Who knew it would be so tough to find a replacement for Star Jones on "The View"? After one full year, her spot has been filled by various guest hosts including the likes of Kathy Griffin, Sherri Shepherd, Whoopi Golberg etc. And NOW the even bigger question is: who will replace Rosie O'Donnell who replaced Meredith Viera?
I'm going to speculate because, as we know by now, I'm kind of obsessed with this right now. A reader wrote in last week with the suggestion of Margaret Cho and I am really into that! I think she would be most excellent. She's smart, outspoken, beyond gay friendly, so, so funny, and would provide the show with some much-needed diversity. So go Cho!
Sadly, it will not happen because 1) I am quite sure Barbara Walters does not want someone who will likely be as controversial as Rosie was...or maybe she does? It helps ratings! But 2) I don't think Cho would want to tie herself down like that.
But if she did, it would be magic!
Gayle King may be best known as Oprah's best friend but she is also a terrific television personality who has great humor, experience and confidence. I like her a lot and she is the kind of person who would be nice to see day in and day out. "The View" is crazy to not have tried to snap her up already back when Star left. Marc Malkin of PlanetGossip.com reports that a source close to King says she's not exactly campaigning, but "if they ask her, I'm sure she'd seriously consider it."
Malkin reports that an insider tells him that both King and comic actress Sherri Shepherd ("Less than Perfect") both had several recent conversations with Walters about joining the show. "Sherri and Gayle want it really bad," the insider says. "I mean, really bad." Shepherd's rep says, "Nobody knows what's going on. Shepherd, who was guest co-host the day Rosie and Elisabeth Hasselbeck had their last on-air showdown, will cohost again next Wednesday.
Kathy Griffin would obviously move off of the D-List for good if she could snag one of those coveted seats on "The View." She guest-hosted the day after the Rosie-Elisabeth meltdown and was quite funny about it showing that she could bring levity to any situation. Griffin is smart and quick and funny and even though she would join Joy Behar as a second comedian on the panel, I think she would be a big draw for the show and give it the jolt of energy it needs in Rosie's absence.
How Rene Syler was phased out of the CBS "Early Show" and not that robot Julie Chen (oh wait, she's married to the head ofd CBS!). Anyway, Syler would be a solid addition because she's a real broadcaster and interviewer which Behar and Hasslebeck are not. She is a woman of substance and brings a lot to the table. The panel is in desperate need of someone who can contribute intelligently to hot topics but also ask intelligent questions of guests - something Hasslebeck simply cannot do.