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

[Lorenzo]

Sherri is a perfect match,and also pretty and funny. they have finally got it right.

[Lisa]

Love you Woopi!!!! i have enjoyed you in all your movies and your comedy shows. I have the upmost respect for you. I think you are a wonderful entertainter and a good person. No one ever hears anything bad about you..so unlike some they keep shoving down our throats in stories. It's so refreshing to see you in the news. I stopped watching The View when Rosie left. It was refreshing to see some stir up some at times and not afraid to speak up. Something tells me that there will never be a dull minute if you join it. I'd even start back to watching it if you are there. I wish you the best life has to offer Whoopi. You have given me so many smiles and laughs in life. And even a few cries in some of your more serious roles. Thank you!

[iv]

Can't believe those in charge are concerned about diversity--where's the Asian or Hispanic representation? One other moderate or conservative voice would be fair....iv

[Bonnie]

I am amazed at all the "Hate Monger" comments being made by so many people here. Geez, Simply don't watch if you find Whoopi or Rosie or whomever so offensive... I for one welcome and support diversity!!! Rosie is sorely missed... Whoopi is no Rosie... Kathy Griffin would have been delightful... But, you will never make everyone happy.... Save the HATE comments for your own private and personal journals... We don't need to put anymore hatred out into the universe.. We have too much of it already... Let's demonstrate more TOLERANCE!!!

[LETICIA]

Revenge is a wonderful thing......it's great to have Whoopi.....watch out Elizabeth......another one of your emotional outbursts and you'll be getting slam dunked.

[Loyal View Viewer]

The View with Liberal, Moderate, & Conservative Views = A Better Show!
I am ecstatic about Sherri Shepherd possibly joining the View, she is far and away the best candidate! She's not "too" famous and she fits in great with the 3 current co-hosts. Here's how I see the show going in the fall: Joy will continue her anti-President, anti-Republican rants. Barbara will sometimes support Joy but not when she just makes some unsubstantiated comment she read somewhere on a blog. Whoopi Goldberg, clearly a liberal, but one who's willing to debate with Bill O'Reilly on Fox News Channel is also a good choice for the show. Her ideologies are at least substantiated with good arguments and logical debate. In short, Goldberg is a liberal but not "crazy or ranting," like Joy is and Rosie was. Sherri Shepherd is religious, sometimes even conservative in her views-sorry liberals! Her views expressed on the show have often been moderate and she is willing to see both sides of some issues - this is another great reason for her to be added to show! Elisabeth is sometimes supported by the "unwilling to take a stand" Barbara. I also believe once in a while even a "voice of reason" Goldberg will take Hasselbeck's side. Sherri will also speak her own mind and be supported by Hasselback and vice versa. If anything, Season 11 of The View may very well improve its ratings! The new additions of Goldberg & Shepherd will make the show much better because it will actually be a mix of "Views" instead of Rosie O'Donell's daily hour of "free giveaways will make people like me" and "let's see who I can get into a celebrity feud with this week" anti-Conservative, sometimes even anti-American, pulpit. Kudos to ABC for not going out and hiring another "all about me" narcissist like Roseanne Barr or Rosie O’Donnell!

[sheikwil]

I think they will be a much need addition to this pitiful show. They should have kept Rosie and got rid of Elizabeth with her stupid A$$.

[steel4ever]

If I recall correctly, Whoopie refused to align herself with conservative or liberal ideologies during one View visit. Her comments are astute and her conversation intelligent.
I love hearing Bush supporters spouting off about morality, as if imaking a decision to attack a non-threatening country, resulting in the death and injuriny of thousands of American solders and innocent Iraqi citizens could possibly be construed as moral.
One of the saddest thngs about the previoius postings is the obvious divisiveness prevalent in our county, yet another detrimental result of our Fearless Leader's policies.

[Cindy]

I sure hope it is Sherri. She would be such an asset. Tons of humor. Maybe with her and Whoopi EH will take a permanent leave. I agree with the previous person, The View should of kept Rosie and ousted EH. I can not stand the constant whiny voice and she talks so fast. Very controlling. I used to watch everyday but since Ro gone I only tune in when Sherri is on. Listen to the Views and then flick off.

