Erspamer firing latest trouble at OWN

The dismissal of longtime The famous host the famous host oprah Winfrey confidant and OWN professional V . p . Lisa Erspamer means the cabler continues to have not found its mojo and corporate owner Discovery might be losing persistence. Erspamer, who had previously been by Winfrey's side for 18 years but did not have network experience, was fired because OWN has fell greatly missing anticipation if the was launched this past year. Although thought fans of "The The famous host the famous host oprah Winfrey Show" would instantly follow her brand to own, that basically is not the problem. In May 2011, the professional shuffle began when Boss Christina Norman was release and transformed by Peter Liguori. Erspamer's niche was along with her associations with stars, nurtured while she was on "The famous host the famous host oprah." She turned up an entire year just before the network debut and was instrumental to obtain reality skeins "The Judds" and "Why Not? With Shania Twain" round the air. Yet, connected with pension transfer series on OWN, the 2 not successful to ignite. Parent company Discovery has ponied up $300 million up to now, with little return on its investment, as well as the Maryland-based conglom may be making personnel options with elevated authority than previously. Altering Erspamer by having an interim basis is Discovery vet Rita Mullin, who's senior V . p . of content way of Discovery Fit & Health insurance continues because role. She also carried out most in many TLC hits, including "Jon and Kate Plus 8," and there's hope that they'll steady the ship at OWN just before the web finds an enduring alternative. Presently within the organization just like a consultant is former network chief Suzanne Daniels, who went the WB and Lifetime. It's unclear whether Daniels may wish to consider coping with greater responsibilities at OWN. Winfrey, who designated many of the duty if the found beginning OWN, has become more hands-on in recent several days which is coping with presidents Erik Logan and Sheri Salata to discover a winning combination of programs. One of the handful of vibrant spots remains "Oprah's Next Chapter," that's away and off to an effective start with an average 924,000 audiences tuning in each and every week. And there's also docuseries "Thank you for going to Sweetie Pie's," in regards to the goings-on inside a St. Louis restaurant. Missing the aim, however, might be as well as greater profile "The Rosie Show," with Rosie O'Donnell. The talkshow is calculating only 200,000 per episode. This Year's week "Rachael Ray" vet Shane Farley was hired to switch Page Hurwitz as professional producer. Contact Stuart Levine at stuart.levine@variety.com