Brutal moment ‘Access Hollywood’ staff told show was axed — with one tearful team forced to go live just hours later

Staff at “Access Hollywood” learned their show was being cancelled during a tearful morning call — with even top producers unaware of the brutal decision, The Post has learned.

After receiving the gut-punching news, staffers had to put on brave faces and get to work ahead of Sunday night’s Academy Awards, without knowing when their last days would be details of their severance packages, said sources with knowledge of the situation.

“Pretty sh—y start to Oscars weekend,” one source told The Post, adding that all staff were still required to work long hours on Hollywood’s biggest night.

NBCUniversal made the decision Friday to pull the plug on “Access Hollywood” after nearly 30 years, along with its companion show “Access Live,” whose staff had to go live just hours after receiving the heartbreaking news, sources said.

The “Access” programs, along with “Karamo” and “The Steve Wilkos Show,” will end production as the media giant walks away from first-run syndicated TV programs.

“Access” staff suspect that higher-ups made the sweeping decision following Kelly Clarkson’s decision to step away from her talk show at the end of this season. Still, employees couldn’t make sense of it.

“Our ratings are higher than ‘Extra,’ how are they still around?” one asked.

“Access Hollywood” and “Access Live” will continue filming through the summer before going off the air for good.

Currently hosted by Mario Lopez, Kit Hoover, Scott Evans and Zuri Hall, the show first aired in September 1996.

Hosts and correspondents through the years have included Nancy O’Dell, Maria Menounos, Jeff Probst, Pat O’Brien and Billy Bush.

Download The California Post App, follow us on social, and subscribe to our newsletters