The View Finally Adds New Co-Host

At long last, the ladies of The View finally welcomed someone new to their table, comedienne Whoopi Goldberg. Promising to be herself and shun little high heels, Whoopi will definitely bring a new perspective and opinion to the show, and the women on the panel are excited about the prospect.

"I think Whoopi brings warmth," Behar, 64, tells PEOPLE magazine. "We know that she brings humor and talent, but she also brings warmth, and on television, people have to like you. She's very, very likable, and I'm thrilled to have her." Barbara Walters adds, "When you have a woman who is as smart and as talented as Whoopi, it makes everyday fun." "We still have arguments about politics, and I think that's the way the show should be," Behar says. "Whoopi, I think she argues also. She has her own speed and her own style."

Although Whoopi was officially welcomed to the chatfest this past Wednesday, she doesn't start her new day job until after Labor Day.

No word on what Rosie thinks yet, but I'm sure it's forthcoming.

Photo from IMDB.

Finally! Star Jones Reynolds Admits Gastric Bypass Surgery

Although she has danced around the topic for quite awhile now, former View co-host Star Jones Reynolds has FINALLY admitted that she had gastric bypass surgery ... as if any of us had any doubt. She wrote an essay in the September issue of Glamour magazine. Some excerpts are below, but you can read the whole she-bang right here.

"The toughest part of the journey has been forgiving myself for not having the self-control I know I should have had, or admitting I needed help," she writes. "Every day I am learning to let go of my insecurities and acknowledge that I don't have all the answers, which is okay," she says. Though she still struggles with self-image, she writes that being healthy is what counts. "I'm not saying that in order to be happy, women need to be a certain size, but I am saying that we should all strive to be healthy."

Photos from Glamour.

Rosie Gets a Big, Fat N-O from Price is Right Head Honchos

Somebody said no to Rosie? Yup. Turns out the CBS head honchos turned her down for the coveted spot of host of The Price is Right.

She told TV Guide recently, "They thought I was too controversial to host the game show. I just wanted to ‘gay it up.’" What changes exactly did she want to make? Per TV Guide, she apparently, "wanted to get rid of Barker’s beauties in favor of a chorus line of Broadway hunks, confetti, musical bumpers and a much-needed set makeover 'so the colors actually match!'" She said that she was disappointed that they passed on her, but is in the process of mulling over offers to start her own daytime talk show again.

In the meantime, don't cry for her. She has already finished a tell-all book on her 10-month stint on The View, and plans to release it on September 18th. Guess when you're out of work, you have nothing but free time to write. "It’s not mean-spirited," O’Donnell says. "It’s just honest."

Photo from TV Guide.

Newsstand Friday: TV Guide

COVER STORY
Sopranos Says Goodbye

Ciao time! We take a look back at the HBO hit. Also, Edie Falco, Jamie-Lynn Sigler and others reveal their fave scenes. Plus: On the set of Kyle XY and at the zoo with Terri and Bindi Irwin!

BREAKING NEWS

Inside the View Meltdown
What's next for Rosie and The View.

Maks Caught in the Crossfire

How dare The View involve Maks in their petty disputes! People magazine reports that as Rosie O'Donnell and Elizabeth Hasselbeck were having it out onstage last week, Maksim Chmerkovskiy and Laila Ali, of Dancing with the Stars fame, were waiting backstage, feeling awkward. Well, and I guess Joey and Kym were there too:

"All four of us were at a loss," Dancing with the Stars' Maksim Chmerkovskiy tells PEOPLE of his time waiting out the argument with dance partner Laila Ali and fellow Dancing stars Joey Fatone and Kym Johnson. "It was a straight-up brawl."

Chmerkovskiy says the guests had been warned by View staffers that the show could get "intense" – and it quickly did. "At first everyone was sort of laughing, [like,] 'See, I told you it gets intense.' Then it was like, Okay maybe it's one of those very intense ones. But people were still giggling. But then it became a fight between Rosie and Elisabeth."

What made it particularly shocking? "It was like a domestic dispute, like relatives fighting. We came to their house and we were witnessing something a little embarrassing. It was really uncomfortable."

