Show creator Barbara Walters has announced the replacement for Elisabeth Hasselbeck: Jenny McCarthy.
The conservative Hasselbeck, who is headed to "Fox & Friends," won't be equaled in terms of political rage by McCarthy, who's generally apolitical but for her strong stance against vaccines, a position that has been a source of controversy in recent years. McCarthy is best known for her appearances on the 1990s MTV dating show "Singled Out" and for a sideline career as a memoirist of motherhood and dating; she is also the "winner" of two Razzie awards for writing and starring in the film "Dirty Love" and was the 1994 Playboy Playmate of the Year. She has lately hosted her own talk show on VH1. And though her deal with Harpo Productions came to an end, McCarthy was among the talk-show-world proteges of Oprah Winfrey (appearing on the show to discuss vaccines and autism), a group that also includes Rachael Ray, Lisa Ling, and Suze Orman.
"She has connected with our audience and offers a fresh point of view," said Walters. "Jenny will be a great addition to the show as we usher in an exciting new chapter for 'The View.'" No kidding -- along with Hasselbeck, outspoken liberal panelist Joy Behar and Walters herself are leaving the show, leaving Whoopi Goldberg and Sherri Shepherd the only current panelists set to continue with the show indefinitely.
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