A friend close to Melissa, who is currently the producer of the show, has revealed to American site, Naughty Gossip that she is vying to continue her mother’s work on Fashion Police by stepping into the coveted hosting seat.
“Melissa is saying that she is going to host the show. No one understands the show more than she does and this is what her mother would want,” the insider told the website.
Following Joan River’s death in September last year, comedienne Kathy Griffin was brought in to carry on the flame but the 54-year-old only lasted a few episodes before handing in her resignation.
Since Joan’s passing, the show has been rocked by several scandals the most infamous of which were comments made by host Giuliana Rancic resulting in the shock departure of both Kathy and long-time host, Kelly Osbourne.
Brad Goreski and Giuliana Rancic with now departed Kathy Griffin and Kelly Osbourne.
In February a spokesperson for E! announced Kelly’s departure, in a statement which read: “Kelly Osbourne is departing E!’s Fashion Police to pursue other opportunities, and we would like to thank her for her many contributions to the series over the past five years, during which time the show became a hit with viewers.”
While Kathy released a statement via her personal Twitter account and discussed her decision, attributing it to different comedy styles not merging.
“When I chose to step into the shoes of my beloved friend Joan Rivers at Fashion Police, I was thrilled to continue her legacy as a woman being brash and eccentric on television…
“After 7 episodes of Fashion Police, I discovered that my style does not fit with the creative direction of the show and now it’s time to move on.”
Joan’s daughter spoke to TODAY USA host, Hoda Kotb admitting she was disappointed by Kathy’s decision to leave the show.
“It wasn’t a match on a lot of levels,” Melissa explained.
Melissa hopes to bring back the magic from when her mum hosted the iconic style show.
“My biggest complaint was the feeling that she kind of s**t all over my mother’s legacy in her statement on leaving.
“And I know that that was not an intentional reading of it, but that’s how I felt… That was my takeaway, by [her] calling the comedy and the style of it old-fashioned. It’s like, I understand what you’re doing, you’re trying to save yourself, but don’t crap all over my mother to do it.”
She also added: “That was very personal. But as a professional, that was her choice, that’s what she did. No harm, no foul, moving on.”
Giuliana confirmed that Fashion Police is set to return in September, and only time will tell if Melissa will get the chance to carry on the torch.
In the words of Melissa, “My mother’s greatest joy in life was to make people laugh. Although that is difficult to do right now, I know her final wish would be that we return to laughing soon.”
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