At the commercial break, Chmerkovskiy recalls stone-faced View staffers running out of the room to deal with the fallout. Actress Alicia Silverstone, who was also in the greenroom, was not happy that her segment was next: "She was like, 'I don't want to go on now.' She had one of those hyperventilating moments where she was like, 'Okay, I'm really nervous.' "

But the show went on, and Chmerkovskiy and Ali performed their dance without incident. "It was like nothing had happened," he says. "I thought great, this must be a normal day at The View."

Rosie O'Donnell Abruptly Leaves The View

Honestly, the maturity of people never cease to amaze me. On Wednesday, Rosie O'Donnell got in another political dust-up with The View co-host Elisabeth Hasselbeck. Rosie had a scheduled day off yesterday to celebrate her partner's birthday, but in a statement issued today, has decided that she has had enough of The View and will not be finishing out the remaining three weeks of her contract.

"We had hoped that Rosie would be with us until the end of her contract three weeks from now, but Rosie has informed us that she would like an early leave," Brian Frons, president of ABC Daytime, said in a statement. "Therefore, we part ways, thank her for her tremendous contribution to The View and wish her well."

The show's co-host and executive producer, Barbara Walters, said in the statement: "I brought Rosie to the show. Rosie contributed to one of our most exciting and successful years at The View. I am most appreciative. Our close and affectionate relationship will not change."

Said O'Donnell: "I'm extremely grateful. It's been an amazing year and I love all three women."

In another mature moment, Alicia Silverstone was a scheduled guest after Elisabeth and Rosie's on-air debate, and when she came on the stage, you'll see how she treated Elisabeth in the below video. Seriously.



Photo from People.

Newsstand Friday: InTouch Magazine

Finally! Hollywood's skinniest stars get healthy
Kate Bosworth, Hilary Duff and Nicole Richie look great after gaining some much-needed pounds.

Exclusive photos!
Anna Nicole Smith's final bow on the set of her last film.

Hollywood's best-looking families
Wow! These stars' kids are just as gorgeous as they are.

At home with Pink and Carey
When the singer and her sports star husband, Carey Hart, want to chill, they head to Las Vegas.

Friends no more
The Hills' Lauren Conrad and Heidi Montag haven't spoken in months.

Is it the end for The View?
After its best ratings in years, the talk show faces an uncertain future with Rosie O'Donnell's resignation and Elisabeth Hasselbeck's pregnancy.

It's Official: Elisabeth Hasselbeck Expecting Baby #2

I'm sure the folks at ABC are starting to get a little worried. First Rosie announced that she will be leaving her hosting duties on The View in June. Now co-host Elisabeth Hasselbeck will be announcing this morning that she is three months pregnant. They better fill Rosie's spot quickly.

Hasselbeck and her football player husband, Tim, have a 2-year-old daughter named Grace.

With Elisabeth going on maternity leave sometime early Fall that only leaves Barbara Walters and Joy Behar at the desk.

Photo from Fox News.

Rosie to Leave The View

After this weekend's tantrum, I bet there are a few happy smiles with this announcement. Chatfest host of The View, Rosie O'Donnell, has not been able to reach a contractual agreement with ABC Daytime, and as a result, she will be departing the show in mid-June.

"Working with Barbara [Walters], Joy [Behar] and Elisabeth [Hasselbeck] has been one of the highlights of my career, but my needs for the future just didn't dovetail with what ABC was able to offer me," Rosie says in a statement to ABCNews.com. "To all the viewers out there, I just want to say 'Thank you' for opening up your hearts and your homes to me this past year. But you can always find me at Rosie.com."

Brian Frons of ABC Daytime said, "Going in we knew we would have an amazing year with [Rosie], and that anything beyond that would be gravy. And while we've tried to come to terms on a deal that would extend her [stay] on The View, we find ourselves unable to agree on some key elements."

Barbara Walters weighed in, "[Rosie] has given the program new vigor, new excitement and wonderful hours of television. I am very sad that ABC Daytime could not reach an agreement with her for a second year. We will all miss Rosie. She remains for me a cherished friend and colleague."

So who's up next for the revolving chairs on The View?

Jenny McCarthy Goes Back to Work

... even if it's just for a day. Besides being a Weight Watchers pitchwoman and Jim Carrey's girlfriend, it seems Jenny McCarthy hasn't been up to much lately. She is set to co-host ABC's The View on May 3rd. Knowing for saying exactly what's on her mind, Jenny is sure to give Rosie O'Donnell a run for her money.

