Former model and television personality Jenny McCarthy has made a definitive statement about her time on the popular US talk show The View, declaring she would never return to the programme. The 53-year-old star, who recently discussed marital challenges with husband Donnie Wahlberg, opened up about her brief tenure as a host during the show's 17th season in 2013-2014.
A 'Light and Fluffy' Hire That Turned Political
Speaking on Tuesday's episode of The Katie Miller podcast, McCarthy recalled that she was initially hired to bring 'light, fluffy, and fun' content to the daytime show. She joined a panel that included Whoopi Goldberg, Sherri Shepherd, and the late Barbara Walters, the show's creator. McCarthy, who did not consider herself a political person at the time, believed she was a perfect fit for the role intended to counterbalance the show's polarising reputation.
However, this arrangement was short-lived. 'After a week, when they said they wanted to get political, I was like, "Oh my God, what am I going to do?"' McCarthy explained. She admitted that the abrupt pivot to heavy political commentary made 'getting through that year' very 'difficult.'
'Over My Dead Body': A Firm Rejection of Reunions
The actress and author was unequivocal when asked if she would ever consider a return, even for reunion specials. 'They've asked me to come back for, like, reunion shows,' she revealed. 'I was like, over my dead body would I ever step foot in that place.'
This sentiment echoes previous revelations. In a 2018 appearance on Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen, McCarthy claimed producers asked her to 'act Republican' to provide a different viewpoint after she was initially brought on as the 'pop culture girl'. She reiterated this story on Cohen's SiriusXM show last July, adding that she had wanted to be fired from the show. Her wish was granted in what she described as a 'massacre' that saw several hosts, including Sherri Shepherd, let go.
Sherri Shepherd Confirms the Story
Shepherd herself addressed McCarthy's latest comments on her own talk show, Sherri, confirming the account. 'It's no secret Jenny McCarthy hated being on The View,' Shepherd stated, recalling the day the format changed. 'She goes, "Sherri, Oh my God, what am I gonna do?" And I looked at her, I said, "What are you gonna do? What are we gonna do?"'
Shepherd explained that McCarthy was hired after focus groups requested less political fighting and more fun, chill content. She even remembered McCarthy wearing glasses on air in an attempt to look more knowledgeable about politics, quipping, 'all she looked like was a sexy librarian.' Shepherd expressed she 'felt really bad for my friend' during that tumultuous period.
Since her exit from The View, Jenny McCarthy has remained a prominent television figure, most notably serving as a judge on the hit singing competition The Masked Singer since 2019. She is a mother to son Evan, 23, from her previous marriage to John Asher, and has been married to actor and singer Donnie Wahlberg since 2014.
