For those who have asked, QVC host Patti Reilly’s last day is apparently next Friday.
At least, that’s what her fellow QVC host Lisa Robertson said on Facebook yesterday.
“Just had lunch with Patti, she is in a good place,” Robertson wrote. “Her last show is this coming Friday Night Beauty. Hope you join her, I know I will. We can send her off with a lot of support and good wishes. She has a lot of adventures ahead :)”
Cubic zirconia bling king Charles Winston says he is moving to a new home shopping network.
The question is where will it be, since he’s already done stints at ShopNBC and HSN. And we don’t really see him as a fit for QVC.
Charles Winston
Back in September Winston’s scheduled shows on HSN were abruptly cancelled due to legal issues, which Winston was unwilling to clue us in on.
Then this week on Facebook, he posted that he will be on the move.
“As many of you have suspected, my last appearance on the air was a huge hit,” Winston wrote, and we assume he is referring to HSN.
“I have decided to switch networks,” he wrote. “I have been in intense negotiations with several networks over the past 3 months and have made my choice. I will be announcing, hopefully as early as next week, which network you will be able to see my shows once aga…in. I am looking forward to wowing you with my over-the-top and some more conservative styles…all of which are fit for a queen.”
We hope they are more conservative, because his jewelry for HSN was too over-the-top for even us!
We’ll be fair. We criticized QVC host Lisa Robertson’s dress for the home shopping network’s big pre-Oscar party in Beverly Hillls last night. It made her look hippy.
Well, she is more than making up for that dreadful Isaac Mizrahi dress last night. She looks stunning tonight in a gorgeous, two-toned peacock green sleeveless gown with feathers on one side of the bodice. It’s by Mark Zunino, who is Nolan Miller’s partner in a QVC jewelry line.
Robertson looks so fine that when her fellow QVC host Shawn Killinger saw her, she asked, “Are you single?”
Shawn, we didn’t know you rolled that way.
Another long-time QVC host is flying the coop. Patti Reilly is following Lisa Mason out the door.
Reilly posted the news on her blog, on her own website. Thanks for the tip, Joanie-B!
Patti Reilly's photo from Puerto Rico
Here’s part of Reilly’s blog:
“It’s true that I am leaving QVC after 11 great years. I’m looking forward to opening myself up to new ideas and experiences in life, but I’d be fooling myself if I didn’t admit that it’s a little scary. I’ve been so lucky to have a healthy family, nephews, my niece, great friends and co-workers, all in their own way who have opened up and shared a piece of their life with me. Through a different lens, and mentally picturing myself for one day in their shoes, came the realization that I want to try other things. That I want to value and really, really be present with my family & friends more.
Reilly, fresh from a vacation in Puerto Rico, wrote that she had an epiphany when when her black lab got sick last summer. She said she lives alone with her two dogs, and was heartbroken when the lab could no longer get up the stairs to sleep with her.
I talked to my family and friends more and reached out to people I haven’t seen in years. I stepped back and looked at my life, which is not really where I ultimately envisioned it to be. I would love to boast about my children, husband & homelife, but my picture right now just looks different than what I would have thought had you asked me 10 years ago. I have an opportunity now to take a step, start a new journey and I’m going to embrace that. I know that if Piper could climb up those stairs one last time, she definitely would!
Reilly was doing executive training when she caught the QVC bug.
QVC was the only watchable show on at 2 or 3 in the morning. I saw Lisa Robertson selling Smashbox Cosmetics and suddenly found my next goal. I auditioned for a Show Host position in February, 2000 and was offered the job a month later. I’ve been at QVC for 11 years now…can you believe it??? I love what I do, especially when I host beauty shows.
Reilly is a very polarizing figure. QVC fans either loved her or hated her. She sparked a lot of speculation when she lost a ton of weight, We suspected surgery, but she claimed it was just a diet. On some of her more recent appearances, she made bizarre comments about her moods and sometimes made off remarsk to vendors.
She is regularly brutally lampooned on the Television Without Pity website.
We just got in and tuned in to QVC’s Red Carpet pre-Oscar shindig at the Four Seasons in Beverly Hills. We’ve got to hand it to QVC — there is a huge crowd there, and when we came in actress Marlee Matlin was using sign language to say something that we missed.
Now QVC jewelry queen Joan Rivers is talking to host Lisa Robertson, hawking sunglasses.
