The Insider(TV program)

The Insider
Also known as	omg! Insider(2013–2014)
Genre	Entertainment newsmagazine
Presented by	Louis Aguirre Debbie Matenopoulos
Composers	Michael Egizi (2004–2017) Joel Beckerman (2013–2015) Eric Allaman(2013–2015) Dan Beyer (2007) Kevin Frazier
Country of origin	United States
Original language	English
No.of seasons	13
No.of episodes	4,074(3,395 weekdays; 679 weekend)
Production
Executive producers	Linda Bell Blue (2004–2013) Brad Bessey (2013–2016) Jeffrey Wilson (2016–2017)
Camera setup	Multi-camera
Running time	21 minutes
Production companies	Paramount Domestic Television (2004–2006) (seasons 1–2) CBS Paramount Domestic Television (2006–2007) (seasons 2–4) CBS Television Distribution (2007–2017) (seasons 4–13)
Original release
Network	Syndication CBS
Release	September 13, 2004(2004-09-13)– September 9, 2017(2017-09-09)
Related
Entertainment Tonight

The Insideris an Americansyndicatednewsmagazinetelevision program that was distributed byCBS Television Distribution.The program premiered in first-run syndication on September 13, 2004 and ended on September 9, 2017, as a spin-off ofEntertainment Tonight,which originated the concept as a segment that took viewers "behind closed doors" and gave them "inside" information on stories and topics of interest from throughout the entertainment industry.

When it became a separate program, it shifted toward atabloiddirection, and had several format changes throughout its thirteen seasons on the air before settling on a final format at the start of the 2011–12 season, which shed many of the tabloid elements and became more of a straight rundown of entertainment news, providing coverage of events and celebrities, interviews and inside looks at upcoming film and television projects.

The program's weekday broadcasts wereanchoredbyLouis AguirreandDebbie Matenopoulos;its weekend editions were anchored byMichael YoandKeltie Knight,who also served as correspondents for the weekday editions.

History

Starting out with a bi-coastal format, the program was originally hosted byPat O'Brien– who was based inHollywoodatParamount StudiosStage 28, whereEntertainment Tonight's set was also housed at the time – andLara Spencer– who was based atMTV'sOne Astor Plazastudio inNew York City,overlookingTimes Square.In its first season,The Insideroriginally maintained a news-heavy format, making way for a direction where subjects such as a pair ofanorexic nervosatwin sisters from Australia (who died in an April 2012 house fire) were regularly featured in sweeps periods, along with other fringe stories such astrue crimestories and theNadya Sulemanstory, which had little or nothing to do with the entertainment industry.

O'Brien – who was originally co-host of syndication competitorAccess Hollywoodfrom 1997 to 2004 – remained co-host ofThe Insideruntil March 5, 2008, when he was replaced withDonny Osmond.O'Brien returned to the program one month later after Osmond declined to take on a role as a permanent host. During the first four years she was on the program, Spencer hosted the program solo at times due to O'Brien's varied personal problems, which forced him to take time off in extended periods to address them. The original theme song – which was changed after the second season, coincided with a change in distributors toCBS Paramount Domestic TelevisionafterCBSassumed ownership ofViacom's television production and syndication operations in their December 2005 split – was performed byRichie Sambora.

For its fourth season, production of the program was moved to New York City full-time in September 2007. O'Brien relocated fromLos Angelesto join Spencer in a new studio based within theMinskoff TheatreinManhattan(where the musical adaptation ofThe Lion Kingis based), which featured unobstructed views of Times Square, nearby the MTV studio facilities and also within One Astor Plaza.

On September 8, 2008,The Insiderbegan broadcasting inhigh-definition television;concurrently,The Insiderrelocated primary production and studio operations back to Los Angeles, joining sister programETat Stage 4 at theCBS Studio Center,one of the final steps involving the incorporation of Paramount's former syndication arm,Paramount Domestic Television,into CBS' distribution arms following the earlier CBS-Viacom split and the adoption of the then-new CBS Television Distribution name.The set's focal point was a large life-size 3D construction of the program's logo, which was formerly used as the main portion of the set where segments took place until the September 2009 retooling of the program to incorporate a panel format.

