Just days after Elisabeth Hasselbeck officially left ABC’s daytime talk show The View, the network confirmed that Jenny McCarthy has joined the show.
McCarthy will officially join the show starting in September. Before Hasslebeck’s confirmed departure, it was rumored that McCarthy was in ‘serious talks’ to join the show.
“We are delighted that Jenny will be joining us as a permanent co-host on The View starting in September,” Barbara Walters said in a press release. “Jenny brings us intelligence as well as warmth and humor. She can be serious and outrageous. She has connected with our audience and offers a fresh point of view. Jenny will be a great addition to the show as we usher in an exciting new chapter for The View.”
McCarthy also commented, “I'm beyond thrilled to be joining Barbara and the other amazing women at the table. I'd like to thank ABC for this great opportunity. I'd also like to give a big thank you to VH1 for their support and for allowing me to fulfill this lifelong dream. I look forward to helping make hot topics a little bit hotter, and showing my mom that my interrupting skills have finally paid off.”
According to Deadline, hiring McCarthy could be seen as controversial, since she has strongly campaigned against vaccinations. Still, McCarthy is no stranger to the show, since she’s appeared on it 17 times.
McCarthy will make her first appearance on The View on Sept. 9. Along with Hasselbeck, Joy Behar is also leaving and Walters is retiring.
image: ABC