“The View” brought out the fanfare and confetti on Monday’s telecast to celebrate the official announcement that Michelle Collins will be a co-host when the show’s 19th season begins in September.
Collins will make regular appearances on the show until the break for its summer hiatus in early August. She comes to “View” as it is still trying to find its footing following the departure last year of creator and exec producer Barbara Walters.
This season, “View” has had plenty of turbulence with Rosie O’Donnell leaving just a few months into the season and Rosie Perez confirming her departure last week after just one season at the table. Raven- Symone was hired just last month as another permanent co-host.
“These past few months have been the most fun and exciting of my career, and I couldn’t be happier to join such an awesome, smart, accomplished and funny group of women,” Collins said. “It’s been my dream to host a talk show, and the fact that I now get to do just that every day with an amazing, hard-working team of producers, writers, cast and crew is beyond my wildest expectations. Many thanks to the people at ABC for inviting me to be a part of this team, and specifically to the great Barbara Walters and Whoopi Goldberg, whose support has meant the world to me.”
Collins is a multi-hyphenate who is known for her appearances on VH1’s “Walk of Shame Shuttle,” NBC’s “Today,” the syndie talk shows “The Wendy Williams Show” and “The Tyra Banks Show.” She spent six years as managing editor of VH1’s “Best Week Ever” website and made appearances on the TV series of the same name. She’s also a contributor to Vanity Fair and Elle.
“She is lightning quick, has strong opinions and is wickedly funny. Our entire staff is looking forward to her joining the show,” said “View” exec producer Bill Wolff.
