Could This Former Co-Host Replace Meghan McCain On The View?

Meghan McCain announced during the July 1 episode of "The View" that she was stepping back from the show to focus on her family, among other things. As People reported, the controversial host, who joined the beloved talk show permanently in October 2017, admitted it wasn't an "easy decision," noting plenty of "thought and counsel and prayer" went into making it, but in the wake of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, McCain realized what was truly important.

An insider said, "ABC did want her to stay, but it was her decision for quite a few reasons that she said in her statement — that she made the decision along with her family that it was her time to step back." McCain followed up with a cryptic Twitter post about how she refuses to be boxed in and prefers to take chances instead. According to the source, traveling between her home base in Washington DC and "The View" offices in New York was proving increasingly difficult.

ABC wished McCain the best in a goodbye statement, but just a few days later, rumors are already swirling about who could replace her.

According to Daily Mail, none other than former "View" co-host Debbie Matenopoulos is being courted to replace Meghan McCain, according to an ABC insider. The 25^th season airs next year, and the network is looking for Matenopoulos to make her "triumphant return" to the show — of which she was one of the original hosts alongside fellow icons Barbara Walters, Meredith Vieira, Star Jones, and Joy Behar back in 1997 — to coincide with it. However, the insider also hinted at further shake-ups besides McCain's departure. Either way, though, Matenopoulos is considered the ideal fit for the show's bumper anniversary year. 

Although Matenopoulos only co-hosted for two seasons, she's frequently popped up as a guest host in the years since and is widely considered a much stronger performer nowadays. "Over the past 20 plus years she has blossomed, she's married, has a child, is a successful television host and she now could hold her own at The View's table, day after day," the source noted. Further, she shared an easy rapport with the other ladies that could likely be replicated with the current cast (Whoopi Goldberg, Joy Behar, Sara Haines, Sunny Hostin, and Ana Navarro). The audience for the talk show has grown exponentially, too.

All things considered, the insider enthused, "It would be a great blast from the past and Debbie certainly has the experience and wit to return to the table and reclaim her seat."