Key Takeaways
- Melissa Rivers will return to the red carpet for the first time in nearly two decades, joining CNN and Variety for live coverage of the 78th Emmy Awards on Monday, September 14.
- The fashion expert, host and author will join CNN Correspondent Elizabeth Wagmeister and Variety co-president and co-editor-in-chief Ramin Setoodeh throughout CNN & Variety Red Carpet Live: TV’s Biggest Night, bringing her signature wit and expert eye to the evening’s fashion, trends and standout moments.
- The return marks a full-circle career moment for Rivers, who helped shape modern red-carpet coverage alongside her mother, Joan Rivers, and now returns to the carpet in a new chapter of her own.
LOS ANGELES, Sept. 11, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Melissa Rivers is returning to where she and her mother were the first ones to turn walking into a building as an event. They helped change the conversation around celebrity fashion, pop culture, and entertainment. For the first time in nearly 20 years, the entertainment host and fashion expert will be back on the red carpet, joining CNN and Variety for live coverage of the 78th Emmy Awards on Monday, September 14.
Rivers will join CNN Correspondent Elizabeth Wagmeister and Variety co-president and co-editor-in-chief Ramin Setoodeh throughout CNN & Variety Red Carpet Live: TV’s Biggest Night, offering her signature wit, sharp perspective and expert eye on the fashion trends and the moments everyone will be talking about the next day. The special begins at 5 p.m. ET and will stream live at //CNN.com/Watch and on the CNN app for CNN’s streaming subscribers.
“It’s a little surreal to think that I’m returning to the red carpet nearly 20 years later,” said Melissa Rivers. “I’m excited to be back on the red carpet with CNN and Variety, but to be honest, I’m slightly terrified. Fashion has changed, the red carpet has changed, and I’ve definitely changed. In my opinion, red carpets have gotten a little too serious over the last few years and I hope to bring some of that fun back.”
Q&A for Context
Why is Melissa Rivers’ return to the red carpet significant?
Melissa Rivers became a fixture of awards-season coverage alongside her mother, Joan Rivers, helping bring candid fashion commentary, humor and personality to the red carpet. Her return to the Emmys marks her first time back on the carpet in nearly two decades and a new chapter for Rivers.
What will Melissa Rivers do during CNN and Variety’s Emmy coverage?
Rivers will join Wagmeister and Setoodeh throughout the evening, bringing her perspective to the red-carpet fashion, emerging trends and memorable moments from television’s biggest night. Wagmeister and Setoodeh will host the live special, featuring commentary and interviews with the stars and creators behind some of the year’s most celebrated television.
How can audiences watch?
CNN & Variety Red Carpet Live: TV’s Biggest Night will stream live Monday, September 14 beginning at 5 p.m. ET for CNN’s streaming and pay TV subscribers via CNN.com, CNN connected TV and mobile apps. CNN subscribers will be able to access additional Emmys content on the CNN app.
Why is CNN and Variety teaming up for the Emmys?
The Emmy red-carpet special is the first major activation of CNN and Variety’s expanded partnership, combining CNN’s global reach and multiplatform audience with Variety’s entertainment industry access and expertise.
About Melissa Rivers
Melissa Rivers is an award-winning television host, producer, New York Times bestselling author and fashion expert whose career spans decades across entertainment, pop culture and red-carpet coverage. A longtime television personality and commentator, Rivers has built a distinct voice known for her candid humor, sharp perspective and deep knowledge of fashion and entertainment. She continues to appear across national television, digital media and podcasts as a sought-after voice on fashion, pop culture and the entertainment industry.
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SOURCE Melissa Rivers
