In the blink of a freshly tucked eye, Joan and Melissa Rivers went from standing on top of the red carpet to getting swept under the rug.
The TV Guide Channel has axed the sartorially critiquing mother-daughter duo and replaced them with Dancing with the Stars alumna Lisa Rinna.
"TV Guide Channel is very appreciative of Joan and Melissa Rivers' contributions to the success of our red carpet programming over the past three years," network president Ryan O'Hara said. "We wish them the best in their future endeavors."
No reason was given for the exit of the 73-year-old comedian and her 39-year-old daughter; however, money might have been a factor. The Riverses had just concluded a three-year deal worth a reported $8 million. Rinna likely comes much cheaper.
In any event, the elder Rivers has hinted that it was not as smooth a transition as the TV honchos have let on.
"I will tell you my true feelings and experiences as soon as we finalize our new deal," she said in a statement released through publicist Judy Katz.
The duo took over awards show arrivals duty for TV Guide in January 2005, after about nine years in a similar gig at E!, where they were replaced first by the tag team of Star Jones and Kathy Griffin and eventually Ryan Seacrest. (E! Online is a division of E! Networks.)
This time around, the catty couple is being usurped by 43-year-old fashion maven Rinna, who was one of the breakout celebs on Dancing with the Stars' second season and is a newly minted Daytime Emmy nominee for her recently canceled SoapNet chatfest, Soap Talk.
Rinna has some fashion cred, too, thanks to her celeb-frequented Sherman Oaks, California, boutique, Belle Grey.
"Lisa has the perfect mix of charisma, poise and experience to lead our live red carpet coverage at the major industry awards shows," O'Hara said.
Rinna says she won't ape her predecessors' style; instead, she wants to bring her own spin into the mix.
"I have always been a huge fan of Joan and Melissa Rivers," she told TV Guide's Website. "Joan really started this whole red carpet phenomenon! I am so honored to even be trying to step into the shoes she created. I can never be Joan. I will never try to be her."
Rinna will, however, step in for a minimum of five awards pre-shows per year as well as post-show recaps, beginning with the Emmy Awards in September.