The View wanted to avoid having another Meghan McCain at the table
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Producers clearly love what Alyssa Farah Griffin for what she brings to “The View.” But we hear they also love her for what she doesn’t bring: toxic drama.
“They did not want another Meghan McCain,” multiple sources told Page Six.
On Tuesday, all fingers pointed to Griffin as the new co-host to join Whoopi Goldberg, Joy Behar, Sara Haines, Sunny Hostin and Ana Navarro at the table.
A spokesperson was coy about the decision, telling us, “We do not have a co-host announcement to make at this time,” but insiders told Page Six Griffin is a favorite among the other hosts and ABC brass.
“Alyssa has a lot of fans at ABC and [ABC News president] Kim Godwin likes her,” one source said.
Griffin was one of several rotating co-hosts who filled in this season after McCain’s untoward exit from the show last summer.
As Page Six reported at length, McCain had a reputation for inspiring tension and conflict both on air and behind the scenes, which divided viewers and wasn’t good for morale on set.
“She adds a nice dynamic to the table and good conversation,” they said about Griffin.
Still, it’s been a tough year finding the right conservative fit for the show in a post-Donald Trump era, they claim. Comedian Wanda Sykes reportedly pulled out of an appearance after her publicist learned that Griffin, a former Trump press aide, would be a part of the panel.
“[The show has] have a good chunk of conservative viewers, so they need that balance – especially because they tend to slant in the other direction,” the first source admitted.
They added that producers hope Griffin will become a fan favorite like past right-wing host Elisabeth Hasselbeck and Christian conservative Candace Cameron Bure.
“People loved them – viewers, audience members and the hosts. They hope to recreate that,” the source said.
And, “they want young! A young, palatable conservative.”
A rep for the show did not comment.
Our insider, however, told us we should expect an official announcement about their new co-host before the season ends next week.
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