Katie Couric replacing Barbara Walters on “The View?” Not so fast, according to ABC.
The New York Daily News reported that Couric may be the next member of the long-running daytime talk show.
Also read: Jenny McCarthy’s ‘The View’ Debut: 4 Standout Moments
But a spokesperson for ABC told TheWrap, “There is absolutely no truth to this rumor whatsoever, it’s completely erroneous.”
And Couric herself tweeted:
@eventsbeyond Thanks! It’s totally not true and crazy how complete falsehoods get repeated. The world we live in I guess!
— Katie Couric (@katiecouric) September 13, 2013
The report claimed that the transition could be as seamless as it comes. If “Katie” does not continue beyond the fall, it would leave plenty of time for Couric to join the remaining ladies when Walters departs.
But Walters denied the report to the newspaper too. She said, “I love Katie and we are good friends. She is always welcome as a guest on ‘The View’ and I was recently a guest on her show, but there is no truth to the rumor that she will be taking my place on ‘The View.’”
But even the rumors of “Katie” going away are baseless, according to a person close to the show.
The person told TheWrap, “This speculation is based on it being back for 4 days.” Adding, “It is total nonsense to judge anything based on that period of time.”
Though reports from earlier this year suggested that Couric was not happy with the direction of “Katie.” And speaking of revolving doors, the executive producer chairs at the talk show have been seen their share of different occupants as well since the program began. Original EP Jeff Zucker left for CNN and his co-EP, Michael Bass, followed suit. Zucker’s replacement, Michael Morrison was replaced by Rachel Miskowiec.
As for “The View,” turnover recently has been high. Barbara Walters announced her semi-retirement for Summer 2014, Elisabeth Hasselbeck jetted for “Fox & Friends” and original panelist Joy Behar left in August.
In terms of talent coming in, Jenny McCarthy joined the program earlier this month. Sherri Shepherd and Whoopi Goldberg remain.