Billy Bush is a name that instantly triggers a specific memory for most people. You know the one. That 2005 Access Hollywood tape that leaked in 2016 and basically detonated his career at NBC's Today show in less than 48 hours. It was a mess. But if you think he just vanished into the ether after that, you've missed a pretty wild second act—and an even more interesting third one that’s unfolding right now in 2026.
Honestly, the "what is Billy Bush doing now" question has a much punchier answer than just "hosting another entertainment show." After a five-year run trying to play nice with the network suits at Extra, Billy has officially ditched the teleprompters for something much more raw.
Why Billy Bush Walked Away from Extra
In May 2025, Billy made a move that caught a lot of industry insiders off guard. He announced he was leaving Extra after five seasons. This wasn't a firing—which he’s experienced before, obviously—but a choice. He stayed on through the end of the 31st season, but the 32nd season that kicked off in late 2025? He’s nowhere to be seen on that iconic set.
Why would a guy who fought so hard to get back onto mainstream TV just walk away?
Basically, he felt stifled. During an appearance on Bill Maher’s Club Random podcast in late 2025, Billy didn't hold back. He talked about how "you can't say anything anymore" in syndicated television. He felt like he was walking on eggshells, constantly worried about the next "cancel culture" wave. For a guy whose brand was built on being a high-energy, slightly irreverent interviewer, the corporate guardrails of Warner Bros. were starting to feel like a cage.
The Hot Mics Digital Era
Right now, Billy is betting everything on his own digital platform called Hot Mics with Billy Bush.
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It started as a podcast, but it’s grown into a full-blown digital media brand. He’s taking the "hot mic" concept—the very thing that nearly ended him—and turning it into his primary vehicle. It’s a bit ironic, isn't it?
Instead of 3-minute clips edited for a 7:00 PM time slot, he’s doing long-form, unfiltered interviews. He’s leaning into the "un-cancelable" niche. You’ll see him talking to actors who feel "blacklisted," athletes who have stepped in it, and fellow broadcasters who are tired of the traditional network grind.
He claims the growth of the platform has been "unprecedented." Whether that’s just standard Hollywood hyperbole or fact, he seems genuinely "hungrier and more stimulated," as he put it on his show. He’s finally building something he owns, rather than being a replaceable face for a studio.
A Career Defined by Two Tapes
To understand what Billy Bush is doing now, you have to look at the baggage he's still carrying. It’s not just the Trump tape anymore. In 2025, a lot of the conversation around him shifted back to the 2016 fallout. He’s been more vocal lately about his belief that NBC "weaponized" that tape against him.
He’s claimed in recent interviews that he actually reported the 2005 exchange to his bosses at Access Hollywood long before it was leaked. The narrative he's pushing now is that the network buried it to protect their "cash cow" and then threw him under the bus when it became politically convenient.
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It’s a perspective that resonates with a certain segment of the audience that is weary of corporate media. This "insider-turned-outsider" energy is exactly what's fueling the success of his new digital ventures.
The Timeline of the "Comeback"
- 2016: Fired from Today after the Trump tape leak.
- 2016-2019: The "wilderness years." He spent time in Malibu, went on spiritual retreats, and even did the "walking on hot coals" thing with Tony Robbins.
- 2019: Returns as the host of Extra, replacing Mario Lopez.
- 2019-2025: Five stable years, multiple Emmy nominations, and a return to the red carpet.
- May 2025: Announces exit from Extra to focus on his own brand.
- 2026: Fully independent, focusing on Hot Mics and expanded digital content.
What Most People Get Wrong About Him
A lot of people think Billy Bush is just a "nephew of a President" who got lucky. Yes, being a member of the Bush family (nephew of George H.W., cousin of George W.) definitely opened doors early on. But you don't survive a decade in the shark tank of LA entertainment news on name alone.
People who work with him often describe him as a "force of nature" in interviews. Even his former producers at Extra, Theresa Coffino and Jeremy Spiegel, called him a "consummate broadcaster" when he left. He has a specific skill: he makes celebrities feel like they’re just chatting at a bar, which is how he gets them to say things they probably shouldn't.
Now, he’s just doing that without a PR person from the network hovering over his shoulder.
The Personal Shift: From Malibu to Digital Mogul
Personally, Billy seems to be in a much different headspace than he was during the "shame" period of 2017. He’s been open about how close he came to a total mental breakdown after the NBC firing. He’s mentioned how he had to stop himself from "jumping off the building" figuratively speaking.
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Today, he’s living in Malibu and seems to have embraced the "patience and empathy" he says he gained during his three-year hiatus. He’s 54 now. He isn't the 30-something guy in the frat-boy suit anymore. He’s leaning into the role of the seasoned vet who has seen the darkest side of the industry and lived to tell the tale.
Is He Actually Successful Now?
"Success" is a relative term in 2026. If you measure it by "being on the TV in the doctor's office waiting room," then he’s less successful than he was two years ago. But if you measure it by ownership, reach, and authenticity, he’s arguably in a better spot.
His Hot Mics digital platform is tapping into the same trend that’s seen people like Joe Rogan or Tucker Carlson find massive audiences outside of traditional structures. He’s no longer waiting for a network executive to give him the green light. He just hits "record."
The syndication world is shrinking anyway. Shows like Extra and Access Hollywood are fighting for scraps of a dying linear TV audience. Billy saw the writing on the wall and jumped ship before the ship hit the iceberg.
What You Should Do Next
If you’re interested in seeing this "new" version of Billy Bush, the best place to start isn't on your TV—it's on YouTube or Spotify.
- Check out the "Hot Mics" Podcast: Specifically, look for his interview with Bill Maher or his deep dives into the "behind-the-scenes" of the 2016 scandal. It’s where he’s most honest.
- Follow the Digital Pivot: If you're a fan of entertainment news, watch how he's covering the same stories but with a much more cynical, "I know how the sausage is made" perspective.
- Compare the Eras: Watch a clip of him from 2005, then 2020, then 2026. The evolution of his broadcasting style is actually a pretty fascinating case study in how the media landscape has shifted over the last two decades.
Billy Bush hasn't been canceled—he's just been relocated. And from the looks of his current trajectory, he’s much happier in his new neighborhood.