytime sister show, Access Daily.
- Producing deals that allow him to make those cheesy (but let’s be real, very watchable) Christmas movies he loves.
Basically, he didn’t just join a show; he bought into a lifestyle. By the time he officially started on September 9, 2019, the transition felt seamless. He stepped onto that stage with Kit Hoover and Scott Evans like he’d been there since the pilot aired in the mid-90s.
✨ Don't miss: Death Wish II: Why This Sleazy Sequel Still Triggers People Today
Mario Lopez Access Hollywood: The Daily Grind
If you think hosting a show like this is just reading a teleprompter and smiling, you’re kinda wrong. The schedule is brutal. Mario is often up before the sun, hitting the gym—because let’s be honest, those dimples don’t maintain themselves—and then heading into a whirlwind of production.
He’s currently anchoring three different iterations of the brand:
- Access Hollywood: The flagship evening news show.
- Access Daily with Mario & Kit: The hour-long lifestyle and talk show format.
- All Access: The 30-minute true-crime and human interest spin-off.
The chemistry between Mario and Kit Hoover is actually what keeps the ship afloat. They have this "siblings who actually like each other" vibe that feels way more authentic than the usual plastic smiles you see on syndicated TV. They riff, they make fun of each other’s outfits, and they manage to make celebrity gossip feel like a conversation you’re having at a backyard BBQ.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Job
There’s this misconception that entertainment journalists are just "shills" for the studios. But watching Mario Lopez on Access Hollywood reveals a certain level of veteran craft. Because he was a child actor, he has this shorthand with the people he interviews. When he talks to Mark Wahlberg or Eva Longoria, it doesn't feel like a reporter and a subject; it feels like two people who survived the same industry for thirty years.
🔗 Read more: Dark Reign Fantastic Four: Why This Weirdly Political Comic Still Holds Up
He’s also leaned heavily into the "dad" brand. In 2026, we’re seeing a version of Mario that is less about the nightlife and more about his kids’ jiu-jitsu tournaments. This pivot has made him incredibly relatable to the daytime audience. He isn't just the guy from Bayside High anymore; he’s the guy who forgot to pack his kid's lunch but still has to go interview a Kardashian.
The Great American Media Deal and the Future
Interestingly, Mario recently signed a massive deal with Great American Media. This raised some eyebrows. People wondered if he was leaving Access Hollywood behind. Fortunately for fans of the dimples, the deal is mostly for scripted content—think more of those holiday movies with his wife, Courtney Lopez. He’s staying put on the Access anchor desk for the foreseeable future.
Actually, his presence has helped the show maintain its ratings at a time when traditional TV is bleeding viewers to TikTok. He’s managed to bridge the gap between "old Hollywood" and the digital age, often sharing behind-the-scenes clips of the set that get more engagement than the actual segments.
Why It Still Works
Most hosting tenures in this business last about three to five years before someone gets "refreshed" out of a contract. Mario has defied that. He’s survived the transition from Extra to Access, the pandemic-era filming from home, and the constant shift in how we consume news.
💡 You might also like: Cuatro estaciones en la Habana: Why this Noir Masterpiece is Still the Best Way to See Cuba
The reality is that Mario Lopez Access Hollywood is a match made in syndication heaven. He brings the celebrity clout, the professional polish, and a weirdly high energy level that never seems to flag, even when he's covering the most mundane pop culture updates.
How to Keep Up With Mario and the Access Team
If you’re looking to get the most out of your celebrity news fix, don't just wait for the evening broadcast. The landscape has changed, and the show is everywhere now.
- Check local listings: Access Hollywood usually airs in the 7:00 PM or 7:30 PM slot, but it varies wildly by market (NBC in NYC vs. Fox in some smaller towns).
- YouTube is your friend: The Access YouTube channel uploads the "Access Daily" segments almost immediately. It’s the best way to see the long-form interviews without the commercial fluff.
- Follow the "On With Mario" radio show: If you can’t get enough of his voice, his iHeartRadio show often features extended cuts of the interviews he does on the TV set.
- Watch for the cameos: Mario is notorious for appearing in the projects he produces. If you're watching a Great American Family movie this winter, expect a "meta" moment where he's probably playing a version of himself or a very similar TV host.
The best way to engage with the brand today is to look for the "unfiltered" segments on social media. That’s where you see the real dynamic between Mario, Kit, and Zuri Hall—usually involving some sort of catering-table drama or a failed attempt at a viral dance trend. It’s not "hard news," but in 2026, it’s exactly the kind of distraction most people are looking for.