The New York-based aspect of the program was also abandoned, with Spencer relocating to Los Angeles and becoming a solo host, joined by correspondentsVictoria Recano,Steven CojocaruandCheryl Woodcock.In the move, O'Brien became a Los Angeles-based correspondent for the program;however ten days later on September 18, he was dismissed permanently fromThe Insiderfor comments he made in a staff email after a trip toIowa,where he directed comments specifically at a mid-show daily segment presented by Spencer that debuted at the start of the season. O'Brien proceeded to involve a rundown of the prices and labels of her clothing and accessories (which were referenced in the segment), saying that it made the viewers he talked to "vomit".Despite this pointed criticism, the segment continued to air at the end of every edition until Spencer's departure, expanding to the point where viewers made amultiple choiceon what Spencer would wear on the next broadcast. O'Brien would appear one more time on the final episode ofThe Insidernine years later, congratulating the show's staff and crew for their work.

After the departure of O'Brien, the show was hosted by Spencer alone until January 2009, whenSamantha Harris(who had previously served as a correspondent forE! News) joined the program as a permanent co-host. Harris also provided analysis and commentary as part of her duties as co-host ofABC'sDancing with the Starsuntil her departure from the reality competition series at the start of 2010.

Changes in format and hosts

During September 2009, the program converted to a panel format, featuring a roundtable discussion and debate format (similar toPardon the Interruptionor the "Hot Topics" segment ofThe View) with three permanent co-hosts and a guest host discussing entertainment topics, although that was also modified as actressNiecy Nashbecame a fourthde factohost and the program added a rotating fifth guest host slot. As a result, the on-air correspondents were effectively dismissed, with stories being compiled byEntertainment Tonightstaff or off-camera personnel.

The format was changed once again in September 2010, restoring it to a more traditional entertainment newsmagazine concept with Spencer andChris Jacobsas co-hosts. Industry analysts had surmised that the change was a precursor to testing Spencer in the traditionalETformat without placing her on that show, asEntertainment Tonight's longtime primary anchorMary Harthad announced her retirement from that program at the end of the 2010–2011 season; however,Nancy O'Dellwould be appointed to succeed Hart as co-anchor at the end of May 2011.

On March 5, 2011, CBS Television Distribution announced thatKevin Frazierwould become co-anchor of the program, replacing Jacobs, who moved toEntertainment Tonightas a correspondent for that program.Twelve days later on March 17, it was announced that Spencer would leave the program by the start of May to become the lifestyle anchor forGood Morning America.Spencer was replaced byBrooke Anderson,who had served as co-host ofHLN'sShowbiz Tonight.During the week of theWedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton,Anderson split her reporting duties between CNN andThe Insider.At the start of its seventh season on September 4, 2011, the program was refocused more as a straight entertainment news show, with many of the tabloid elements of the Spencer/O'Brien era being removed; additionally, the program's website was refocused to be more of a straight competitor toTMZ.

Partnership with Yahoo!

On October 24, 2012, CBS Television Distribution reached abrand licensingand content agreement withYahoo!to pool content between the latter's celebrity/gossip news division,omg!,andThe Insider.Through this agreement, the program was retitled asomg! Insideron January 7, 2013.On January 1, 2014, executive producer Brad Bessey announced in a video on the program'sFacebookaccountthat the show would restore its original title on January 6, while retaining all other elements. The reinstatement of the show's original title resulted from Yahoo CEOMarissa Mayer's decision to rebrand of some of Yahoo's platforms, including "omg!", which changed its name to "Yahoo Celebrity"; however, both entities continue to share stories and content with one other. The Yahoo! partnership was discontinued on September 12, 2016.

In August 2014, Kevin Frazier departedThe Insiderto become co-anchor the weekday edition ofEntertainment Tonight,on which he had previously served as a weekend anchor and correspondent from 2004 to 2011. He was replaced on September 8 of that year byLouis Aguirre,who joined the program after fifteen years as host of the similarly formattedDeco DriveonFoxaffiliateWSVNinMiami.

On June 16, 2015,The Wrapreported that special correspondentDebbie Matenopouloswould replaceThea Andrewsas co-host ofThe Insider;Matenopoulos replaced Andrews, who departed from the program, on July 6.

Cancellation

Because of declining ratings, CBS Television Distribution announced the cancellation ofThe Insiderafter 13 years on February 7, 2017. The final show aired on September 9.

