Less than two weeks after "The View" co-hosts Sherri Shepherd and Jenny McCarthy announced they would not be returning to the ABC talk show, producers are still trying to lock down replacements.
So far Whoopi Goldberg is the only confirmed co-host who will return for Season 18; Barbara Walters announced her departure months ago. According to a new report by Radar Online, producers are reportedly trying to get Rosie O'Donnell to rejoin the cast for the fall. The source claims O'Donnell is definitely interested in returning to the show.
"Rosie is in heavy talks right now to return to 'The View,'" the source said. "In fact, Rosie was in talks to return before it was even confirmed that Jenny and Sherri was leaving."
"Ratings weren't great this season, so ABC really needs to find hosts who are going to amp up the views for Season 18," the source continued. "And that's Rosie. Before leaving 'The View' in 2007 she'd helped raise viewership on the show a lot, in just one season. The network is hopeful she could do the same again."
O'Donnell returned as a guest host in February but the source told Radar that producers are hoping she'll be interested in a permanent gig.
"It appeals to Rosie. She's comfortable on TV and in all her glory when she gets to express her personal views on current events and talking points," the source added. "Any controversy that surrounds Rosie is good ratings. So it's a win-win."
On June 26, Shepherd announced via a statement to Deadline that she wouldn't be returning to "The View." Shortly after her announcement, McCarthy tweeted that she too was saying good-bye to the ABC show.
"If Sherri goes... I go too. #sisters," she posted.
"My View will be changing too," she added. "As will with many hard working folks. Thanks to everyone at the show for your dedication and an amazing year."
It's not clear if Shepherd and McCarthy were fired or left on their own. At the time, sources told TMZ that producers were "very interested" in O'Donnell and boxer Laila Ali. Hollywood Life claims that "Bachelorette" star Andi Dorfman and Ross Mathews were both in heavy talks to join Goldberg at the panel.
So far ABC has not made an official announcements about who will join Whoopi Goldberg for Season 18.
