LISA RINNA HAPPILY CALLED TO THE (RED) CARPET FOR EMMYS.

Byline: GREG HERNANDEZ

>LA.COM 

Lisa Rinna may be hosting TV Guide Channel's pre-Emmy show, but she wants to make one thing very clear: Don't expect her to be like Joan Rivers.

"No one can touch Joan Rivers -- a comedic genius -- and I won't even try," Rinna says. "There is only one Joan Rivers, and she created this whole format."

Rinna and former 'N Sync member Joey Fatone are replacing the comedian and her daughter, Melissa, on the red carpet for the Emmys and other major awards shows, including the Academy Awards and Golden Globes.

The Rivers team was best known for ripping the fashion choices of some of the stars to shreds, sometimes barely behind their backs.

Rinna is planning a kinder, gentler approach.

"I'm not going to judge anyone for what they wear," she says. "But I'm excited about fashion, I love fashion."

It was her love of fashion that got Rinna into the whole red-carpet scene in the first place when she reported for "Access Hollywood" at the 2006 Golden Globe Awards.

"It all happened at the very last minute, and it went so well, they invited me to do the Oscars and Emmys," says Rinna who was dubbed "Fashionista Lisa" for those stints. "So it's not so scary going into this as if I'd never done it. I feel more comfortable."

Both she and Fatone are alumni of ABC's "Dancing With the Stars," and Fatone now hosts NBC's "The Singing Bee."

"I think he's so funny and so great," she says. "We had so much fun at the photo shoot. I think we'll bring a different kind of energy to this gig, and I really look forward to it."

The pair have already been seen on a promo that has Rinna, known for her oversize lips, blowing a kiss for the camera. Fatone, walking next to her, also blows a kiss and reveals a fake pair of giant lips. Rinna then gives him the elbow.

Those lips have been getting attention ever since Rinna made her name on the soap "Days of Our Lives," then on "Melrose Place." She most recently appeared in the Broadway production of "Chicago," with hubby Harry Hamlin. But her time seems evenly split between acting roles and just being herself, as she was for four years on the now-defunct talk show "Soap Talk."

"I like doing both, and it's been great to go back and forth and do different things," she says. " 'Soap Talk' was really great training in talking to people."

TV Guide Network's Emmy coverage

Countdown to the Emmy Awards With Joey Fatone, 3 p.m. today.

Live at the Emmy Awards With Lisa Rinna and Joey Fatone, 6 p.m. today.

Emmy Awards Fashion Wrap With Lisa Rinna, 8 p.m. Monday.

Greg Hernandez, [phone]

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59TH PRIMETIME EMMY AWARDS

>What: Hosted by "American Idol" host and radio personality Ryan Seacrest with stars of "The Office," "Entourage," "Heroes" and more as presenters. No word at press time as to whether "Saturday Night Live's" "Dick in a Box" music video, which won for outstanding original music and lyrics at the Creative Arts presentation, will be deemed ready for prime time.

>Where: Fox (Channel 11).

>When: 8 tonight (tape-delayed).