Lisa Robertson, we wished we liked your red carpet dress
Earlier in the day, on Facebook Robertson said she was heading out to get made up for the party five hours before it started. “It takes a village,” she joked, to get her ready to go on-air. So we were looking forward to see how she looked.
Robertson is a beautiful woman, but she is clad in a long beige gown that is pulling against her stomach area and making her look heavy — which we know she isn’t. This unflattering dress is apparently by QVC designer Isaac Mizrahi. Isaac, Isaac, Isaac.
Robertson’s side ponytail is not such a great look, either. And guess who did the hair? QVC vendor Nick Chavez. Nick, Nick, Nick.
We also got a gander at QVC host Shawn Killinger, who is running around with a microphone interviewing the partygoers. She’s wearing a short black babydoll dress, and her boobs are popping out of the top of it.
Now model Camila Alves, actor Matthew McConaughey’s baby mama, is showing off a pretty fringed bag and a huge bag she did for QVC. She is dressed in a beautful black sequined dress, and looks stunning.
Kim and Kourtney Kardashian are being interviewed on the red carpet, and will soon be pitching their QVC clothing line, K-Dash.
And FYI, vendors and hosts from different home shopping networks do fraternize together. Former QVC host Dave King, who is now at ShopNBC, is also in LA. And on his Facebook page he posted a photo of him, Robertson and Laurie Feltheimer, who does the “Hot in Hollywood” line for HSN, at a restaurant.
QVC will be back in Cali this weekend for the second year in a row to ride the red-carpet coattails of the Oscars.
Claiming that it got “impressive viewership” with its first such broadcast, “Buzz on the Red Carpet – Live from LA” will, or so the press release says, QVC “once again take viewers behind-the-scenes with exclusive content from top fashion designers, beauty newsmakers, celebrities and more.”
There will be two live broadcasts, this Friday at 9 p.m. (ET) and Saturday at 8 p.m. (ET).
During the shindig at the Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills, “Gossip Girl” actress Kelly Rutherford will finally debut her luxury handbag line during the Saturday broadcast.
“Much like New York during Fashion Week, there is no place like Los Angeles during awards season,” QVC U.S. CEO Claire Watts said in a canned statement. “’The Buzz’ on the Red Carpet broadcast aims to offer engaging programming that takes our viewers where they want to go. With our lineup of personalities and industry experts, we feel confident that this season will be full of excitement for our customers.”
Fashion designers including Isaac Mizrahi, Dennis Basso and Marc Bouwer are scheduled to appear during the broadcasts along with Lori Goldstein, the Kardashians and Melania Trump.
Actor Matthew McConaughy’s girlfriend (and mother of his child) Camila Alves and costume designer Janie Bryant, of “Mad Men,” will also present their latest collections. They will join some of the best in the beauty business including Kate Somerville, Josie Maran, Laura Geller, Smashbox and Tarte, among others, will be on hand.
QVC.com will host a special online preview of the event now through Friday.
We wrote about former “Queen Eye For The Straight Guy” Thom Filicia bringing a bedding line to QVC earlier this week and here, finally, is the official press release.
THOM FILICIA IS AT HOME WITH NEW QVC COLLECTION
Celebrity Interior Designer to Debut His First Bedding Line with the Multimedia Retailer
West Chester, Pa. (February 15, 2011) – From starring in such hit shows as Tacky House, Dress My Nest and Queer Eye for the Straight Guy to penning his one-of-a kind design book, Thom Filicia has dedicated his career to helping others create the perfect living space. Now, the Emmy Award winner is about to take his passion one step further as he unveils his brand-new bedding collectionon QVC.
Thom Filicia Designs for Living is scheduled to debut Wednesday, February 16 at 7 PM (ET) and will include an exquisite assortment of top-of-bed pieces, including comforters, pillows, throws and sheet sets. The collection employs beautiful pops of color combined with interesting textures and bold patterns brought together with classic detailing. The design is fresh, fun and inviting with an inspiring collected and coordinated look.
“While Thom may best be known for his television roles, his unique design aesthetic and fresh, approachable style are what truly make him a star,” said John Kelly, vice president of merchandising for QVC. “We are thrilled to have the opportunity to offer this exciting new line to our shoppers.”
Priced between $28.00 and $250.00, Thom Filicia Designs for Living marks Filicia’s first bedding collection. Believing that “building a bed” is similar to “building a wardrobe,” the designer ensured that each piece was created to coordinate with others in the line.