Syndication model

The Insideraired on television stations in certain markets throughout the United States as half of a one-hour entertainment news block that also included the show from which it was spun off,Entertainment Tonight.

Three versions ofThe Insiderwere previously compiled and made available to broadcasters before 2009; a "standalone" version (which largely omitted references toET), and two other versions designed to precede or followETwith promotions outlining stories to be featured on that day's edition of the latter show, in addition to those stories to air on the nextInsiderbroadcast. After 2009, only a standalone version withoutETcontinuity was produced, as carriage of the program outside of primary markets was reduced to lower-tier stations and lower profile timeslots (often inlate night televisionor on a same-day or day-behind basis indaytime television), making complementary coverage between the two shows impossible.

On-air staff

Former on-air staff

• Louis Aguirre– co-anchor (2014–2017; now atWPLGin Miami)
• Brooke Anderson– anchor/correspondent (2011–2012; now atEntertainment Tonight)
• Thea Andrews– co-anchor (2013–2015)
• Matte Babel – special correspondent (2012)
• Lisa Bloom– legal analyst (2010)
• Steven Cojocaru– style expert (2004–2009; later atEntertainment Tonight)
• Kevin Frazier– co-anchor (2011–2014; now host ofEntertainment Tonight)
• Kathie Lee Gifford– correspondent (2005–2006; later atNBC Newsas co-host ofToday)
• Samantha Harris– weekend anchor/correspondent (2009–2010; later atEntertainment Tonight,now back atExtra)
• Chris Jacobs– anchor/correspondent (2009–2011; later atEntertainment Tonight)
• Darren Kavinoky– legal analyst (2009–2017)
• Keltie Knight– correspondent (2012–2017; later atEntertainment Tonight,now atE! News)
• Ananda Lewis– correspondent (2004–2005)
• Debbie Matenopoulos– special correspondent (2011–2012), co-anchor (2015–2017, later co-host ofHome & FamilyonHallmark Channel)
• Jill Martin – correspondent (2010–2011; later atAccess Hollywood)
• Niecy Nash– celebrity panelist (2009–2010)
• Pat O'Brien– anchor/correspondent (2004–2008)
• Donny Osmond– correspondent (2007–2008; also hosted in place of O'Brien for a short time in 2008)
• Nina Parker– correspondent (2011–2014, later atE! News)
• Victoria Recano– weekend anchor/correspondent (2004–2009; later atKTLAin Los Angeles andTV Guide Network;now back atInside Edition)
• Thomas Roberts– correspondent (2007–2008; later atNBC News,MSNBC,WGCL-TVin Atlanta and host ofDaily Mail TV)
• Lara Spencer– anchor/correspondent (2004–2011; now atGood Morning America)
• Cheryl Woodcock– correspondent (2007–2009)
• Michael Yo– correspondent/fill-in co-anchor (2013–2017)

International carriage

Outside of the United States,The Insideraired onBig CBS Lovein India,ETCin thePhilippines,andMBC 4in theMiddle East and North AfricaafterEntertainment Tonight.

In Australia,Network Tenhad airedThe Insidera day behind the U.S. broadcast alongside sister programEntertainment Tonighton weekday mornings, with a rebroadcast airing on sister network10 Peachafter midnight; Ten and Eleven removed the show from their schedules on November 1, 2013. The program also formerly aired on theFoxtelownedpay televisionchannelArena,and in Canada onHamilton, OntariobasedCHCH.

An Arabic adaptation titledTHE INSIDER بالعربيbegan airing onDubai TVat 12 November 2017.

Arabic adaptation

An Arabic adaptation titledThe Insider Bel Arabi– TheInsiderAR (Arabic version of The Insider (TV series) بالعربي The Insider, began airing onDubai TVin November 2017.

International versions

The international rights are distributed by CBS Studios International.

Country/language	Local title	Channel	Date aired/premiered
Arab World	The Insider Arabia(The Insider بالعربي – بالعربي The Insider – The Insider Bil Arabi – The Insider بالعربي TheInsiderAR The Insider Arabia – The Insider Arabia – The Insider بالعربي – Inside Take The Inside Take)	Abu Dhabi TV. Dubai TV.	November 12, 2017

External links

• The InsideratIMDb