TCA Press Tour: ‘Giuliana & Bill’ not afraid of the newlywed reality show curse

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Another reality show about newlyweds? Don’t most end in divorce?

Reporters at the panel for “Giuliana & Bill” wanted to know: Why do it? Especially given that the Style network show follows the long-distance married life of E! News anchor Giuliana Rancic and the Season 1 “The Apprentice” winner Bill Rancic. She lives in L.A. and he lives in Chicago. The two met when she interviewed him after his win.

“We thought about it, definitely,” Bill said. “There is that reality show curse, but this is different.” How? “It makes being married cool. There is no flipping tables or cursing at each other. It‘s very positive.”

With respect, one reporter piped up, the stars of those previous shows came to press tour happy and in love, too. And the next thing you know, their break-ups were plastered all over the tabloids.

Giuliana said watching the first episode was tough. But, she countered, “I make a living getting personal things out of celebrities. … If I can’t do the same thing, I’d be a hypocrite.”

The drama of “Giuliani & Bill” will also be, well, pretty mundane. The couple said episodes will focus on the everyday stresses and strains on the recently married: moving into a house, starting a family and, in their case, commuting cross-country.

And those other reality show couples? “My theory is that these shows accelerate the break-up,” Giuliana said. “Those couples would have broken up anyway.”

In contrast, she said being on the show has improved their relationship.

“When something private is exposed or we get emotional, we make sure to talk about it,” she said. “If you are strong enough as a couple it can actually be a good thing. I think I know Bill better now [because] we’re forced to learn a lot about the way you deal with issues.”

Giuliana said she also realized how “annoying” she could be on camera.

“I’m like the most annoying person!” she said. “If I didn’t have the show, I’d have never known. Now I apologize to my family for being annoying.”

‘Giuliana & Bill’ premieres Aug. 5.

-- Denise Martin