The View has seen a lot of hosts come and go in its nearly 30-year history. Some left on good terms, but others had controversial exits. Several former hosts have spoken out about their time on the show, with at least one former host describing it as “toxic” and vowing never to return.
But never say never. One former host makes a shocking return to the “Hot Topics” table soon. Keep reading for all the details on the surprising turn of events.
Former The View Host Makes Surprising Return After Blasting Show
Jenny McCarthy was recently asked if she would ever return to The View. She only co-hosted one season back in 2013. But it was such an awful experience for her that she publicly said she “hated” the show and would never go back. She’s not the only former host to blast the ABC talk show. While Jenny McCarthy has stayed true to her word, another former host is heading back for another go-round.
TV viewers met Elisabeth Hasselbeck when she was a contestant on the second season of Survivor. She had a background in footwear design but was given a spot on The View after the CBS reality competition.
She co-hosted the show for a decade before leaving in 2013. Elisabeth Hasselbeck made several returns over the years, but seemed to burn that bridge last year with harsh comments about Joy Behar and the show.
The former The View host did not take kindly to Joy Behar calling out singer Carrie Underwood for performing at Donald Trump’s inauguration in January 2025. Elisabeth Hasselbeck went on Fox News and said Joy Behar “wants to attach her name to Carrie Underwood’s name so that she maintains relevance because she knows the ship is sinking.”
A longtime feud between former co-hosts Elisabeth Hasselbeck and Rosie O’Donnell reignited last year. Despite those incidents, Elisabeth Hasselbeck will return to The View as a guest co-host while Alyssa Farah Griffin is on maternity leave, Entertainment Weekly reported this week.
Fans React To The Shocking Return
After leaving The View, Elisabeth Hasselbeck worked at Fox News for a few years and published several books. “Congratulations to Alyssa. I had all three of our children while at The View. I’m excited to go back. I’m honored that they asked me,” she wrote on social media about her return to the ABC talk show.
Elisabeth Hasselbeck is “excited” to return. Fans of the show took to Reddit to share their reactions.
- “My exact thought when I saw her name was “Wow, what a hypocrite”. Guarantee she will act buddy buddy with Joy and talk about the “good times” together.”
- “It’s interesting that she wants to associate with a “sinking” show and compromise her standards.”
- “I think the producers want some drama to increase the ratings, i cannot explain it otherwise”
- “I see this as a death knell for the show. I could not stand her before; I doubt she had improved.”
Fans of The View aren’t happy about Elisabeth Hasselbeck’s return. Tell us your thoughts in the comments.
Jennifer Havener grew up in a small town in Upstate New York. She earned her B.A in Writing & Literature from Naropa University in Boulder, Colorado. She always knew watching reality TV shows and soap operas, particularly ‘Days of Our Lives’, would come in handy someday. When she’s not writing, she’s playing with her dogs, Lola and Ruger
