Rinna to fill Riverses’ heels on red carpet

TV Guide Channel announced Wednesday that it had booted Joan and Melissa Rivers from their Hollywood red carpet coverage and replaced the catty duo with actress and television host Lisa Rinna.

The Riverses launched the TV Guide Channel’s Red Carpet programming in 2005 when the cable outlet signed the mother-daughter team to an estimated $6-million deal over a three-year period.

The pair’s contract was up for renewal, but TV Guide Channel executives decided to head in a new direction.

Joan Rivers said she would withhold comment until she had a new deal in place.

Rinna, who signed to host five Red Carpet pre-shows a year for TV Guide Channel, will make her debut at the Emmy Awards on Sept. 16.

“Joan Rivers is an icon of the red carpet. They’re big shoes to fill,” said Rinna, who has done red carpet commentary for “Access Hollywood,” starred as Taylor McBride in “Melrose Place” and has appeared on ABC’s “Dancing With the Stars.” “I can’t emulate what Joan has done; all I can bring is me.”

*

Martin Miller