[Dee Dunton]

Love Whoppie, but still not watch again until Elizabeth is off the show, she adds nothing to help the other intelligent ladies. It is obvious she isn't very educated or just plain dumb. Mr. Trump is right!!

[joanie]

great choices--wasnt much of a view watcher but now i definetly will be viewing the view!

[Miami Mom]

Whoppi herself has said she doesn't like the term African American and has said on TV that her family is from Europe.....

[Penny]

I stopped watching the View long before Rosie left. It was an insult to my intelligence. I don't miss it.

[ladd]

I'm a male spending time as a caretaker with my mother with cancer and we watch the view together. It really saddens me to see all the hate by all the women and the racisms shown in the messages. I was raised to believe is the fairness and love of women, but time has change that.
The sad thing is the show is unbalanced with only one view represented. I like Sherri for her open and honest view. The love and goodness that was once found in mothers and women has left. We must pray for the world.

[Maggie]

Whoopie (aside from her one woman show) has nothing to say, nothing to add, is not watch-able, and folks is NOT a left-wing liberal. Basically, she is lame, inane and will add nothing to the sinking-ship show.
Ms. Sheppard is a half-brained nit-wit who thinks the world is still flat. Wonder what new novel ideas she will add to the show?
Hey Jerry Springer fans, there's a new show for you. It's called The New View.

[Sammy]

To Bonnie: While I appreciate your compassione, "more tolerance" is NOT what we need. Our problem is that we tolerate too much, which is why blogs, and hate within blogs is so prevelant. People are frustrated and need an outlet, thus misdirected anger, and blogs.

[goldie]

Even though Rosie upset me pretty often when she was on the View, she sure kept me watching. When she left the show bored me to tears except when Whoopie would co host. I find Whoopie entertaining, smart, thoughtful, well rounded, etc. I think she will be a great addition to the show, and I hope that I will still be entertained and enliightened when I have the time to watch.

[Ocean]

ABC Needs to Fire Whoopi Immediately !!! It seems everyone has conveniently forgotten that several years ago Whoopi Goldberg totally TRASHED the National Anthem on an HBO special by inserting profanities (like M_____F____) nearly every other word throughout the song. In my opinion, this was a million times more offensive than what Don Imus did. ABC needs look into this and after reviewing the HBO Special for themselves, they need to immediately fire Whoopi from her new position on The View. Honestly, I don’t think ABC has enough courage to do so.

[Rebecca Allen]

I spent an hour over coffee, watching the view and reading these posts only to come to the conclusion (one which I have already learned) that 75% of american's are closed minded, self consumed individuals. Anyone with any quality life experience knows when you get 4 people together you get 4 different views! The view is a comical, thought provoking debate - nothing more! I seriously doubt that anything any of the past or present hosts say have any ability to change the world. Otherwise they would be in politics, not entertainment. What they can do is entertain us for 1 hour a day as they leave us with the thoughts of a different VIEW! Often, I think about remarks that are made and try to see where someone of that persona would get that VIEW, and on the contrary how someone else with a different persona would have a completely different view! I believe it's a show that at the most encourages society to look beyond their self and show compassion for their neighbor who has a completely different view and through that compassion, we learn respect! Which I have seen very little here! How can you live in a country where Freedom of Speech is a birth write but have no respect for people who execute that right! I try to find something I admire in each of the hosts, there are plenty of things I don't necessary agree with or gravitate to in Elizabeth but I still respect her position and her right to an opinion! I don't necessary find Joy humorous yet I admire that many others may. Barbara is a great interviewer and that's about all she has going for herself but she is the person who holds the show together. Rosie, is definately too opinionated but if everyone in the world stood up for what they believed in like Rosie we wouldn't have near the stupid kids we have in society! If you watch it FINE! If you don't FINE! But the last thing the world needs is people who watch it yet sit up and crybaby about how THEY could make it better! Start with yourself and make yourself better by trying not to be so closed minded, hateful, inconsiderate and STUPID! I think the correct term to most posters here is MARTYR.

[ccc]

They better get someone on the view with the intelligence to know know how to keep things calm and keep peace between the women.