Jenny McCarthy has declared she will never return to The View — even for reunions — emphatically stating, "Over my dead body would I ever step foot in that place."
The former co-host (Season 17, 2013–2014) made the blunt refusal during an appearance last week on The Katie Miller Podcast, where producers had previously invited her back for special episodes.
McCarthy explained she was originally hired to inject a "light, fluffy, and fun" vibe, focusing on pop culture topics like Dancing with the Stars and The Bachelor, after the show was deemed too polarizing.
However, the tone shifted dramatically within a week to heavy political discussions — such as hostage situations and government policy — leaving her feeling unprepared and out of place. She joked she only knew reality TV winners, describing the year as "really difficult." At the time, she wasn't politically outspoken, though she now says she's become more so, crediting the current administration.
🚨 Fox News’ Joe Concha BLASTS ABC’s ‘The View’ as Jenny McCarthy says she’ll never return to the show as a host: “The most hateful, toxic, back-stabbing, duplicitous, phony group of people on the air that you will ever encounter in this business.” pic.twitter.com/ERErQ6syuu
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Her former co-host Sherri Shepherd supported these claims on her talk show Sherri, confirming "everything Jenny is saying is absolutely true." Shepherd recalled the initial plan for less politics after focus groups wanted a more chill, fun show, but producers quickly reversed course — even trying to make McCarthy look more knowledgeable by having her wear glasses, which Shepherd humorously called turning her into a "sexy librarian." Shepherd said she felt bad for her friend, noting McCarthy panicked in her dressing room over the sudden change.