‘Fashion Police’ on ‘hiatus’ until fall

As predicted here earlier this week, E! News will not be bringing back “Fashion Police” on March 30 as earlier announced. Instead, due to all the turmoil at the show in the wake of Kathy Griffin and Kelly Osbourne’s departures, the popular series is being put on hiatus until the fall.

In a statement, E! explained the network executives are looking “forward to taking this opportunity to refresh the show before the next awards season. Our talented co-hosts Giuliana Rancic and Brad Goreski, along with Executive Producer Melissa Rivers, will continue their roles as we evolve the show into its next chapter for the legions of ‘Fashion Police’ fans around the world.”

The rebooted “Fashion Police” will likely add two additional co-hosts and will be coming back in time to cover the fashions at the Prime Time Emmys in September.

That said, there still are reports indicating the show could be axed completely if E! top brass is not comfortable with a new direction being found for the series.

In an interview with the Hollywood Reporter, NBCUniversal Lifestyle Networks Group President Frances Berwick (who oversees E!) said, “With the benefit of hindsight, we definitely brought it back too soon [after Joan Rivers’ death last year].” Berwick further admitted execs considered canceling the program following Rivers’ passing, but ultimately decided the franchise’s successful past and its loyal viewers were reasons to continue.