“Access Hollywood” segment producer Joe Siyam has inked a deal to join rival entertainment magazine news shows “Entertainment Tonight” and “The Insider” as Supervising Producer, Music, TheWrap has learned.
In his new role for CBS Television Distribution, Siyam will be charged with overseeing music industry coverage across multi-platforms for both programs.
“We are thrilled to have Joe join us in one of the key positions we are filling in the weeks ahead as we continue to expand and strengthen our leadership position in entertainment news,” said Brad Bessey, Executive Producer of “Entertainment Tonight” and “The Insider,” in a statement to TheWrap.
At “Access Hollywood,” Siyam spearheaded the show’s coverage of music talent competition shows “American Idol” and “The X Factor,” as well as coverage of major music events such as the American Music Awards and BET Awards.
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Siyam’s most notable get while at “Access” was booking one of the first national TV interviews with Justin Bieber just before he became a pop phenom.
Other noteworthy segments Siyam produced, include Simon Cowell revealing the sex of his child for the first time and last fall’s week-long Oprah Winfrey sit-down with “Access Hollywood” correspondent Shaun Robinson.
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Siyam began his career at NBC Universal 12 years ago as an intern in the “Access Hollywood” research department before being hired full-time as then-host Nancy O’Dell’s assistant. In 2006, Siyam was promoted to segment producer of music and events, later adding duties for TV. He also took on dual-producing duties for “Access Hollywood Live,” the show’s syndicated daytime spinoff show hosted by Billy Bush and Kit Hoover.
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The move is a reunion of sorts for Siyam. He’ll be rejoining former boss Nancy O’Dell, who now anchors No. 1 rated “Entertainment Tonight,” as well as former “Access Hollywood” staffers Monique Chenault (Co-Executive Producer, “The Insider”), Jeffrey Wilson (Senior Broadcast Producer, “The Insider”), Becky Brooks (VP, Programming for CBS Television Distribution), Becky Levitt, Kelsey Tlush, Bill Britt, Bryant Huddleston and Jeremy Blacklow, who oversees “The Insider’s” website as part of the show’s partnership with Yahoo Entertainment.
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Most recently Siyam was among the “Access Hollywood” producers nominated for the show in the Daytime Emmy’s inaugural “Outstanding Entertainment News Program” category. Siyam officially begins his new gig on June 23.