TVSquad

Interesting post by Tom O'Neil over at his LA Times blog. O'Neil is the guy you see on many of the awards shows, especially the Emmys, giving his analysis and predictions. He worked with Joan and Melissa quite a bit, and knows why they were let go by the TV Guide Channel. And it didn't have anything to do with money.

The reason? Entourage (and not the HBO show). I guess the two women have too many people around them and it got to be more of a hassle than it was worth to the network.

O'Neil also says that Joan and Melissa are a lot nicer and more generous than they've been made out to be. He also reveals that several producers at the TV Guide Channel wish they had been kept on (the same with E! execs, because Star Jones drove them nuts on the red carpet). I'm sure we'll be seeing the two women again with another deal soon.

First they were kicked to the curb by E! Entertainment Television, and now the same thing has happened with the TV Guide Channel: Joan and Melissa Rivers have been let go by the network and replaced by Lisa Rinna, star of Dancing with the Stars and various soaps.

Joan has a lot to say about what happened, but is keeping quiet until a new deal is finalized, says her spokesperson.

I love the press release from TV Guide Channel President Ryan O'Hara. Let me translate his remarks:

This seems like an unlikely pairing. Melissa Rivers has signed on to work the "yellow carpet" at a big NASCAR bash in New York City on Friday night for SPEED TV. (Why is everything in all caps for this sport?) Melissa will be interviewing NASCAR racers and their wives as they arrive at the Waldorf-Astoria for the NASCAR Nextel Cup Banquet.

I can see it now:

Melissa Rivers: "Who are you wearing?"
Nascar driver: "Uhhh... (reading the ads on his uniform) Viagra, Exxon, Tide..."

Wouldn't it be great if Melissa turned out to be a huge fan of NASCAR? She could talk shop about "aero pushing" and "dirty air" (yes, I did consult a NASCAR glossary for those terms). Check out Melissa Rivers starting at 7 pm Friday night on SPEED TV-- she'll either be making a fool of herself or surprising us all.

If you're looking for something to do this Friday night, fret not. Joan Rivers is free too. Rivers recently listed a profile for herself on the popular online dating service Match.com in the hopes that she can find Mr. Right.

However, gentlemen, there are some stipulations. You have to be between 65 and 75 years old as well as have no desire to get married. Sounds like a booty-call is all that's requested if you ask me. Rivers, who guested in an episode of Nip/Tuck back in December, has an upcoming stand-up tour through Australia starting in April.

Ryan Seacrest's plan for world domination is nearly complete. He just signed a deal to executive produce and host E!'s Live from the Red Carpet, starting with the Golden Globes on January 16. He'll be the main host with roaming reporters Isaac Mizrahi and Giuliana DePandi actually down on the red carpet as celebrities start to arrive. But wait! There's more. In March, Seacrest will also become managing editor and co-anchor of E! News, a daily celebrity newscast on the entertainment channel currently hosted by Giuliana DePandi. As part of the deal, Seacrest will also produce and host celebrity interviews for E!. All of this is in addition to his hosting duties for American Idol and his M-F job as a DJ at a Los Angeles radio station and also as the host of American Top 40 radio show. Do you think he has it in his contract that he gets to say "Seacrest Out" at the end of each broadcast? Ah, well. One Ryan Seacrest is a heck of a lot better than Star Jones, or Joan and Melissa Rivers.