Elisabeth Hasselbeck knows things change quickly on ABC’s The View . But even Hasselbeck was taken aback at the speed of the latest changes.
Word spread that current co-hosts Sherri Shepherd and Jenny McCarthy, who in part replaced Hasselbeck in July 2013, were leaving the show as of June 26. This, in conjunction with Barbara Walters’ leaving the show in May, leaves Whoopi Goldberg as the only remaining regular host for ABC’s longtime-running morning show. The change surprised Hasselbeck.
On Fox And Friends Friday morning (June 27), Hasselbeck stated she “was shocked, in some ways,” according to Us Weekly . When asked by Fox And Friends co-host Steve Doocy if Shepherd was shocked, Hasselbeck said, “I’m sure. Even if you think that might happen one day, I’m sure it would come across to be a shock.” Hasselbeck also stated she had not spoken to Shepherd yet, but soon would.
Since Hasselbeck’s leaving The View in July 2013, Hasselbeck and Shepherd remained friends. Shepherd even made a visit to Hasselbeck’s new show in September, bringing gifts, including a photo collage documenting her friendship with Hasselbeck. “We’re, like, attached at the hip,” Shepherd stated during her September visit. She also said Hasselbeck was in her wedding party.
According to CNN , sources confirm Shepherd was preparing to leave The View for months, but decided to keep her departure quiet so as not to overshadow Barbara Walters leaving in May of this year.
“The number 7 is God’s number of completion & after 7 seasons my time at The View is now complete!… Incredibly grateful to my second mom @BarbaraJWalters for pushing me beyond my comfort zone – it’s been amazing doing it scared!” Shepherd tweeted Thursday. “Life should be lived. Run towards the things that scare you. Choose joy and trust God – everything else will work out as it should.”
McCarthy also used Twitter to announce her reason for leaving. “If Sherri goes… I go too. #sisters,” McCarthy tweeted Thursday. “My View will be changing too. As will with many hard working folks. Thanks to everyone at the show for your dedication and an amazing year.”
The past 12 months have proven to be a year of change for The View . Along with the recent departures of Shepherd and McCarthy and the impending departure of Walters, Hasselbeck and Joy Behar both left in mid-2013 to pursue other career interests. While the show’s future seems cloudy, ABC has announced in a statement to CNN that the show “will be moving in an exciting new direction next season and ABC has made decisions to evolve the show creatively.”