“The design of this bedding collection is all about taking motifs and designs that we love and enlarging the scale, cleaning up the details and injecting it with a fresh, powerful color palette,” said Filicia. “My inspiration was to fill that void with bedding that is well priced, well made and filled with personality – something accessible and exceptional at the same time.”
Thom Filicia Designs for Living will be available through QVC starting February 16 at QVC.com or 1.800.345.1515, while supplies last.
Another alum from “Queer Eye For The Straight Guy” has landed at QVC.
Design expert Thom Filicia, a gay guy that one of our female friends lusted after, is doing a collection called “Designs for Living” for QVC, which debuts Wednesday.
Thom Filicia
Filicia follows in the footsteps of Carson Kressley, who did a clothing line for QVC called Perfect. (BTW we literally bumped into him once on Park Avenue South).
UPDATE: A reader, Sharon, kindly informed me that “Thom’s actually the THIRD. Kyan was on once with his hair product, “HerCut.” Sharon is referring to Kyan Douglas, who was our gay crush.
As for Filicia, he has designed bedding, rugs and pillows for the No. 1 home shopping network.
“You may have watched Thom Filicia from your living room, but now you can decorate it with his new home collection,” QVC’s website says. “In his line, Thom harmonizes contrasting textures and palettes to create classically simple home décor with an unexpected, modern flair.”
There’s more in QVC’s program guide.
One of House Beautiful’s Top 100 American Designers, a House & Garden International Tastemaker and an EMMY award-winner, Thom Filicia is an accomplished home décor expert who you may recognize from popular shows such as Dress My Nest and Queer Eye for the Straight Guy.
And now, he comes to QVC with his Designs for Living, where refined details mix with raw edges, industrial plays against organic, and where textures and palettes are used in unexpected yet classic combinations.
Filicia’s fresh yet timeless approach to design can be seen as he infuses color trends and combinations with an updated design that is both beautiful and highly practical in his bedding ensembles and home textiles.
Lisa Mason fans, “Laura and Lisa on Lex” is a go on April 9. And Gino will be there.
Former QVC host Mason posted on her blog that she and QVC vendor/makeup diva Laura Geller will be meeting with friends and fans in the Big Apple. Mason it touting her new book, “Big Life Lessons From That Still, Small Voice.” Mason and Geller are neighbors in Manhattan.
Lisa Mason's beloved husband Gino
“We start at 10:30 at B and N (Barnes & Noble) on Lex with coffee and talk and books,” Mason blogged.
“The great folks at the 86th street location want to have books on hand if you are interested in having one signed! Then, at noon, we break for lunch and then go to the Laura Geller Make-Up Studio! Laura will be there with her fab staff helping with all our makeup needs. She will have great deals and will probably serve champagne!!!”
Mason is asking that those who want to make the trek RSVP.
“I will be putting up a page for you to reserve a spot,” Mason wrote. “There is NO OBLIGATION to purchase anything. That is NOT what this is about. This is a girlfriends day and a celebration of spring. But, it will give us a general idea of how many people we should expect. For now… save the date and call you best gal pal! Or, if you prefer, bring your hubby. Mine will be there, too!!!!! Love you!”
Anyone who watched Mason on QVC often heard her talk about her husband, Gino. He is just turning 50, according to Mason.
“I am still in love,” Mason wrote. “Happy Valentine’s Day!”
In a prior post, Mason said that her mother Barbara and sister Amanda will also be attending “L and L.”
So far, Mason is doing well with her book. She basically sold out 2,000 signed copies. You can also order it at www.bbotw.com.
Comcast, the Philadelphia cable cabal, is back in the home shopping business.
Comcast, which once owned QVC, now holds a roughly 17 percent stake in ShopNBC, as a result of its acquisition of NBC Universal, according to a filing the media giant made Monday with the Securities and Exchange Conmmission.
ValueVision Media, ShopNBC’s corporate name, had 37.7 million shares outstanding as of Jan. 5. NBCU, now part of Comcast, owns 6.4 million, or 17 percent, of those shares. Comcast/NBCU will be getting an additional 1 million shares in May as part of a licensing agreement that permits ShopNBC to continue using “NBC” in its name.
And 10 percent of ShopNBC’s common stock is owned by management.
QVC, once of Comcast CEO Brian Robert’s favorite assets, is now owned by cable cowboy John Malone’s Liberty Media.
Homeshoppingista's Blog By Linda Moss 