Following the departures of Rosie Perez and Nicolle Wallace, producers for “The View” hope the addition of two Christian conservative co-hosts will help improve ratings for the upcoming 19th season of the ABC talk show.
Wallace, a liberal Republican who lacked chemistry with peers during her lone season on the show, and Perez, an actress-turned activist who routinely sparred with others on the topic of race during her brief stint, both confirmed they would be leaving in July.
With the show failing to draw in viewers, a source tells Page Six Candace Cameron-Bure, formerly of “Full House,” has been hired in a desperate attempt to feature a “controversial conservative” personality, similar to that former co-host Elisabeth Hasselbeck, who left “The View” in 2013, and quickly landed a gig at Fox News.
As a recent guest, Cameron-Bure shocked lesbian co-host Raven-Symoné when she defended the owners of a bakery that refused to make a wedding cake for a gay couple. Showrunners reportedly hope future disagreements between the pair will emulate the once-famed verbal spouts between Hasselbeck and Rose O’Donnell.
The source told Page Six: “That’s the kind of stuff they love. The producers want her opposing Raven, because it’s great for ratings and keeps them in the news.”
ABC’s Paula Faris, the weekend co-anchor of “Good Morning America,” will also be joining the show as a full-time co-host, but will serve as the show’s token journalist.
Both Cameron-Bure and Faris have been open about faith.
On “Dancing with the Stars” in 2014, Cameron-Bure told the show’s viewers, “I’m a Christian. My life revolves around my relationship with Jesus Christ.”
Faris has also been open about being a Christian.
In addition to Cameron-Bure and Faris, the show will also bring in up to six contributors, likely including Stacy London, Sherri Shepherd and Molly Sims, and the show will return to Barbara Walters’ original vision, which is having five women from different generations discussing current events.
The 19th season of The View will premiere in September.
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