A New View on ‘The View’?

May 23, 2007 was a major turning point for actress, comedienne Sherri Shepherd who was filling in as a guest co-host on ABC’s The View. On that day, Shepherd found herself in the eye of a maelstrom brewing between former co-host Rosie O’Donnell and Elizabeth Hasselbeck on the air. As the exchange grew more heated between O’Donnell and Hasselbeck, Shepherd pulled herself away from the hosting table, taking co-host Joy Behar with her. The quick thinking move proved to be a wise one for Shepherd who not only earned kudos mingled with a few laughs from the studio audience, but also earned a vote of confidence from viewers who blew up ABC phone lines and flooded email inboxes requesting that Sherri Shepherd fill the seat left vacant by Star Jones’ departure.

According to recent news reports, it looks like Sherri Shepherd will indeed become the next host of The View after almost a year of filling in as a guest host.  ABC has yet to confirm the reports, but if this is the case, then Shepherd will undoubtedly bring a new view to The View – a Christian worldview.

Elizabeth Hasselbeck is reportedly a Christian, but is more renown for her conservative politics rather than her spiritual bent.

If hired, would Shepherd who has both a Christian and mainstream comedy act, be expected to represent her faith and be vocal about her beliefs?  Would Shepherd be held to a higher standard by her fans?

Shepherd, a Chicago native, became a Christian after moving to Los Angeles.  She grew up in the Jehovah’s Witness religion, and since making the unapologetic conversion to Christianity, Sherri has incorporated her faith in many of her professional decisions.  For example, she opposes the gratuitous use of foul language and will not pose nude.

Should Sherri Shepherd become the next co-host of The View, then she will come aboard with a wealth of experience. The summer of 2007, alone has been very good for Shepherd who has screen credits in Transformers and Who’s Your Caddy? She has built a solid and progressive career as a sought-after character actress that has paid off in consistent work in film and television.  Moreover, she has a successful stand up comedy act.

Already announced to become the program’s new moderator of The View is actress, comedienne Whoopi Goldberg.  The View debuted in 1997 and celebrates its tenth anniversary this year.  Five co-hosts have left over the years; will Shepherd be named as the replacement for Star Jones? Stay tuned.