Photo from AskMen.com

Rosie O'Donnell is Persona Non Grata

The folks over at American Idol are none too pleased with Rosie O'Donnell these days. Last week, on The View, Rosie said that American Idol is racist and weightist, for letting prior season's Frenchie Davis go after pornographic pictures of her surfaced, but letting this season's Antonella Barba stay. Yet Rosie is forgetting one big difference - Frenchie was paid for her pictures. Antonella's were stolen off her computer.

American Idol executive producer Nigel Lythgoe issued a statement about Rosie's accusations of Idol's double standard:

"Without wishing to add to the obvious self-promotion of Ms. O'Donnell, I feel as though I must refute her absurd and ridiculous claims that American Idol is racist and/or weightist. Ms. O'Donnell has, once again, spoken without thought or knowledge. Viewers need only look at the show tonight to realize that American Idol constantly confirms to America that talent has nothing to do with weight or color."

Yesterday, on The View, Rosie said that AI producers will no longer supply the gabfest with clips from their recent episodes, because of her comments.

Last night, after Antonella performed, Simon Cowell gave her credit for the swirling media circus around her pictures. "I feel for you because you've taken a lot of stick in the media, and you've handled yourself well. I don't think anyone should be thrown into that situation. I just wish you could sing better."

Photo from AmericanIdol.com

Star Jones Heads Back to Court TV

This sounds like a good fit to me - Star Jones is joining Court TV, according to the AP. The lawyer and former star of The View will have her own daily talk show about criminal justice issues. The untitled show will debut this fall.

Court TV is where Jones started her TV career in 1991. Here's what she had to say about her new gig:

"This is the perfect time in our culture to see how the law, politics and entertainment come together," Reynolds told The Associated Press. "Some people say it has been on a collision. I say it has been connected."

Photo from the AP.

Rosie to Leave The View After First Year?

Well, if the report at TV Week is accurate, then yes, View co-host Rosie O'Donnell will be leaving her seat on the ladies gab-fest in a move to go back to a one-woman show.

The contract that the controversial co-host of ABC's "The View" has with the network stipulates that she must first negotiate with a division of the Walt Disney Co. in good faith if she wants to strike out on her own with a new show, according to people familiar with the contract. Disney owns ABC.

Those same sources said they are confident Ms. O'Donnell will trigger that clause by spring or summer.

Attendees at the National Association of Television Program Executives conference this week in Las Vegas speculated that Ms. O' Donnell already had a handshake deal with Warner Bros. for a new show. A spokesman for Warner Bros. said there have been no negotiations. A spokesman for Endeavor, which represents Ms. O'Donnell, could not be reached for comment by press time.

With Rosie bringing The View's ratings back to a double digit increase, it certainly would be the perfect time for her to go back to having her own show.

Photo from The View.

Donald Trump v. Rosie O'Donnell ... Again

This will be the last time that the Glitter & Gossip offices cover the running feud between Donald Trump and Rosie O'Donnell. We will be happy to cover news of things that they're doing separately, but the constant picking that HE is doing will not be covered anymore. Phew ... feel better now.

Rosie just came back from a two-week vacation, and yesterday was her first day back to "The View."She mentioned that his attacks against her are upsetting her children. "Vivi is upset about it for sure. Blake said, 'Mama, he said the F word.'" As the audience gasped, Rosie explained that in her house, the "F word" is fat.

"The guy, he's obsessed with me, obviously," Rosie said.

"I love when people say you're fat -- like you don't know," she said. "It's always the first comment from someone who disagrees with you. 'You're fat!'"

And true to form, Donald fired right back: "Rosie, as usual, is misquoting me. I used the word 'slob,' I used the word 'degenerate' and I used the words 'not very smart.' The word 'fat' played a very small role, if any, in my description of her," he said in a statement released yesterday.

Barbara seems like she's also had enough, saying, "Everything he said about me is totally untrue."

And then Trump, of course, fired back to that as well. "Barbara lied, as she knows very well. She will have to live with herself. She admits to phoning me. Isn't it obvious to everybody that if she phoned me, she had to be saying what I've stated, not what she claims to have said."

