Hartley Makes an Early Exit From CBS’ Ill-Fated ‘Morning Program’

In what has become sort of a tradition for co-hosts of CBS’ morning programs, Mariette Hartley bid an earlier-than-planned adieu Tuesday to CBS’ lame duck “The Morning Program.”

“I can’t believe this is the end,” she told viewers at the end of her last show. It was disclosed during the program that she is leaving before “The Morning Program” ends its run to make a movie called “1969.”

Sandy Hill will succeed Hartley until the show’s Nov. 27 finale. The low-rated 90-minute venture, which began Jan. 12, has been axed to make way for a new CBS morning program premiering on Nov. 30. Unlike the current endeavor, it will be produced by CBS News.

Former ABC anchor Kathleen Sullivan has been hired to co-anchor the new venture. Several men have been auditioned as her partner, but no one has been chosen yet. A decision on that may come later this week, a network spokesman said.

In opting for an early exit from her show, Hartley emulated Phyllis George, who in 1985 quit as co-anchor of the “CBS Morning News” before her contract expired, and Forrest Sawyer, who left that program on Aug. 24.

Neither of them told viewers goodby, but the bouncy Hartley did. Seated alongside co-host Rolland Smith, she opened Tuesday’s show with the announcement that she is leaving--”obviously,” she said, “with mixed feelings.”

“It’s been a family . . . but it’s an important move for me, and because of the cancellation (of the show) we had to find our particular jobs.”

Still, she said, she’ll miss the show’s live studio audience and praised viewers who wrote letters in support of “The Morning Program.”

At the end of the show, she got roses from Smith and this advice--partly in jest--from weatherman Mark McEwen: “Do not get up early to watch the show. Remember to sleep late.”