Maybe it’s just me, but every time I tune into ABC’s “The View” another co-host is announcing that she will be departing the show to “start another chapter of her life.” Today, it was Star Jones Reynolds’ turn.
Jones Reynolds announced Tuesday morning that she will be leaving the show in July, after nine years as a co-host. “Something’s been on my heart for a little bit, and after much prayer and counsel I feel like this is the right time to tell you that the show is moving in another direction for its tenth season and I will not be returning as co-host next year,” she said on the air.
“That’s shocking to me,” interrupted co-host, Joy Behar. Shocking?! Are you kidding me? Where has Behar been? I don’t live or work anywhere near Jones Reynolds, but even I knew that her days on the show were numbered after the show announced that Rosie O’Donnell would be replacing Meredith Vieira (who has already departed to replace Katie Couric on the Today show) on “The View” in the fall.
Months ago, O’Donnell made derogatory remarks about Jones Reynolds, saying that she did a disservice to herself and other “fatties” by talking about losing more than 100 pounds through diet and exercise without talking about gastric bypass surgery. But, contrary to reports that she couldn’t stomach the thought of working alongside O’Donnell, Jones Reynolds told PEOPLE magazine, “I feel like I was fired.” She goes on to say that it wasn’t her decision not to return for the show’s tenth season. “What you don’t know is that my contract was not renewed for the tenth season,” she tells PEOPLE. She went on to say, “I’m not sure what the future holds, but I’m absolutely sure who holds the future.” Jones Reynolds then thanked the show’s creator Barbara Walters, “for giving me the opportunity of a lifetime.”
Personally, I had no problem with Star Jones Reynolds. Then again, I have always enjoyed Rosie O’Donnell as well… though I wonder how challenging it will be for her to be a part of an ensemble cast after nearly a decade hosting her own show. I have seen her during her stints as guest co-host on “The View” and it always seemed like she struggled to keep her comments brief enough to allow the other co-hosts a chance to contribute to the discussion. I wish Star well and will figure out a way (even if it means taping it) to watch “The View” when Rosie makes her debut in September.