The New Season: Will Whoopi and Sherri bring us a whole new 'View'?

After a tumultuous season that saw the abrupt exit of Rosie O’Donnell, ABC’s daytime chatfest “The View” is moving to bring on two new outspoken co-hosts: comic Whoopi Goldberg and performer Sherri Shepherd.

Final negotiations with the duo are underway, and an announcement of their hiring is expected next week, according to a person familiar with the discussions.

ABC declined to comment. “We have nothing to announce right now,” said spokesman Karl Nilsson.

Goldberg, the irreverent comedian and Oscar-winning actress, and Shepherd, a stand-up comic who has appeared in movies like “Beauty Shop,” would bring a strong dose of brash humor to the 10-year-old program, which was buoyed by O’Donnell’s presence last season.

But after O'Donnell boosted viewership with her blunt political remarks, her tenure came to an abrupt halt in May when she had a bitter on-air fight with co-host Elisabeth Hasselbeck. O'Donnell exited the program nearly a month before the end of her contract.

That left “The View” with two empty seats -- former co-host Star Jones Reynolds was never permanently replaced after her own rancorous exit in 2006 -- and threatened to stall the show’s ratings gains.

With just Hasselbeck, Joy Behar and Barbara Walters remaining on the all-female panel, executive producer Bill Geddie indicated that he was looking to add at least one African American voice.

"We have, really, two positions open, I think people forget," Geddie said in June. "We got a lot of hiring to do here. So the chances of us hiring two white women ... not very likely.”

Goldberg and Shepherd are both familiar to the “View” audience after having made numerous guest appearances on the program.

O’Donnell was rooting for Goldberg as her replacement, telling readers of her blog this spring that her fellow comic “would rock.”

Known for her acerbic sense of humor, the 51-year-old has had a long career in television, beginning with HBO’s “Comic Relief,” which helped launch a prolific career. Since then, she’s done stints on shows like “Star Trek: The Next Generation,” appeared in numerous TV movies and headlined the short-lived sitcom “Whoopi.”

After spending six years writing and producing Lifetime’s “Strong Medicine,” Goldberg has most recently been hosting a syndicated morning radio show called “Wake Up With Whoopi.”

"She is exactly what the show needs,” said Hollywood publicist Howard Bragman. “She is a beloved brand name; she is outspoken; she has done this before, she is a person of color; she is as far left as Rosie; she lives in New York; and she can kick Elizabeth Hasselbeck’s ass."

Shepherd, 40, has appeared in shows like “The Wedding Bells” and “Less Than Perfect.” Her latest movie, “Who’s Your Caddy,” opens Friday.

-- Matea Gold

Times staff writer Lynn Smith contributed to this report.

Comments

[Marsha]

Concerning "The View"-the most racist remarks I have ever heard are those by the producer! We need an African-American voice!? In our United States, it doesn't matter what color you are. But of course, the "tolerant" left looks at everything by color. We have to have so many blacks, so many whites, so many Asians, etc. I'm sure Dr. King would be very disappointed as he was preaching for equality, not quotas! In addition, the show already has Joy, Barbara and now Whoopie-3 huge leftists against Elizabeth! Not knowing Shepherd, but being surprised if she is moderate, once again we have Hollywood's "view"-hate George Bush and all Conservatives. No wonder no one watches The View anymore!

[Brian]

From one brainless pig to another, can you say desperate!

[Cris]

Great!!!!I love Whoopi,she's funny and smart .Congrats!!!Cris

[Henri Ayre]

I'm confused! The major TV chains are losing viewers every week. Yet when a show comes along that suddenly is popular, that show is often axed on the basis of its content. Does ABC really think this proposed lineup can replace Rosie O'Donnell? I don't. The problem seems to be that the really good TV personalities are intelligent, thus are somewhat independent-minded. Sooner or later they get into a subject where some intelligence is needed, they express themselves intelligently... and they lose their jobs. Don Imus is another example. The TV chains are taking multi-million dollar losses by their interference with their own shows. Why do they do it? Shouldn't they have their eyes on their own bottom lines and not on the lines of their performers? Just askin'.

[E. Litz]

Whoopi "I had six abortions" Goldberg to be on The View? Just a black Rosie O'Donnell. What a disgusting human being! ABC is going out of their way to keep controversy brewing. It won't be long before her foul mouth causes time delay "bleeps". I won't watch it even out of curiousity. Can't give creedence to a low life like that pig!

[Dee]

I quit watching The View when they brought Rosie on and I will continue to not watch after hearing on Drudge that they are bringing on Whoopi. They continue to go from bad to bad. A real empty show with no redeaming qualities, I think BW has a loser of a show on her hands. Cancel The View!!!

[Oh Brother]

Puke

[David]

Personally, I am very glad Whoopi may replace Rosie. When I first heard Rosie was being evicted from the View, I emailed ABC with just that recommendation. However, as a Reagan Democrat, I find fault in labeling Whoopi as "as far left as Rosie". I have listen to several interviews Whoopi has had with so called "right-wing" hosts, and I have always found her to be an intelligent woman with core values. She thinks. She cares. She displays humor. She is not a bully. Whoopi is the Anti-Rosie. Whoopi uses her humor to provoke thought. Rosie uses her tongue to injure. There is no "hate speech" in Whoopi.

What do I have to say about Ms Glodberg replacing Rosie on the View? "Whoopi!"

[Jake]

That is what we need. Another far left liberal scum bag blathering all over the air waves denigrating America and Americans. I for one hopes that Hasselbeck cleans her plow. But you know what will happen. If Hasselbeck gets in one good shot, the network, whoopie and the rest of the leftists will play the race card. Bah-humbug.

