'''''Access Hollywood''''' is a weekday television entertainment news program covering events and celebrities in the entertainment industry. It was created by former ''Entertainment Tonight'' executive producer Jim Van Messel, and is currently being directed by Kim Anastasia (in previous years, Doug Dougherty and later Christopher A. Berry have directed the program). ''Access Hollywood'' primarily focuses on news in the music, television, and movie industries. It began broadcasting on September 9, 1996, and is nationally syndicated in the United States by NBC Universal. In 2003 a British version of the show began production and in 2006 Channel 6 of Ireland also began producing their own version of the show.
Access Hollywood has been renewed through the 2006-2007 season.
In the United States, the current hosts are Billy Bush and Nancy O'Dell, with Tony Potts, Shaun Robinson, Tim Vincent and Maria Menounos as correspondents. Previous correspondents include Amy Powell and Jeff Probst.
Previous hosts include Giselle Fernandez, Larry Mendte and Pat O'Brien, who hosted the show alongside O'Dell until late 2004, when he left to host the ''Entertainment Tonight'' spin-off ''The Insider''. Giselle Fernandez and Larry Mendte were the shows original hosts when it debuted in 1996. Mendte also co-hosted the weekend edition with Nancy O'Dell.
In the United Kingdom, the show was hosted by Kate Garraway and Vincent. The Irish show is hosted by Jenny Buckley.
right|thumb|250px|Access Hollywood logo used 2001-2005
The program is produced by NBC and has changed distributors over the years, first with New World Television, followed by 20th Television (after News Corporation bought New World), then Warner Bros. Television, and finally to NBC Enterprises when the network started up a syndication division. Today, what is now NBC Universal Television Distribution is solely responsible for its production and distribution.
In 2005, ''Access Hollywood'' went on a month-long roadtrip they called ''Access Across America'' while the studio underwent a major overhaul. The show's new set was done in pastel colors with a modern flair, separating its look from other similar shows, including rival ''Entertainment Tonight''. The new look also included a brand-new graphics package. Access Hollywood is taped on Studio 1 at NBC Studios in Burbank, former home of ''The Tonight Show starring Johnny Carson''.
Spoofs
*The show was parodied in the show ''Arthur'' in the special ''Arthur, It's Only Rock N' Roll'' when a spoof named ''Access Elwood'' interviewed the band U Stink.
*In the ''South Park'' episode "Free Hat", a show airs called ''"Excess Hollywood"'' with a look-alike of then host Pat O'Brien.
