Heidi Montag to co-host 'The View' on Oct. 1

Add "The Hills" star Heidi Montag to the roster of guest hosts filling in for Elisabeth Hasselbeck on "The View." Hasselbeck is out on maternity leave. 

Montag will sub in on Oct. 1 -- and we're expecting fireworks. 

Last time Montag and her husband, reality TV villain Spencer Pratt, visited the ladies, it wasn't pretty. (Check out the clip above to help jog your memory.) At one point, Whoopi Goldberg told the fame-seeking couple, "You better get yourselves together or you're going to be in the street.

"You're too old now. Last year it was cute. Now you're adults," she said.

In recent weeks, Meghan McCain, Kate Gosselin, La Toya Jackson and Alexandra Wentworth have stood in for Hasselbeck. Still to come are Melissa Gilbert (Sept. 28), Gloria Estefan (Sept. 29), Lisa Ling (Oct. 5-6), Ana Ortiz (Oct. 8), Kaley Cuoco (Oct. 13) and Kara DioGuardi (Oct. 15).

-- Denise Martin

'View's' Barbara Walters still a hot topic

Fresh from her post-Oscars show lap dance with Hugh Jackman, the TV host is excited about 'The View's' West Coast layover.

As readers of this section probably already know, Barbara Walters and her cohorts from ABC's "The View" are coming to the Walt Disney lot to do a week's worth of shows starting today. This column spoke with Walters by phone last week and is pleased to report that she's a great interview. (Are you surprised?)

We'll get to her answers in just a minute, but first -- er, we're still having trouble getting over that Hugh Jackman lap dance. Help us, Barbara!

In case you were recently plucked from a mine shaft, at the close of her recent post- Oscars special, the legendary broadcaster got a personal (albeit fully clothed) lap dance from Jackman, the host of this year's Academy Awards. We're pretty confident it was fantastic TV but can't say for sure because when Jackman started shaking his moneymaker, sending Walters into squeals of surprise and delight, we passed out.

Read the full story.

WORK: Barbara Walters, 79, enjoys “View” schedule. "The View" co-hosts, from left, Joy Behar, Walters, Whoopi Goldberg, Elisaebeth Hasselbeck and Sherri Shepherd. Photo credit: ABC

Checking out 'The View' from L.A.

For the first time in four years, ABC's "The View" is headed for Los Angeles.

The morning talk show -- with co-hosts Barbara Walters, Whoopi Goldberg, Joy Behar, Elisabeth Hasselbeck and Sherri Shepherd -- will broadcast from the Disney lot in Burbank the week of March 9, with three live shows and two taped for airings later that week, the network said. Scheduled guests include Miley Cyrus, Sally Field, Jimmy Kimmel, Eva Longoria Parker and Jay Leno. (For ticket information, go to abc.com.)

Executive producer Bill Geddie -- known to fans as "the Viewmaster" -- said coming west offers a chance to "revitalize" the show and also tap the Hollywood talent pool. The show last visited Los Angeles in 2005 at Hollywood's El Capitan Theatre.

"There are certain people that just never come out" to New York, Geddie said in a phone interview Friday while moving into his new Manhattan apartment, not far from "The View's" home studio. "Like Jay Leno. He doesn't get to New York very much. Kimmel doesn't come here much." Kimmel, in fact, has never appeared on "The View" before, Geddie said.

'The View': Rosie O'Donnell's (sort of) mea culpa to Barbara Walters

Rosie O'Donnell was on NBC's "Today" show this morning to promote "Rosie Live," her new variety show on the network. And what began as a straightforward interview between the comedian and "Today" co-host Meredith Vieira ended up adding another twist in the seemingly endless saga between O'Donnell and her former friend/mentor/"View" boss Barbara Walters.

To recap last week's events: During a conference call with reporters Wednesday, O'Donnell said that Walters wants to pretend that all of the "View" ladies get along. O'Donnell's remarks -- in part, she said  "there was not a lot of camaraderie off camera" -- prompted an on-air response from Walters the next day. While Walters did not specify O'Donnell by name during the show's Hot Topics segment, she called out "some people who have done this show and then for years feel like they have to dump on it maybe for their own publicity." She then addressed that person as a "lady," saying that it "hurts" her and she "resents it." Later that day, O'Donnell created a video post on her blog entitled "Lady," which showed her watching Walters' indictment of her.

