ABC has confirmed that comedic actress Jenny McCarthy will be joining the panel of The View as a co-host for the talk show’s 17th season. McCarthy will be filling one of the two openings created by the departure of Elisabeth Hasselbeck and Joy Bhar, the latter of which is leaving the show later in the summer.
“We are delighted that Jenny will be joining us as a permanent co-host on The View starting in September,” Barbara Walters said of McCarthy’s addition to the cast. “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.”
Not everyone shares the same delight about the 40-year-old joining the show. McCarthy, who embraced the claims that vaccinations cause autism, has drawn the attention of pro-immunization advocacy groups.
McCarthy on the other hand is “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 look forward to helping make hot topics a little bit hotter, and showing my mom that my interrupting skills have finally paid off.”
The 17th season of The View will premiere Monday, September 9th at 10 a.m CST.
