Michelle Collins: ‘The View’ Welcomes Newbie As Rosie Perez Exits, Whoopi Goldberg Recants On Bill Cosby [Video]

Michelle Collins got The View co-host confirmation with impeccable timing. It was one day prior to turning 34, reported ABC News.

“I celebrated one year younger. I made sure everyone knew my age the day before,” revealed Michelle. “I had a little party and everybody from the show came and my New York friends came, so we had a lot of wine and there was a cake with my name on it — it looked like the ‘Say Yes to the Dress’ wedding cake I’ve always dreamed of!”

Collins’ addition to The View will include summer appearances. She will begin her full-time gig in the fall.

https://youtu.be/4dYK1jiyYNA

And it’s a major change in her real world view, because Michelle lives in Hollywood now, while the talk show tapes in New York City.

“My best friend in the world lives here — he’s the best. So I’m so happy to be reunited with him,” she declared. “[Plus] my car in L.A. has a flat tire — I can’t even drive [there]!”

Collins appreciates the difference in cities.

“In New York, you see elderly people going to dinner, dressed up, lovely,” she commented. “In L.A., it’s only 30 and under. You never see old people! Here, everyone’s together: old, young, rich, poor. I love that.”

As for the departure of Rosie Perez, The View producers cited her acting career as her reason, reported Entertainment Weekly.

https://youtu.be/5sQFEiT5Yws

“Our friend Rosie Perez has decided to leave the show at the conclusion of this season to pursue full time her love for acting,” said executive Producer Bill Wolff in an email to the staff. “Stepping into the role of talk show host at the same time she has been starring on Broadway has been incredibly impressive. And beyond being an enormously talented performer, Rosie is a dedicated advocate who has brought passion and insight to the panel every day. Rosie will always be a part of The View family, and we will welcome her back as a guest anytime to catch up.”

For Rosie O’Donnell, who also recently departed, her health was given as the reason for leaving, as the Inquisitr reported.

O’Donnell claimed that the stress caused by the sometimes-volatile exchanges among the co-hosts had escalated to the point of threatening her health. And that’s a serious concern for a 52-year-old woman who suffered an almost fatal heart attack in 2012.

As Perez exits, Whoopi Goldberg has changed her previous comments on Bill Cosby after getting threats.

“If this is to be tried in the court of public opinion, I got to say all of the information that’s out there kind of points to guilt,” admitted The View co-host.

With over 25 women claiming that Cosby assaulted them in some way during the last four decades, no criminal charges have been filed, and he has refuted the women’s claims.

Now, after getting backlash for defending the comedian, Whoopi is taking a different attitude, as ABC News’ chief legal analyst, Dan Abrams, clarified what is involved.

“I always thought that rape cases were open-ended,” confessed The View moderator. “What we have learned is, there’s no recourse for these women except what they’re doing.”

To change that situation, they recommended that viewers turn to legislators to change the statute of limitation laws for such cases.

“It looks bad, Bill,” said The View co-host. “Either speak up or shut up.”

[Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris / Getty Images for The Trevor Project]