Got that?

Which brings us to today on "Today." Vieira replayed the Walters segment. "Oh no, we have to watch it?" O'Donnell said. She then said the words "publicity" and "lady" along with Walters on the tape.

Rosie O'Donnell skewers Barbara Walters on her blog

Well, that didn’t take long! Rosie O’Donnell has already replied to the suggestive comments Barbara Walters made on “The View” this morning in a hilarious video on her blog.

Here’s the back story: On Wednesday, O’Donnell told reporters that her former co-host on “The View,” Barbara Walters, “wanted everyone to believe and think and act as if [the women on ‘The View’] get along and are really good friends and happy and hang out together, and, you know, that’s just not the reality."

Then, this morning, on “The View,” Walters responded, saying, “There are some people who have done this show and then for years feel like they have to dump on it, maybe for their own publicity. And that not only hurts me, but I resent it, so if the shoe fits, lady, get on, ladies, get on with your lives. We are not perfect, we are not always happy, but we’re pretty good.”

Instead of responding in her usual cryptic haiku form, O’Donnell got all multimedia on us, making a video of herself innocently watching “The View” this morning. It’s a must watch.

Get comfy, folks. This feud is just getting warmed up.

— Stephanie Lysaght

Photo credit: Associated Press (O'Donnell), Los Angeles Times (Walters)

Ladies of 'The View' fire back at Rosie O’Donnell

The ever-controversial Rosie O’Donnell made headlines again yesterday, when she told reporters that "The View" co-host Barbara Walters, “wanted everyone to believe and think and act as if [the women on ‘The View’] get along and are really good friends and happy and hang out together, and, you know, that’s just not the reality.

“I’m not saying they loathe each other, but the fact of the matter is, there was not a lot of camaraderie off camera.”

In response to O’Donnell’s allegations, Walters had some very pointed words on “The View” today.

“We’re very proud of some of our alumna,” mused Walters. “Meredith Viera, who, ya know, has gone on and has this wonderful job, and Lisa Ling. We take delight in people who have gone on.” 

“But there are some people who have done this show and then for years feel like they have to dump on it maybe for their own publicity,” continued Walters. “And that not only hurts me, but I resent it, so if the shoe fits, lady, get on, ladies, get on with your lives. We are not perfect, we are not always happy, but we’re pretty good.”

Joy Behar also appeared miffed adding, “We’re kind of like a semi-dysfunctional family. There’s no reason to go overboard about how we don’t get along. We do get along pretty well. Considering that we’re working together for so many years.”

Elisabeth Hasselbeck then chimed in, saying, “To do what we do every day, it takes a certain amount of respect I think across the table. We’ve had incredible years."

"Maybe one more difficult than others in the past," Hasselbeck added suggestively, and to uproarious applause. "Just, that’s all I’m saying.”

The women of "The View" may not agree on much, but they all seemed to agree that O’Donnell’s assertion was way out of line.

As the ladies vented, a supervisor told Walters -- through her earpiece -- to "get on with it." “You’ve been here 12 years, Dusty,” Walters exclaimed to the supervisor. “I’m sick of you saying, ‘get on with it!’ ”

-- Stephanie Lysaght

Photo credit: AP (O'Donnell); The Times (Walters); Getty Images (Hasselbeck)

'The View': Guess who's praising Barack Obama?

It is a new day in America, and a new day on "The View."

Can you guess which co-host of the ABC gab fest said this today?

"Today is a victory for this country: to have Barack Obama be our president, the first black president, the first black first lady. To have the amount of voters -- 14 million  more voters in this election than the last -- present themselves and vote in this election. Today is victory."

What about this?

"In seeing the amount of people that were able to gather with enthusiasm, ignited and ready to move this country in a fresh direction under Barack Obama, I think he has a gift. And I think with everyone’s support and prayers, he has the ability to really move us in a new place."

Was it Joy Behar? Whoopi Goldberg?

