Natalie Morales has been fired as the host of Access Hollywood by NBC executives in order to make way for Mario Lopez, who will be the new face of the revamped show, DailyMail.com has learned.
The 46-year-old was let go along with the show's longtime executive producer Rob Silverstein, who will be replaced by Maureen Fitzpatrick at both Access and Access Hollywood Live.
Fitzpatrick was brought on by NBC as a consultant to fix the struggling show, but staffers say they feel the program has become boring and stale on her watch.
And in a further blow to the team, 'beloved' Morales was edged out by 'giant cheese ball' Lopez and staffers haven't been officially informed by higher-ups about the major switch-up, a source told DailyMail.com.
Natalie Morales has been fired as the host of Access Hollywood by NBC executives in order to make way for Mario Lopez, who will be the new face of the revamped show, DailyMail.com has learned
'NBC are trying to keep Natalie's firing secret as they plan on announcing it just before the summer, but everyone knows,' the source told DailyMail.com. 'Natalie is going to be replaced by Mario Lopez who NBC has taken from Extra before Extra moves to FOX in the Fall'
DailyMail.com has contacted NBC and Access Hollywood representatives for comment.
'NBC are trying to keep Natalie's firing secret as they plan on announcing it just before the summer, but everyone knows,' the source told DailyMail.com.
'Natalie is going to be replaced by Mario Lopez who NBC has taken from Extra before Extra moves to FOX in the Fall.
'Mario has done a secret deal to be the new face of the show and this has pushed beloved Natalie out.
'Everyone is p***ed as he is a giant cheese ball who is allergic to hard work. He's not the face of the show we want.
'It's like being told that Dad and Mom have died and now you're being raised by the Grandma you don't like.
'Natalie moved her entire family out to the West Coast for this job and now they have literally screwed her.'
Lopez had been in talks with NBC executives since last summer and was even flown out to New York to help host the annual
