“People say to me ‘when did you guys know it was going to be a success?’ and my answer is quite simple––it was from the first day we had the idea [for Entertainment Television].” 

By: Melina Costello

As someone with so much confidence, it may come as a surprise that Larry Namer worked his way up from being an assistant splicer in the sewers of New York to becoming the Co-Founder of the most influential media source in pop culture––E! Entertainment. 

“I don’t make TV, I make stories,” the media mogul says in the interview.

Despite E!’s reputation for televising gossip, Larry Namer has held onto his humanitarian roots. He is passionate about utilizing technology to broaden the scope of stories told, curious about cultural complexities and how to accurately incorporate them into films and television, and aware of the importance of addressing social issues and improving education efforts.

In the season three premiere of Unsugarcoated with Aalia, Namer expresses to host Aalia Lanius his excitement about the new possibilities in media as technology expands the amount of voices able to be heard. Namer was particularly excited to come on this podcast because its message aligns with his belief that “diversity, inclusion and empowerment [are] not just moral responsibilities that everyone should live by but also that they are good business.” 

Additionally, he is a believer in the fact that “Hollywood is a state of mind,” and his passion for all forms of story-telling encourages viewers to embark on their own creative journeys. For anyone searching for that push, Namer is ready to give one. 

Namer also comments on the changes in the film industry amidst Coronavirus, and it is clear that he was ready for change the day E! was born and is ready for change now: “Is it going to be different? Yes. Is it going to be better or worse? No. It’s just going to be different.” 

To hear more from Larry Namer, check out the full below of Episode 17 on Unsugarcoated with Aalia!

Watch here on YouTube