E! has paired correspondents Maria Menounos, Ross Mathews, Jason Kennedy and a rotating panelist for extended roundtable series, “Live From E!,” TheWrap has learned.
The new version of the show, which originated on digital platforms and then moved on-air for one night a week, will now air Mondays through Wednesdays weekly at 8/7c starting Monday, Sept. 8 for a half-hour.
The hosts will debate pop culture, celebrity news and coverage in an “off the cuff” style. It will also include branded segments and viewer response driven by live social activity.
Also read: E!’s ‘Hello Ross!’ Future Uncertain Due to Chelsea Handler’s Impending Exit
The network also told TheWrap that with Mathews’ move to primetime for this show, his late night talk show, “Hello Ross” is not returning for a third season.
According to the network, “Live From E!” has seen double-digit increases across all demos, including Adults 18-34 (+34 percent), Women 18-34 (+29 percent), Adults 18-49 (+31 percent), Women 18-49 (+25 percent), Total Viewers (+13 percent) and Households (+13 percent).
“As the network’s first digital series to cross over to linear, ‘Live From E!’ has proven itself to be an entertaining and informative source of pop culture news with a loyal fan following, and we are excited to expand its presence here at E!,” said Network Strategy & E! News president, Cyndi McClellan, in a statement.
Also read: Maria Menounos Inks Overall Deal With E!
She continued, “Jason, Ross and Maria each bring their own very strong opinions and points of view to the show which will make certain that audiences will see even more of the dynamic and engaging banter that they have come to expect from this series. Plus, the live format of the show allows our viewers to be part of the conversation in real time through social media — as if they were sitting right at the table with our hosts!”
New segments for the show will include:
Top Tweet – Co-hosts choose their favorite viewer tweet that was sent during the actual show and send the winner “Live From E!” swag
Selfie Hall Of Fame – Each co-host nominates a recent celebrity selfie and viewers weigh in on their favorite
Crazy Talk – Co-hosts unload about outrageous or wildly bizarre celebrity quotes
Reality Check – Co-hosts recap the nuttiest reality show moments of the week
Are They Or Aren’t They – Co-hosts give their take on rumored couples and ask the audience to give their two cents
As we previously reported, the departure of Chelsea Handler from the network to Netflix made the future for “Hello Ross!” uncertain. Handler’s Borderline Amazing produced the show, but E! owns the format.
In June, individuals at both companies told TheWrap that neither Handler’s Borderline Amazing nor E! are too fond of the idea of working with each other going forward.
“‘Hello Ross!’ will most likely be cancelled,” an individual at Borderline Amazing told TheWrap, “Obviously, the fees to Borderline were inconsequential. We just want to get rolling at Netflix.”
But, Mathews — who signed an extensive talent deal with E! in March — continues to be a favorite at the network. He will co-host E!’s “Live From the Red Carpet” Emmy special with Giuliana Rancic.
Kennedy can also be seen on “E! News” weeknights and hosting “E! News Weekend” Saturdays and Sundays. Menounos also serves as host of E!’s original newsmagazine series “Untold with Maria Menounos, which next airs August 28 at 8/7c.