“The View” is bringing back a familiar face to help kick off its landmark 30th season but it's not who fans expect. The Former ‘The View’ Co-host Set To Return For Season 30, But It’s Not Rosie O’Donnell first appeared on The Blast

“The View” is bringing back a familiar face to help kick off its landmark 30th season.

Following a month-long summer hiatus, former co-host Sherri Shepherd is set to return as a guest to the Hot Topics table, with current panelists Whoopi Goldberg, Joy Behar, Sunny Hostin, Sara Haines, Ana Navarro, and Alyssa Farah Griffin. 

Although Rosie O’Donnell recently hinted at her return alongside past colleagues, producers have confirmed that Shepherd is the first alumnus slated to make an official guest appearance. For now, there has yet to be an update on O’Donnell’s supposed return.

Sherri Shepherd Is Set To Return As Guest for ‘The View’ Season 30 Premiere

Ahead of its September 8 season premiere, ABC announced that former co-host Shepherd will return to “The View” as a featured guest.

Shepherd, who served as a permanent co-host from 2007 until her departure in 2014, has frequently visited the show since her exit.  She has also openly spoken about her experience on the show about 12 years ago, once revealing that she had a tough experience with the founding host, Barbara Walters.

According to her, Walters even made her cry at one point. However, it was supposedly all in good intentions.  “She taught me how to find my voice,” Shepherd said of Walters, as reported by Entertainment Weekly. 

While fans are excited to see Shepherd’s return, excitement also intensified after O’Donnell stated on a podcast that she would gladly return to the panel alongside former colleagues. 

However, while O’Donnell expressed her willingness to participate, Shepherd remains the first former panelist officially confirmed by the network for the upcoming landmark season lineup.

Rosie O’Donnell Previously Spoke On Returning To ‘The View’ For Its Landmark 30th Season

Before ABC finalized its initial premiere guest list, O’Donnell sparked online debate by confirming her intention to visit her former workplace during its anniversary milestone.

According to The Blast, O’Donnell addressed ongoing speculation regarding her connection to the talk show. The 64-year-old comedian confirmed that while she has no plans to step back into a full-time co-hosting role, she remains open to returning as a guest to help commemorate the series’ 30th anniversary:

“I will go on the 30th anniversary,” she stated plainly. 

• Rosie O’Donnell’s brutal takedown of Donald Trump on “The View” resurfaces
• The comedian sparked daytime TV return chatter as her agents are working behind the scenes
• O’Donnell confessed to often rewatching her explosive fight with Elisabeth Hasselbeck on “The View.”

New Reports Clarified That No Formal Invitation Was Issued For Rosie O’Donnell’s Return

Following O’Donnell’s statements on a potential return, more reports surfaced, indicating that formal discussions were unconfirmed.

Production sources noted there were no concrete plans to bring the former panelist back to the show. Clarifying the claims, a representative for O’Donnell explained that while informal conversations had taken place, production had not extended an official booking.

“There was a mention of inviting some of the hosts back to ‘The View’… [but] there has not been a formal ask from the show at this time,” the source said, per The Blast.

Staffers Were Reportedly Reluctant To Invite Meghan McCain Back To ‘The View’

Although multiple names came up for a potential return to the TV show, reports suggested that one particular former co-host, in the person of Meghan McCain, will likely not be receiving an invitation to participate in the milestone celebrations.

Sources claimed that producers and staff were hesitant to include McCain in any upcoming reunion plans. This was allegedly because McCain’s four-season tenure was defined by frequent on-air clashes before her departure in 2021.

Notably, McCain addressed the rumors and rejected any interest in returning to the daytime program.

She stated that her experience was a “very painful time” in her life both personally and professionally. She also revealed that she has “no desire or plans to ever return to the show,” per The Blast.

Other Co-Hosts Have Also Had Controversial Experiences On ‘The View’

Like McCain, other “The View” co-hosts seemed to have different controversial experiences on the show. 

In July, an exchange occurred when “Star Trek: Strange New Worlds” star Anson Mount visited “The View” to promote his series. As the 53-year-old actor greeted the panel, Behar pulled him into a full kiss on the lips.

While the studio audience laughed, social media users were far less amused, with many labeling the interaction “disgusting” and inappropriate for a daytime broadcast, as reported by The Blast.

Despite the backlash, the co-hosts played off the encounter with lighthearted jokes on air. Addressing the viral moment afterward, Mount also made a joke out of the situation, noting that he asked his wife not to divorce him, while also revealing that she found the situation hilarious.

The Former ‘The View’ Co-host Set To Return For Season 30, But It’s Not Rosie O’Donnell first appeared on The Blast