THE TRUTH ABOUT MARY HART

The real reason leggy MARY HART was let go by ET.

5 million reasons, actually.

5 million dollars is the amazing astronomical amount the iconic ET queen was making in the 29th year of the Hollywood news show.

And that's after receiving a ginormous 50 % pay cut, sources told the Hollywood Reporter, for one final season of Mary intro'ing celeb clips

Whether Mary left on her own or was shoved out the door with a generous severance pay-off, The Reporter says, CBS Television Distribution which owns and syndicates Entertainment Tonight is facing a downward spiral in revenues from local syndicated outlets.

With licensing fees drained and ad revenues in the dumpster, the producers had no choice but to cut some very expensive dead weight.

Mary told Variety today she has no intention of retiring -  that is, if the price is right - elsewhere.