The campaign calling for women to be asked serious questions on the red carpet is misguided, says Fashion Police co-host Melissa River.
The daughter of well-known comedian Joan Rivers took over her mother's role on the E! series in August last year following her death in 2014.
TV Personality Melissa Rivers poses at the Mumm Marquee on Melbourne Cup Day at Flemington Racecourse on November 3, 2015. Photo: Luis Ascui
The well-known program critiques celebrity fashion and has been plagued since River's death by co-host infighting and claims of racism.
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In an interview with News Corp this week, Rivers commented on the #AskHerMore campaign and said events such as the Oscars were "not the appropriate place" to quiz female actors and directors on serious global affairs.
"I know there's this whole movement, like 'ask her something serious' but it's not the appropriate place for it," the 48-year-old said.
Melissa Rivers on E!'s Fashion Police.
"I'm not going to ask you about your feelings on world hunger when in the 30 seconds I have with you on the red carpet, you also have to say who you're wearing, who is paying you to wear it and get your plug out for your film."
The comments come ahead of the 2016 Academy Awards on Monday.
The #AskHerMore campaign was launched in February 2014 by organisation The Representation Project which sought to fix the disparity between the questions male and female celebrities are asked on the red carpet.
Reese Witherspoon praised #AskHerMore in 2015.
Actress such as Lena Dunham and Reese Witherspoon have since voiced their support for the movement.
But Rivers said the red carpet "is not a place for depth".
"We're all there honouring each other, so let's not get crazy."
When quizzed on the controversy surrounding Fashion Police, Rivers described it as harmless light entertainment.
"I think finally everybody has taken a little bit of a deep breath and remembers it's fun."