GIULIANA DePandi has emerged as Star Jones’ likely successor on E!’s red carpet – if Jones doesn’t re-sign with the network.
“The one thing I’m thrilled about is that Giuliana gets more popular with our viewers and they’ve reacted enthusiastically to her on the red carpet,” says E! president Ted Harbert.
“Maybe it doesn’t take a nationally known star to do the job, and Giuliana is a terrific news interviewer,” Harbert said. “She would do a great job.”
DePandi, a native of Naples, Italy – once linked to actor Jerry O’Connell – joined E! as a news correspondent in 2002 after a stint at the syndicated series “Uncovered.”
Since then, she’s become the face of E! news coverage in much the same way as former E! anchors Steve Kmetko and Jules Asner.
Jones’ deal to host E!’s red-carpet coverage ended after last month’s Emmys. Harbert said he and Jones will sit down later this month or early next month to discuss her future at the network.
Jones told The Post last month that with her new book (“Shine”) coming out in January – and with her daily workload on “The View” – she couldn’t commit to a deal with E!, which needs to make a decision on its red-carpet host before the Golden Globe awards (Jan. 16).
“Star did a fabulous job and I’m pleased with her work and the ratings were terrific,” Harbert said. “She called me the week after the Emmys and said she was working with her publisher to figure out her book tour for January and February.
“She said, ‘I know it’s going to be weekend work and I don’t know where it’s going to take me and I can’t commit to you now,’ ” Harbert said.
Kathy Griffin, who also appeared on E!’s red-carpet Emmycast, wouldn’t be considered for the lead interviewer role, Harbert said.
“I love Kathy – she does a great job delivering comic relief and comic content, but I just don’t see her as a first-position interviewer,” Harbert said.
“Our audience expects and wants the interview that talks about fashion.”
RED-CARPET ODDS
THE SMART MONEY
Giuliana DePandi (E! news anchor) 5-1
THE DARK HORSE
Kathy Griffin (Current sidekick) 1000-1
THE LONG SHOTS
Joan and Melissa Rivers (Former hosts) Million-1
THE INCUMBENT
Star Jones 4-1
