Sherri Shepherd Heads Back To ‘The View’ As Contributor For Upcoming Season

In The View‘s game of musical chairs, comedian and former co-host SS has won. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the ink has dried on the contract that will bring Shepherd back as a lead contributor to the struggling show. After leaving for almost a year, Shepherd will be back in the saddle for the upcoming season, according to Yahoo News who reports Shepherd will be joining The View mainstay Whoopi Goldberg and newbie Raven Symone and rumored cohosts Michelle Collins, Paula Faris, and Candace Cameron-Bure.

In the earlier days of the show, Shepherd was among the more favorable hosts, sharing a 2009 Emmy with the then-cast for best talk show host. The move will make the new season of The View a bit more familiar for viewers who have been tuning out during the show’s multiple attempts to remain relevant for their target demographic.

Since leaving the show, Shepherd has been a busy bee with stints on Broadway, TV Land’s The Soul Man and an appearance in Chris Rock’s Top Five. Shepherd has also been maintaining her standup routine with tours across the country while writing a book about her very public and very messy relationship drama with ex-husband Lamar Sally with whom she shares a child born via surrogate.

A two-time author, Shepherd is also slated to spread her hosting duties to another show, Holy & Hungry, on the Cooking Channel, according to UPI. Shepherd, a devout Christian who has talked extensively about her lifestyle of faith, will reportedly use “the unique lens of faith to explore food.” Shepherd’s new cooking show is expected to premiere this August.

Shepherd, who rose to fame through her comedic talents before rising to acting prominence with roles on Everybody Loves Raymond, The Jamie Foxx Show, 30 Rock and How I Met Your Mother, went on to win multiple awards for her work on The View.

Shepherd is doing double duty, and even triple if you include her newest business venture – a wig line, since a judge ordered her to pay her ex-husband over $4K per month in child support after a lengthy court battle, according to People.

Critics of the show have been calling for it to wrap, but some viewers are hopeful that Shepherd’s homecoming can bring back the good old days when the show had more substance.

While Sherri Shepherd’s role as lead contributor is a welcomed boost for the show, Shepherd’s impact on ratings remains to be seen. Fans will just have to wait to see what Shepherd can bring to the new lineup on The View.

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