[Mary Young]

Good grief!!! Whoopi is another Rosie with black skin. I do not think it is a good idea and doubt if I will watch anymore. Sheri is ok.

[Jo]

Once again, Hollywood shows it's stripes. They root for Congress to get the Fairness doctrine for talk radio on one hand, while on the other inundating us with the liberal slant and leaving Elizabeth out to dry. Why not bring in some true cerebrals with someone like Meredith Viera there to moderate? Why? Because it's not controversial, and they don't believe that 40% of America who believe in conservative values matters. I will not be tuning in because I'm sick of the "he sucks" and "they suck" messages. I want to hear what is RIGHT with America. I'm sick and tired of these self-absorbed, self-important, divas who think they know it all and speak for us all. Time to go back to reading a paper and learning what's REALLY going on.

[kathryn]

Whoopi will add a less agenda ridden view...unlike O'Donnell who is more aligned with her feminist/lesbian views then anyone I know coming out of Hollyweird...

[joan]

so the purpose of bring Whoopi is to "kick Elisabeth Hasselbeck's ass"? How pathetic a comment is that! Should the View fire Elisabeth and hire Anne Coulter to "kick Whoopi's ass?" How ridiculous that would be as well. Get the point Mr. Bragman?

[Rob]

LMAO @ "beloved brand name."
But seriously, is the objective to have the ugliest women in the history of mankind on some kind of a rotating basis?

[Bevo]

Howard Bragman is a fool. Although Whoopi is left wing, she is a very calm, rational debator. She won't get into it with Hasselbeck. I'm a right winger & admire Whoopi. She admits when she's wrong & tries to find middle ground with those on the right. Rosie O'Donnell does nothing of the sort. Bye Rosie, helloooooo Whoopie!

Great addition to the show.

Bevo

[Sally]

I like Whoopie, but am disappointed that your are loading the View with all Left Wingers! Poor Elizabeth, she is too gentle, and no match for the rest of the ladies. They will eat her up! If I were Elizabeth, after the baby is born, I wouldn't return to the View!

It seems Hollywood, TV and the press are loaded with Democrats who lean to the left..... there are no more morals.... anything goes! Take me back to the time when "respect" was the way of life.

[Tony Conde]

What the heck? Have Barbara Walters and Bill Geddie forgotten that the Latino community is the largest minority community in the US, which is almost entirely ignored by the national TV networks? They need to realize that adding two African-American women adds some diversity, but not a whole lot.

[Norma J. Rendina]

It is a relief to know that someone like Whoopi Goldberg will be featured on The View. I had never paid too much attention to the show until I happened to catch a segment and Rosie O'Donnell was speaking. I heard enough to pique my interest and curiosity and was a fan of the show from that time on.
Joy Behar is an asset to the show and I enjoy her comments very much.

When Rosie had her famous altercation with Elizabeth, it caused quite an uproar and finally led to Rosie's leaving the show. I was very sorry to see her go and even her challenging counterpart, Donald Trump, agreed with some of her views!

I wish Rosie success in her future endeavors - and Welcome to Whoopi - who is another candid, interesting persona.

[Up]

Interesting that Howard Bragman FORGOT to mention that his former PR firm represented Whoopi.....

[gabriel fraley]

Only time will tell if that addition of Whoopi is a great thing. Let's just wait and let it play out!

But to speak to the few people who've made comments about 'poor elizabeth' and 'conservative morals' and all that blather.

Elizabeth and Neocons are fair game. The way i see it there are very few 'morals' involved with this type of person. They don't admit their faults and support a very corrupt group of politicians who are completely lacking in morals and ethics. So they and the people who support them are fair game for the pickings.

I'm enjoying this showdown. But hopefully it'll be done with humor!

[esb]

Who cares about what any of these women have to say???

[R.M.Mazzone]

THE VIEW I started watching again when UGH< R.O'Donnell left the show just when I was starting to enjoy it, I hear that Whoppee Goldberg is replacing her identical character R.O;Donnell ........... SURELY YOU JEST !!!!
I go back to not watching it again !,,,,,,,,,Mazroro

[Alex]

I like how the ignorant back woods right comes out and shows their true colors.

"whoppi is rosie with black skin" What the hell is that supposed to mean are you saying those are the strikes against her? Yeah real mature.

And "no wonder nobody is watching the view anymore" dont be so stupid ratings dont lie.

Whooppi is her own woman and has been for some time. Most of you dont have a clue of what your spouting off about but then again, a conservative never does.

And I love how a bunch of dudes are clucking about the view as if they watch.

[yvonne p. rivera]

good for whoopi. hope she won't lose this assignment for speaking out against this present idiotic nation dividing regime. way to go!!!!!

[dee from Toronto]

I have not enjoyed the view since Elizabeth joined. She was not my choice when the co-host search was on. I can not believe that an artist can be so narrow minded.
I did not like how Starr was treated by BW. It is okay not to have a contract renewed but removing her immediately was a disappointment. Her knowledge of law was informative and raised the intelligence of The View.
I wish Joy would be an Italian and a New Yorker. I have heard enough about Nazi this Nazi that she has never talked about Mussolini's activities. I do enjoy Joy's humour and intelligence.
Rosie was just trying to get people to wake up to the crime of war by George Bush. Where are the protesters of this war? Has CNN put people in a coma?
Whoopi will be a great addition to the show.
I like Sherri however I would like a co-host from the Latin community.
I would rather see less of BW on the show as she is only there to mother Elizabeth.

A view for 9 years....