How did conservative Meghan McCain become the most fascinating and polarizing lightning rod at "The View"? Ramin Setoodeh, author of "Ladies Who Punch: The Explosive Inside Story of 'The View.'", offered his take on "Salon Talks."

"The thing about Meghan on the show is that she's really the first true conservative that they've had since Elisabeth [Hasselbeck]. They had a number of Republicans but they weren't actually acting like Republicans on the show. They would go on the show and they'd agree with the other co-hosts," Setoodeh shared on "Salon Talks." "Meghan really says what she believes on the show, and she sticks to her conservative ideals."

Setoodeh, who interviewed nearly all of the show's past and present co-hosts for his book, tied the show's ratings to Meghan's addition as a permanent co-host. "The formula of 'The View' doesn't work without Meghan on the show right now," he said. "Sometimes it touches a nerve, but it also makes for really good television."

Watch the full episode with Setoodeh to hear the backstory on why Barbara Walters originally created "The View" and the behind-the-scenes story of how Donald Trump took wedding advice from former co-host Star Jones.