Despite a Slow Start, S.E. Cupp is ‘Psyched’ About Her New HLN Program

By A.J. Katz 

S.E. Cupp‘s new HLN show, Unfiltered, has gotten off to a slow start in the ratings department but the veteran cable news commentator still has big plans to make it HLN’s next big show.

“We’re super psyched about this show,” said Cupp during a lunch with media reporters Wednesday. “We’re just having so much fun right now, and I hope that comes across.”

Unfiltered debuted in the network’s 7 p.m. time slot last month replacing re-airs of the network’s popular Forensic Files which still fills several hours of HLN’s programming day. The show is averaging around 30,000 A25-54 viewers.

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Cupp, formerly a conservative commentator for CNN, was joined by former Fox Newser Andy Levy.

“We were very lucky to snatch Andy from Fox when his truly wonderful show Red Eye was canceled,” Cupp said. “I snagged him. Andy and I have known each other for a long time, and Fox kept him in their dark, weird basement for too long. So we are just thrilled that we are able to expose him to the rest of the world.”

In addition to Cupp and Levy, other lunch attendees included CNN evp and HLN chief Ken Jautz, HLN’s svp of programming Keith Brown, and Unfiltered executive producer Conway Cliff.

CNN worldwide president Jeff Zucker made a brief appearance at the venue but departed before the lunch began.

The event was held at the New York restaurant Hunt and Fish Club, which is majority owned by former White House communications director Anthony Scaramucci.

“S.E. told us months ago she loves to hunt and fish, so we felt like this was a perfect venue,” a network spokesperson told us. “Didn’t have anything to do with Scaramucci.”

Scaramucci has a controversial relationship with CNN so the decision to host the lunch there raised some eyebrows.

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