I think shows like ET are on their way out (like the dinosaur media). There are too many celeb blogs that can be 'hit' any time of the day (for those who follow this sort of thing). ET, being mainstream, TV homogenized, can't really compete with the real time reporting of TMZ; the cattiness of a Perez Hilton; or the sarcasism of WWTDD or MollyGood. They just can't keep up...This was Mary Hart's 25th anniversary year on the show...good run, but fading media type.
Also, the stink that Steines is bringing to the show (the official HK$ mouthpeice...hello, bucking the court of public opinion there) along with paying for the rights to film an out of control druggie, will be hard to get away from.