Elisabeth Hasselbeck ‘is toast’, she might be replaced with Brooke Shields?

Last week, there was a lot of drama about whether or not Elisabeth Hasselbeck had been fired from The View after market research claimed that viewers found Elisabeth to be too “extreme and right-wing”. The initial reports – which claimed Barbara Walters had taken Elisabeth to the proverbial woodshed – seemed to come from well-placed unnamed sources at The View, and it seemed legit. But then Barbara Walters announced that she loves Elisabeth and there are “no plans” for Elisabeth to leave, which I interpreted as a face-saving gesture by both women. As in, Barbara didn’t want to look like she was firing Elisabeth, and she was going to let Elisabeth look like she was leaving of her own accord. Now Page Six has some insider dirt – does anyone else thing The View has a major leak problem?

Elisabeth Hasselbeck “is toast” on ABC’s “The View,” sources tell us, despite show doyenne Barbara Walters insisting the conservative blonde isn’t getting fired.

Rumors swirling that Hasselbeck was on her way out forced Walters to say last Monday, “We have no plans for Elisabeth to leave this show.” But a source tells us, “ABC is desperate to freshen the show. Ratings are going soft, and research numbers on the stars’ likability are scaring network execs.

“Dumping Joy Behar, who was there 16 years, and Hasselbeck would be the fastest way to do it, they decided. After giving Behar the bad news last week and letting her bow out gracefully, someone leaked the Hasselbeck thing. Some enemies she has on the show saw their chance to get back at her. Barbara was spitting mad that it got mishandled, and called off the firing over [last] weekend.”

While we heard Hasselbeck would go when her contract is up next year, the source added, “It could be earlier, because the ABC brass believes the show needs to be younged-up fast. They easily could coax her to go early.”

Meanwhile the well-manicured claws are out for Behar’s still-warm seat, with “GMA” anchor George Stephanopoulos’ actress-comic wife Ali Wentworth a favorite. But Christie Brinkley is also lobbying hard for the job.

Another source said, “They want another comedienne, so Ali is the favorite. And she’s already seen as part of the ABC family because of George. But Christie really wants the job. Brooke Shields is also very much liked.

“But, just as they did with ‘Live! with Kelly and Michael,’ they won’t rush. They’ll test out a number of hosts to see who works best with the women and the audience.” A rep for “The View” said, “This was all addressed on Monday’s show. [Walters] is not the least bit angry. She loves these women and wants what’s best for them. Everything else is speculation. Producers haven’t begun to search for a new co-host. We have no further comment.”

[From Page Six]

I said this last week, but Joy was like the only one on The View who I liked. I like how shtick-y she is, like an old-school comedian. As for the replacement hostesses being named… I could see Brooke Shields being good at that kind of show. I’ve never really gotten the Ali Wentworth thing – she used to be on Oprah all the time too. What’s her deal? Is she just famous for marrying George Stephanopoulos? She’s sort of brassy-funny, but I would love to see The View add a woman with an actual background in journalism, you know?

Photos courtesy of WENN.

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38 Responses to “Elisabeth Hasselbeck ‘is toast’, she might be replaced with Brooke Shields?”

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  1. poppy says:

    they want to “young it up” but get rid of the youngest one? or is sherri the youngest?

    • elceibeno says:

      Maybe what they mean by ‘young-up’ is to find a replacement that is appealing to young women. Elisabeth is young but she is conservative, and most young women are liberal not conservative.

      • tracking says:

        Yes, good point. She is like a throwback to the “nice girl” Stepford wife/housewife (even though she works). If the conservative viewpoint must be represented, then find a more intelligent person with personality to do it!

  2. tracking says:

    Ali Wentworth and Brooke Shields would both be great additions! Ali is funny and direct; Brooke is honest (seemingly) and empathetic. I did like Joy though–I felt like she was only one who injected a little verve into the proceedings. Hasselbeck, good riddance!

    • Me Three says:

      I actually kind of like Ali. She has a pretty funny sense of humor, if they let her be herself. If Christie Brinkley is their idea of youngifying the show, they’ll definitely not get any more viewers! Brooke, seems irreverent and articulate so she wouldn’t be a bad addition I guess.

  3. JenD says:

    Brooke Shields is now on Army Wives – I can’t imagine in two new projects at the same time.

  4. Winnie says:

    I think the leak is bill geddie, the producer.

  5. Blondie says:

    With Joy going I don’t think I’m going to watch the View. She really makes me laugh. Im glad Whoppi is still on her and Joy are the only 2 I like.

  6. GiGi says:

    I’d start watching again if Ali Wentworth was cast – she’s a DC insider and her brains match her wit.

    Her mother was social secretary for Nancy Reagan & her dad was a reporter.

    • Launicaangelina says:

      I remember Ali on In Living Color.

    • Sassy says:

      Agree Wentworth would be good. I really liked Joy and am sorry to see her go, but she is old. (not that there is anything wrong with that). I abhor Whoopi and think Sheri is a moron, so replace them all, and construct another show. Please give Barbara a fond goodbye (she can still exec produce) – but seriously, if they don’t sharpen the cast the entire show is a goner.

  7. k says:

    Ali Wentworth is a long-time comedienne and comedic actor. She used to be on In Living Color.

    • EscapedConvent says:

      I think she was Jerry Seinfeld’s “Shmoopy.” But that ended abruptly when the Soup Nazi wouldn’t give her any soup.

