E! Online reports that its own Giuliana Rancic is departing E! News. Rancic made a statement thanking E!, and mentioned her future endeavors, which will involve the cable network as well as wine and clothes:
For more than a decade, I was fortunate enough to play a role in the success of E! News and will miss my family at the show. At the same time, I am excited to not only continue as host of two major franchises on E! but also executive produce the aspirational new show Rich In Faith for Oxygen as well as take my wine and clothing lines to the next level.
Those “major franchises” are Live From the Red Carpet and Fashion Police, which, respectively, interview celebrities about their awards-show clothing choices, then mock those choices behind their backs.
While not on the level of Brian Williams making shit up because it sounds cool, Rancic endured some negative press of her own after making some unfortunate remarks about Zendaya’s Oscar’s red carpet style, compelling her to issue the type of apology that attracts additional attention to the original faux pas. Shortly after, Kelly Osbourne and Kathy Griffin left Fashion Police., leaving only Rancic, Brad Goreski, and a pair of fabulous, impossibly big stilettos to fill.
It’s not clear if this incident prompted Rancic’s departure from E! News, particularly considering she made the gaffe during the recording of an episode of Fashion Police, and her license to make fun of tacky dresses has so far gone unrevoked. But nothing says says “damage control” like an impromptu exit following a cast-gutting scandal.
According to NY Daily News, Maria Menounos will step in as E! News interim host, while the network evaluates her performance to see if she can a muster her own fashion-forward version of a Lester Holtaissance for the program.