Elisabeth Hasselbeck to leave 'The View,' heading to Fox News
Elisabeth Hasselbeck is taking her view over to Fox News.
After shooting down rumors of her exit from 'The View,' it looks like Hasselbeck will depart from her seat on the daytime talker to set up shop over at 'Fox & Friends.' Wednesday is her last day on the long-running gabfest.
The departure of Hasselbeck, the conservative voice of the bunch, signals a changing of the guard on the talk show -- Joy Behar announced she'd be leaving at the end of the current season, and Barbara Walters announced she'll be retiring in 2014. It's a musical chairs more akin to prime-time singing competition shows. The announcement comes on the heels of reports that Jenny McCarthy is poised to take up Behar's spot at the end of the summer.
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In regard to the decampment of Hasselbeck from 'The View,' Walters offered this statement: 'We have had ten wonderful years with Elisabeth and she will now be swimming in new waters,' said the TV news veteran and show's creator. 'We will miss her and wish her everything good.'
No word yet on when the search for her replacement will begin. Part of ABC's statement of adieu thanked the former 'Survivor' contestant (never forget!) for her decade of participation. 'She stood behind her political views even if they were not the most popular opinions at the table, never shying away from voicing a difficult question. We thank Elisabeth and wish her luck as she begins this new chapter of her career.'
Hasselbeck joined 'The View' in 2003, and often sparred with her co-hosts -- most notably Rosie O'Donnell and Whoopie Goldberg -- on political issues.
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Hasselbeck will make the switch to cable later this fall, joining current 'Fox & Friends' co-hosts Steve Doocy and Brian Kilmeade. Meanwhile, current co-host Gretchen Carlson has landed her own one-hour signature daytime series, which will also debut this fall.
FOX News Chairman and CEO Roger Ailes, who made the announcement, commented on the move: 'Elisabeth's warm and engaging personality made her a star on 'The View,'' Ailes said. 'She has proven to be an excellent conversationalist and I am certain she will make a great addition to our already successful morning franchise.'
The reshuffling on the cable news network comes a week after it announced Megyn Kelly, its longtime anchor of its popular daytime show 'America Live,' would be receiving her own evening show when she returns from maternity leave. Details on that transition are still under wraps. The move, of course, left room open for a 'Fox & Friends' personality to headline her own show -- in this case, Carlson.
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