It’s the end of an era for one of entertainment television’s most recognizable institutions. On July 24, news broke that E! News, the glossy, celebrity-driven program that became a nightly staple for millions of viewers across the globe, will be coming to an end once again. And no one has captured the bittersweet farewell quite like Giuliana Rancic, the woman who was, for many fans, the face of the show for nearly two decades. In a heartfelt Instagram post, Rancic said goodbye to what she called her second home, offering gratitude, nostalgia, and love to the viewers who welcomed her into their living rooms every evening.
For Rancic, this wasn’t just the cancellation of a show—it was the closing chapter of something deeply personal. “For 20 incredible years, E! News was my second home and family,” she wrote, and that sentiment was more than a throwaway line. Her association with E! News spanned years of celebrity evolution, red carpet transformations, cultural reckonings, and media revolutions. When Rancic joined the network as a cohost in 2006, the landscape of entertainment journalism was dramatically different. Social media hadn’t yet taken over, TikTok wasn’t even a concept, and celebrity news was still consumed through glossy magazines and nightly broadcasts. In many ways, Rancic and E! News were at the forefront of shifting that culture, bringing immediacy, humor, and intimacy to the way fans connected with Hollywood.
Rancic’s time on the show wasn’t continuous, but it was consistent in impact. From 2005 until her final departure in 2021, with some hiatuses in between, she was a steady, stylish, and affable presence who guided audiences through the endless carousel of pop culture moments. Whether she was breaking the latest Kardashian headline, chatting with A-listers on the red carpet, or offering her signature mix of warmth and wit during daily news rundowns, Rancic became more than a television host—she was a trusted friend to viewers. Her rapport with cohosts like Ryan Seacrest and Jason Kennedy added to the charm, making the show not just a source of information but a nightly hangout spot for celebrity enthusiasts.
Of course, like many shows that originated in the pre-digital era, E! News has struggled to maintain relevance in the face of rapid change. The COVID-19 pandemic delivered a particularly tough blow, with the network suspending all in-studio production in March 2020. That move effectively placed E! News on an indefinite hiatus, leading to Rancic’s quiet exit and the end of an era for fans who had come to associate her presence with the show’s identity. Although the program attempted a revival in November 2022 as a late-night offering—this time hosted by Adrienne Bailon-Houghton and Justin Sylvester—it never quite regained its footing in an increasingly fragmented media landscape.
Yet for those who remember the show in its heyday, the impact remains undeniable. At its peak, E! News wasn’t just reporting on pop culture; it was shaping it. The program aired in over 100 countries, providing fans from all over the world with an insider look at Hollywood’s most glamorous events. Rancic herself acknowledged that privilege in her farewell post, expressing gratitude for the chance to travel globally and meet viewers who had grown up watching her. It wasn’t just a job—it was a shared cultural experience that bridged continents, languages, and generations of celebrity followers.
She wrote, “Thank you to every single one of you for letting us into your homes every night.” The simplicity of that statement belies the powerful connection she had built over the years. Rancic’s fans weren’t just passive viewers; they were loyal supporters who celebrated her triumphs and stood by her during personal challenges. From health battles to professional pivots, her journey became intertwined with the public eye in a way few television personalities experience. Her authenticity, charm, and unwavering professionalism helped her transcend the role of a standard anchor and become a figure of admiration and respect.
As the final episode of E! News is set to air on September 25, the curtain is closing on one of the most successful runs in entertainment journalism. The show, originally launched with Dagny Hultgreen as its host, evolved over the decades into a glitzy, fast-paced, and deeply influential platform. Along the way, it welcomed a roster of charismatic talent including Maria Menounos, Terrence J, Zuri Hall, Jason Kennedy, Catt Sadler, and, of course, Ryan Seacrest—who alongside Rancic helped define the show’s golden age. Each host brought their own flavor, but Rancic’s presence stood out. Her blend of elegance and relatability made her interviews sparkle and her coverage feel personal.
Even in its more recent iterations, the show continued to seek relevance in a new media world. After Bailon-Houghton’s departure, Keltie Knight, a former Entertainment Tonight correspondent, joined Sylvester in a revamped format. But the show never quite recaptured the magic it once had. The entertainment landscape had shifted dramatically. Audiences now expect breaking news in seconds, not nightly recaps. Instagram stories, YouTube commentary, and TikTok explainers dominate the conversation. In such an environment, the traditional format of E! News—as beloved and stylish as it was—began to feel like a relic of a different time.
Still, the legacy it leaves behind is rich. E! News taught a generation how to care about celebrity stories without guilt. It treated entertainment as an art form worth examining, not dismissing. And it gave fans permission to get excited about what others might have called frivolous. It wasn’t just about celebrity gossip—it was about fashion, culture, human interest, and the joy of being in the know. It made stars feel a little more human, and the viewers a little more connected.
Rancic’s farewell also marks a broader trend in television: the slow, quiet departure of once-monumental programs that shaped our daily routines. As streaming services and digital content reign supreme, live, appointment-based viewing is no longer the norm. The same is happening across other legacy media platforms. But while many such shows fade away with little fanfare, the goodbye to E! News feels personal—especially because of the heartfelt messages from those who helped build it.
The network will continue to focus on its other offerings, including reality series like Botched Presents: Plastic Surgery Rewind, Honestly Cavallari: The Headline Tour, and upcoming shows like Kimora: Back in the Fab Lane and E!’s Dirty Rotten Scandals. However, none of those quite carry the same cultural cachet or foundational importance as E! News. The show was the heartbeat of the E! network. It was the bridge between Hollywood and home, between the red carpet and the living room sofa.
Some of the program’s correspondents will reportedly transition to Versant, a spinoff of E!’s parent company NBCUniversal, though details remain scarce. In many ways, that’s fitting—entertainment news itself is still trying to figure out where it belongs in a world that’s constantly updating and evolving. But no matter what form it takes in the future, E! News will always be remembered as a pioneer, and Rancic as one of its brightest stars.
Her goodbye was more than just a farewell; it was a love letter to two decades of entertainment history. “Anchoring E! News was my dream job and the professional honor of a lifetime,” she wrote, and there’s no doubt she meant it. Her legacy—and that of the show—is built not just on celebrity interviews and Emmy red carpets, but on the sense of connection she helped forge with audiences across the globe.
As the industry moves forward and adapts to new realities, one thing remains certain: shows like E! News, and hosts like Giuliana Rancic, will always be remembered for the golden years they gave us. For the glitz, the glamour, the breaking stories, and the laughter that came with them. They reminded us that it’s okay to care about pop culture, to celebrate it, and to let it bring a little light into our day. And for that, the show—and the woman who helped define it—will be deeply missed.