      Jerry wanted the soup more than he wanted his Shmoopy.

  8. Amelia says:

    I am glad Joy is leaving, I find her to be extremely liberal for someone her age. Isn’t Joy pushing 80 years or something. Joy is as liberal as Elizabeth is conservative. Too much of anything can be bad.I find Whoopie the most balanced crude but intelligent.

    • Bubbles says:

      Wait, because she’s old she should be conservative? What a good point. I lked Joy and mostly agreed with her. I’m glad Elizabeth is going, and they should sack Sherri. She doesn’t believe in evolution, for God’s sake.

    • lucy2 says:

      I think Joy is late 60s. And there are plenty of people of all ages who are very liberal or very conservative.

    • JenD says:

      I don’t like Joy, either. I think her views are as extreme as Elisabeth’s, and her personality is as grating.

  9. Miss M says:

    Well… here is my suggestion e Elisabeth to substitute: Stacy Keibler!

    Just because it would be fun to see her saying “amazing” to every single daily issue. Also, she gave an interview saying not too long ago that she is intelligent and was top 10 in her class. I guess she can hold her own with Barbara Walters.

  10. bea says:

    EH is hateful and seems dumb, so dumping her is a no-brainer (too bad they’ll have to give her more $ to leave), but they blew it with Joy, imo – I can’t believe she “tested” poorly. She does have that old world style that is becoming rare to see any more. So funny, such great timing. Plus, how many women in their 70s do you see on TV?

    I think Christie Brinkley would make it all about her.

  11. acp says:

    I don’t think Ali would be a great fit. Did you catch when she was on GMA with him, doing some couple quiz? George was trying to hide his costernation and embarrassment.

  12. Gemini08 says:

    Ali Wentworth was only marginally funny on In Living Color and hasn’t been funny since. I personally wouldn’t mind seeing Brooke on the show. I think she would be a great co-host. Christine Brinkley- after having seen her interviewed numerous times is too much of an airhead in my opinion.

  13. MinnFinn says:

    I vote Megan McCain as a replacement for EH.

  14. aims says:

    I have no issues with Elizabeth, being a conservative. What I have a problem is, that she can’t be diplomatic with her approach. I understand that our country has a lot of views,that’s what great about it here. However, if you’re consistently running your mouth, giving false information, being so arrogant, that you can’t shut your mouth and listen. Then, that’s my problem. I disagree with Elizabeth on pretty much everything. I am turned off by her, for many reasons. I think what makes us human is our ability to be humble, gracious and a little self deprecating. I have never felt that from Elizabeth, that’s why I can’t with her.

    • Leigh says:

      Couldn’t agree more.

      She has an inability to both maintain her own beliefs and respect others. I also don’t think she is simply a republican, but an extreme right wing republican. Which for many people is hard enough to take without the whiney yelling and refusal to respect or hear anyone else’s informed (and often valid) opinions and beliefs.

      I also don’t feel as though her opinions are informed enough. Almost like she is Fox News’ puppet…

    • Garvels says:

      From the shows I have seen, I think Joy has the same problem as well as Whoopie. I think people are sick and tired of politics and how it is spilling over to entertainment.

      • Belle says:

        ^^This. Whoopi and Joy are just as annoying and have spouted plenty of nonsense. They all have their moments, but it is much easier for people to bitch about Elisabeth under the guise of… ‘I don’t mind that she is conservative, I don’t like her because she is annoying.’

      • karmasabiatch! says:

        Exactly.

        After being a longtime viewer of the show, I actually stopped watching The View specifically because of Joy Behar. The older she got, the more extreme and loud-mouthed offensive she became. Hasselbeck may not be a mental giant, but neither is Joy. Buh-bye, Joy – I might just start watching the show again after you leave.

  15. truthful says:

    Ali would be a good choice, I like her she’s smart and funny. I will miss Joy but I didn’t watch anymore because of Hasselback.

    now I will watch it again, once she is gone.

  16. Garvels says:

    Ali Wentworth-ugh! Brook Shields would be great!

  17. Mona says:

    I only learned Joy is supposed to be a comedian not long ago. I’ve watched The View on and off for a few years and would never have guessed. I find Joy dull, angry, bitter and as funny as a funeral; and I even agree with many things Joy says! But I never found her comedic in the slightest. You’d never know she was a comedian. Sherry is more comedic than Joy is. Heck – BARBARA WALTERS is more comedic than Joy is!! Joy is a humorless bore. Although I agree with her politically, I’m glad shes going because she is too angry and bitter and bores me to tears. Elisasbeth is a delusional crackpot and I’m glad to see the back of her too.

  18. Amanda G says:

    They need to young it up a bit. I know Hasselbeck is only 35, but most don’t find her relatable being married with kids and a staunch conservative. They do need a conservative to even things out, but how about not so extreme and actually SMART?

  19. Francesca says:

    Get rid of her! I cannot watch the show when she is on. Too bad about Joy; she was and IS hilarious.

  20. Jo 'Mama' Besser says:

    In that picture she looks more tweaked than Barbara. I’ve always wondered who’s responsible for making her look so weird on the show.

  21. lisa says:

    ali wentworth might be the most irritating person on the planet. she’s the poster child of nepotism.

  22. Kosmos says:

    I’ve ALWAYS disliked Hasslebeck, so on your way, girl! LOVE Brooke, would love to see her on something like this, but I don’t really know who Ali is?