Nooo. It was Elisabeth Hasselbeck, the lone Republican voice on the panel and passionate supporter of Sen. John McCain who recently accused Behar of drinking the Obama Kool-Aid.

Hasselbeck and Behar have been arguing a lot lately. Behar has staunchly supported president-elect Barack Obama and the two women have reportedly been fighting behind the scenes, though they adamantly deny that.

Today, after Hasselbeck "made nice" with the president-elect, Behar took the opportunity to gloat. "What are you saying? I was right all along?" Behar said and laughed.

The two women shook hands. Then Behar explained how she viewed the election:

"For me, this was a triumph over negative campaigning. And I appreciate that about Americans today. That they didn’t fall for the Jeremiah Wright ads and this association baloney. They went for themselves. For the country. And it’s such a wonderful feeling."

The real winner, all women seemed to agree, was America.

Goldberg opened the discussion by saying that she was bowled over when her mother admitted to her on Tuesday night that she didn't think America would elect a black president in her lifetime.

"And the realization that hit me and really messed me up for a lot of the night was that as an American, I always thought of myself as an American with all of the promise that America holds," Goldberg said. "But suddenly last night I felt like I could put my suitcase down finally.

"When people say, everybody can be president ... this is a moment where you realize that you have become the fabric of America, that people really do want greatness for the country and they’re willing to do as much as they can to bring it about. And I was so knocked out by it. "

Co-host Sherri Shepherd was so emotional about Obama's win that she couldn't contain her tears while trying to explain why she finally decided to cast her vote for him. Shepherd was undecided until the very end.

"I took my son with me and he kept saying, 'Barack Obama, we did it! We did it!' We’ve always had these limitations on us. And I remember somebody in my family, when I said I wanted to be a comic and an actor, 'Go get a job at the post office, they don’t let people like us do that.' So to look at my son and say, 'No limitations on you.' It is an extraordinary day for me to be able to tell my son.

[Sarah Palin] spoke to me as a mother who has a child who has special needs. But this spoke to me more. And I know there are people who died to be able to see this day."

Walters played a clip of Martin Luther King Jr.'s 1963 "I Have A Dream" speech after explaining her feelings.

"None of us who are white can know what you feel," she said, looking at Shepherd. "And I didn’t cry last night. But this morning I was brushing my teeth and they had an excerpt of Martin Luther King. I remember that. It was 1963 and I found myself crying. It struck me so that I’ve asked to just play a little bit of that for you who are too young to remember and for those of you who remember and finally his dream came true."

-- Maria Elena Fernandez

The fight bell rings one more time on 'The View'

The hosts of "The View" saved the best fight for last, launching into a vicious Election Day verbal brawl  that perhaps was one of the most contentious since the show's political "Hot Topics" discussions has made it must see viewing.

With frequent referee Barbara Walters absent, the four hosts -- Whoopi Goldberg, Joy Behar, Sherri Shepard and Elizabeth Hasselbeck (pictured) -- pointed fingers, ripped into each other and engaged in a "greatest-hits" shouting match reviving some of the most cutting remarks from the last few weeks regarding the presidential race.

The battle was sparked when Goldberg brought up that Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin had been cleared of ethics violations charges in Alaska. When Shepard suggested that members of the panel that cleared Palin had been hired by her, Hasselbeck once again attacked presidential candidate Barack Obama for what she called "broken promises" for accepting public money.

An exasperated Behar, who had clashed most openly with Hasselbeck, said, "Isn't it over yet?" prompting Hasselbeck to reply that she was going to "fight to the end." At one point, Goldberg became visibly angry when Hasselbeck brought up the divisive remarks of Rev. Jeremiah Wright, saying that she too "was guilty of cussing this country out." She indicated that Hasselbeck "needed education" on the civil rights movement. Shepard once again accused Republican presidential candidate John McCain for leaving his first wife for his current wife.

-- Greg Braxton

Photo: AP

'The View's' Elisabeth Hasselbeck wears heart on her sleeve, and T-shirt

   Elisabeth Hasselbeck has shown her “Great Americain hero” T-shirt twice on “The View.”  It’s the one she designed “from my heart and my creativity” and gave to Sen. John McCain’s campaign to help her favorite presidential candidate raise funds. The staunchly conservative co-host says she does not receive any money from the design or the sales. 