Honestly, I get that he's trying to garner publicity for the newest season of The Apprentice, but this is so unnecessary. And, besides, according to People magazine, the feud isn't helping ratings anyway. Donald, man up already and quit whining. They're all acting like school children - enough already.

Photo from The View.

Newsstand Friday: Entertainment Weekly

In this issue:

A second opinion: Ken Tucker's top 10 series of 2006 - From "24" to "The View," here the 10 series EW's editor-at-large loved this year

TV series of the year: Gillian Flynn's picks From "The Wire" to "Heroes," here are the 10 TV shows that most impressed EW's critic in 2006

A second opinion: Owen Gleiberman's top 10 list - See the movies our critic loved this year, from a revamped Bond to a Pixar treat

The year's worst books: Jennifer Reese's list - EW's critic sums up the biggest literary disappointments of 2006

Paul Haggis remembers Robert Altman
Here's what the entertainment world will miss about the maverick director

The year's standout performers
The brightest new stars of 2006

The year's best performances
We name our picks for the most memorable moments of 2006

The worst TV shows of 2006
"Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip" and "My Super Sweet 16" make the list

Ray Romano remembers Peter Boyle
Here's what the entertainment world will miss about the versatile acting veteran

Donald Trump is like a Dog with a Bone

He just won't let go. And I'm sure it has NOTHING to do with the media attention he's getting from this. No, definitely not.

The war with him and Rosie O'Donnell goes on, but he's the only one doing the sparring now. Yesterday on The View, Rosie didn't say a word, just made a face, mimicing him. He, on the other hand, took a different route:

To the FOX News Channel, he said: "Barbara Walters, in my opinion rues the day she put that animal on her show."

To Good Day L.A.: "Maybe she wanted to put the crown back on Miss USA's head. I think she's very attracted to Miss USA so she probably wanted to put the crown on her head herself."

To the New York Post: "She's an extremely unattractive person who doesn't understand the truth. ? I think she's a terrible person. She has failed at everything she has done. She's a bully and she sucker punches people."

Yesterday, Barbara Walters released another statement saying: "Donald Trump is a personal friend of mine and has been a good friend to The View for many years. I'm sorry there is friction between Donald and Rosie. That said, I do not regret for one moment my choice to hire Rosie O'Donnell as the moderator of The View. I certainly hope and expect that this tempest will pass quickly."

Donald, move on already. Honestly, let it go.

Photo from ABC.

Star Jones Gets Job

She hasn't worked since she was forced off of The View, but Star Jones has finally landed a new job. "This is a new chapter, a new beginning. ... Absolute new Star," she said yesterday in a phone interview with The Associated Press. "(A) very happy, healthy Star whose connection is through her family, through her community and completely in touch with what matters in life."

She will be appearing as a guest host on "The Michael Eric Dyson Show," a syndicated talk show owned by Radio One that targets black and urban listeners. She'll be heard on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

"I'll try not to be nervous," she said. "I'll try not to let my voice squeak. I'm just like the rest of you and everybody else. That is the dirty little secret. ... I want people to know that I'm connected at the hip, right with them. I miss the opportunity to connect.

Photo from MSN.

Rosie O'Donnell Puts Her Foot In Her Mouth ... Again

Rosie O'Donnell has never been one to shy away from saying what she thinks ... it's just a question of who she upsets each time. Recently, it was Kelly Ripa, but now after the whole Danny DeVito debacle, she has upset an entire group, the AAJA (Asian-American Journalists Association).

On Thursday, Rosie was on "The View" and said that Danny DeVito's recent drunk appearance on the show a few days earlier was "international news! In China it was like, 'Ching chong, ching-ching-chong, Danny DeVito!'"

Yesterday, the AAJA said in a statement, "We consider this a mockery of the Chinese language and, in effect, a perpetration of stereotypes of Asian-Americans as foreigners or second-class citizens. The use of the distorted phrases is insulting to the Chinese and Chinese-Americans, and gives the impression that they are a group that is substandard to English-speaking people."

A rep for Rosie quickly fired back, "She's a comedian in addition to being a talk show co-host. I certainly hope that one day they will be able to grasp her humor."

Honestly, people, chill.

Photo from Page Six.