The View to Add Another Cohost

Today, as I sat watching one of my favorite talk shows -- the View -- I was surprised to find out that there will be another co host -- in addition to Whoopi Goldberg -- added to show. The popularity of the show is largely due in part to the "hot topics" segment. I never miss the first half of the show waiting breathlessly for the next hot exchange and inadvertent look. I always look for those side looks or dark stares at each other.

Somewhere between arguing over the morality of CBS' Kid's Nation and Whoopi Goldberg's clarification of her comments on Michael Vick's cultural justification for his involvement in dog fighting, Barbara quickly dropped a bomb that floored the entire panel. Yes, the women of The View were speechless, at least for a second or two. Barbara Walters made reference to an empty chair that had remained unfilled for an entire season, and then surprised everyone by announcing the impending arrival of ANOTHER regular co host!

Whoopi Goldberg was quick to question and joke with Walters, "You're replacing me already!"

As soon as the dust settled there was a flurry of questions from the women, attempting to get any hint of the newest member to their panel.
Likewise the bloggers and entertainment sites were buzzing with excitement, rumors, and guesses as to who this new face could be based of course on previous co hosts and their performances.

So who are the runner ups? The Internet and this faithful viewer is leading hard towards Sherri Shepherd. Every time she co host she always presented herself with an ability to stand up to strong opinions and still remain humorous. As stated by the PopWatch Blog , courtesy of EW.com, "she's the only co host who doesn't get steamrolled by Hurricane Rosie, and better still, that she manages to defuse Rosie's off-base accusation of Kelly Ripa's "homophobia" by boldly placing her hand on O'Donnell's breast. In other words, she's not afraid of ruffling the alpha bird's feathers, and she's capable of scoring a laugh while she does it."

Rosie O' Donnell has been pretty conservative with her congratulations to Whoopi. She simply stated on her blog, "Whoopi is good." On Good Morning America very little was mentioned about Rosie's well wishing instead a clip of Star Jones was played congratulating Whoopi . Back in June, at a Cyndi Lauper concert she special guest starred for, "Earlier in the evening, she gave the crowd her take on her View experience. "I got to tell you, I've been hanging around with those heteros for a full year and it's not fun," she said. "Turn around one minute and they'll stab you in the back with a high heel. They will.", according to People.

The arrival of the newest view co host will be revealed on Monday', September 10th's show. According to ABC Radio, Walters has already confirmed the replacement will be a female and humorous. So when Monday morning comes around, make sure that you "Take some time to enjoy the View" and see what and will be heating up the hot topics!

Susan Mandel and Nicholas White, "Rosie O' Donnell: Women Will 'Stab in the Back with a High Heel'"
www.people.com

Michael Slezak, "Sherri Shepard: the new 'View' co host?"
www.popwatch.ew.com

Good Morning America, "Whooping it up on 'the View'"
www.abc.news.go.com/GMA/Story