'The View' Cohosts Through the Years and Why They Left

April 2024 · 3 minute read

Since The View premiered in August 1997, more than 20 women have had permanent roles as cohosts on the ABC morning talk show.

The series, which was created by Barbara Walters, features a multi-generational panel that conducts interviews and discusses the news of the day, ranging from politics to entertainment. The original lineup was comprised of Walters, Joy Behar, Star Jones, Meredith Vieira and Debbie Matenopoulos.

In more recent years, the panel has included stars like Whoopi Goldberg, Meghan McCain and Rosie O’Donnell.

Viewers were reminded of the Emmy-winning program’s oft-tumultuous history in April 2019 with the publication of journalist Ramin Setoodeh’s Ladies Who Punch: The Explosive Inside Story of The View.

The book, which featured interviews with nearly every woman who has taken a seat at the table over the years, delved into how the show often becomes news rather than simply discussing news.

In one headline-making excerpt from the book, O’Donnell admitted that she had “a little bit of a crush” on her on-air nemesis Elisabeth Hasselbeck during their time on The View, though the comedian insisted that she never wanted to act on it.

In another excerpt, Sherri Shepherd revealed that O’Donnell helped her get more money than Hasselbeck by urging her to counteroffer and request more perks with the job.

In August 2022, The View expanded its panel when frequent contributors Ana Navarro and Alyssa Farah Griffin were offered full-time hosting gigs.

The View is an institution and incomparable platform for women of different backgrounds to share their opinions and insights. It’s been a long courtship, but we’re finally making it official,” Navarro told ABC News at the time, one month before season 26 premiered. “I love being on the show, and I love living in Miami. I’m happy I will be able to do both. Thank you to ABC News, The View family and our loyal viewers for their continued support.”

Season 26, which debuts in September 2022, will see Navarro and the CNN contributor discuss daily hot-button topics alongside fellow hosts Goldberg, Behar, Sunny Hostin and Sarah Haines.

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“Humbled & honored to join @theView. This show paved the way for women of different backgrounds to speak up and speak out,” Farah Griffin tweeted that August about her new job. “This show paved the way for women of different backgrounds to speak up and speak out. It’s been a tumultuous few years for me personally, but I’m grateful & thrilled to have found my voice & to represent my values at the iconic table!”

Scroll down to take a look back at every The View cohost since 1997:

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