    But that didn’t stop the shirt from sparking more controversy for the ABC show. Hasselbeck wore it on the air Tuesday when executive producer and co-host Barbara Walters was not present.

    On Wednesday, Walters said on the air that the show’s offices had been inundated with calls and e-mails from viewers complaining about Hasselbeck’s choice of wardrobe. Walters’ comment stirred a lively discussion:
   

    Hasselbeck: Really? Well, they must be voting for Obama. I’m so sorry.

    Sherri Shepherd: It’s very interesting 'cause I saw you in the shirt and I thought, ‘Oh, cute shirt.’ I’ve seen so many celebrities endorse candidates. I’m so used to people wearing T-shirts. Me, myself, I don’t feel like I need to announce with a T-shirt who I’m going to vote for.

    Hasselbeck: Well, here’s the thing: I actually designed the shirt. I actually sketched it out on a piece of paper and sent it to the campaign, something that came from my heart and my creativity. There’s nothing negative about the shirt. It just says ‘Great Americain hero,’ whether you’re voting for him or not, that’s what he is. I’m not making any money on it.

    Joy Behar: But it’s kind of an advertisement.

    Hasselbeck: Well, on your comedy shows, if you’re against me wearing a shirt, I understand and respect that. But we talk about your shows. You have a political edge on your shows and you promo them here. You could also take that argument to promoting your show.

    Walters: I think the feeling was that perhaps it was one thing to wear it on [the Hot Topics segment] … but the other point of view was that it was an advertisement that you were wearing throughout the program.

    Hasselbeck: Look if I sat here buck naked, people would probably see McCain across my chest. That’s who my heart is for.

    Be that as it may, the four co-hosts were notified by their bosses about how their hearts were feeling about the matter today, according to a statement issued by ABC.

    “Barbara Walters and Bill Geddie, executive producers of "The View," don’t think it’s appropriate to wear T-shirts endorsing either candidate but would never forbid any of the co-hosts from expressing themselves.”

—Maria Elena Fernandez

Elisabeth Hasselbeck: 'I'm not leaving 'The View' '

Elisabeth Hasselbeck this morning addressed rumors that she was leaving "The View" for Fox News.

"I am not going anywhere," she told her co-hosts when asked directly if she was staying.

Rumors to the contrary began circulating last month as the morning show's "Hot Topics" segment brought about increasingly heated arguments between the right-leaning Hasselbeck and the other women over this year's presidential election. (Two weeks ago, however, both Hasselbeck's agent Babette Perry and ABC refuted talk of her leaving.)

Hasselbeck herself addressed the gossip in the first 15 minutes of Friday's show -- and slammed Fox News' Ann Coulter at the same time.

During a discussion about a study saying blonds in fact do have more fun, Joy Behar interjected the idea that all Republicans are blonds and predicted that if Sen. John McCain won the election, his running mate, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, would also go blond.

"If they win, she'll be blond, believe me. And if she loses, she'll be blond and have a job on Fox TV because they're all blond over there ... Ann Coulter, Laura Ingraham, Elisabeth Hasselbeck."

At which point Hasselbeck cut in: "Whoa, whoa, whoa, please don't put me in the same sentence as Ann Coulter, thank you very much."

Whoopi Goldberg then asked Hasselbeck directly to clear things up: "Are you going anywhere?"

"I'm not going anywhere -- except to get my highlights fixed. I mean look, I love Fox, I'm staying here," she said while being hugged by co-host Sherri Shepherd. "I am not leaving 'The View.' I certainly love my ladies here. I am not going anywhere."

As if to prove the point that the co-hosts can spar and still get along, Behar said she had gone to see the soon-to-be-released Oliver Stone film, "W.," calling it "an indictment against George W. Bush."

"It's fabulous," Behar said. "And it's incredible how close George Bush and Sarah Palin are. Just sayin'.'"

"Oh, God. Can we please talk about this before I puke?" Hasselbeck started.

Goldberg instead threw to commercial.

-- Denise Martin

(Photo courtesy ABC)