The Real Hosts Say Goodbye After 8 Seasons: 'We Have Made Our Mark'

Long-running daytime talk show The Real aired its final episode on Friday, and the hosts became emotional as they reflected on the series' "historic" impact throughout its eight seasons. Hosts Adrienne Houghton, Jeannie Mai Jenkins, and Garcelle Beauvais were in the studio for the finale, which was pre-taped on April 27, with Loni Love joining in via video chat.

"We have made our mark," Houghton said. "I was talking to my mom earlier this morning. She knows this is the farewell show, and she was just telling me, 'You guys really did break the mold of daytime television,' and it's so crazy when you think of it that way. There was never a show that looked like us."

The hosts praised The Real for showcasing diverse guests and discussing subjects that are normally not addressed on daytime talk shows.

"We were able to talk about things that some people, they just ignore. When you look back at eight seasons, over 1,300 episodes, it's phenomenal and it's historic," Love said. "We've had deep discussions, and when you have multicultural people on, from different cultures, we've been able to cover AAPI, we've been able to cover the Haitians, we've been able to cover the Latinas, the Black people, the women. We are so proud, and we will not be sad today. We celebrate."

The hosts were emotional as they bid farewell to the talk show, but Love encouraged viewers to keep their mission going. "We hope that our example, with what we've done, can continue. Don't let this end," she said. "Get another show like this together, with fabulous women, because we have a whole future of things that we still have to fight for, like justice and equality. We can't be afraid to talk about this."

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Kirstie Renae is a writer, blogger, and Austin-based actress with a penchant for binge-watching TV with her dogs. Follow her on Twitter @KirstieRenae.