Maria Menounos to Replace Giuliana Rancic on E! News
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Maria Menounos will be named to a lead role on E! News, filling the pivotal slot vacated by longtime anchor Giuliana Rancic, several individuals with knowledge of the situation told TheWrap. And if the sudden announcement of Rancic's departure gave viewers whiplash, it may be because the behind-the-scenes drama at the entertainment program is closer to an auto collision than simple housekeeping.
Insiders told TheWrap that ego and indecision lay at the heart of Rancic's exit after 10 years in her post, which was announced late Wednesday evening -- immediately followed by "fine print" negotiations for E! correspondent Maria Menounos to assume the anchor slot, an individual familiar with the deal told TheWrap.
"They're negotiating titles and it's down to the finer details, Maria will appear on 'E! News' within weeks," the insider said. In terms of staff response to Rancic hitting the road, "No one's crying," the individual added.
