Sara Gilbert Is Leaving ‘The Talk’ After Season 9 — See the Emotional Announcement!

It’s the end of an era. Sara Gilbert announced that she is leaving her job as cohost of The Talk on CBS at the end of the current ninth season during the April 9 episode of the talk show. The decision, she tearily revealed, was due to a busy schedule and desire to spend more time with her family.

“This is hard to do. This is something that I have been struggling with for a while, and going back and forth, but I’ve decided that it’s time for me to leave the show at the end of this season,” the 44-year-old said, clearly getting emotional and evoking gasps from the audience. “I obviously love it here and, like I said, this was extremely difficult.”

Sara, who created The Talk back in 2010 and still serves as executive producer, will be reprising her role on The Conners now that ABC has renewed it for season 2. In addition to starring on the Roseanne spinoff, she also serves as an executive producer. Pulling double duty on both projects — while she “loved it and felt totally empowered” by it — took a toll on her.

“If I’m being honest about it, my life was slightly out of balance,” the two-time Emmy nominee explained. “I wasn’t able to spend as much time with my three kids as I’d like or [have] time for myself.”

“As I’ve continued on, I’m starting to develop more things to produce, and I’m having opportunities to act and I’m just feeling like I don’t know how I’m going to do it all,” Sara added. “I was looking at the next six months and thinking, ‘There’s not time.'”

The mom-of-three gave the example of how she hasn’t been able to do the “small things” in life, like create a baby book for her youngest child, son Rhodes with with wife Linda Perry, even though he is 4 years old. The TV icon is also shares 11-year-old daughter Sawyer and 14-year-old son Levi with ex Allison Adler.

“It’s difficult because this is a place that I love and a place that I’m extremely happy. I love the hosts, I love the crew, I love our staff [and] I’m so grateful to the audience for letting me in your homes every day. It’s been such an honor,” Sara gushed. “Thank you so much.”

Cohost Sheryl Underwood, who has been on the show from season 2 to now, was the first to react, calling Sara an “amazing woman” who is “a true example for others to follow.” Carrie Ann Inaba, who joined this season, and Eve, who joined last season, then had to console cohost Sharon Osbourne — the sole person remaining who has been with Sara since The Talk‘s very beginning.

“I want to say so many things to Sara,” the 66-year-old, who was the most emotional of them all, managed to get out. “I just have to say that this show has been on the air for nine years and we’ve had different ladies at this table but, to me, this has been the best table.” In the end, Sharon said she is lucky to have worked with her “fabulous” friend — and, as it turns out, neighbor.

While this news obviously shook everyone up, it garnered a sweet reaction from Sara’s big sister, Little House on the Prairie star Melissa Gilbert. “I love my baby sister @THEsaragilbert so much. I am so incredibly proud of her. She created an incredible show in @TheTalkCBS,” she tweeted. “I know that this, for her, may feel like an ending but I also know, with all my heart, that this is really the beginning. Just watch!”

https://twitter.com/MEGBusfield/status/1115678739717865478

Thanks for all the incredible moments, Sara. You will be missed!

Be sure to check out and subscribe to our Classic TV & Film Podcast for interviews with your favorite stars!