CathinAZ

Ummmmmm.......no......autism does not just happen with 2 smart parents.......if you are interested in learning more about it, you might want to go to a reputable site and read up in it. Just a suggestion"Regarding the surrogate, I doubt Sal is stupid enough to have a girlfriend be the surrogate ( isn't she a professional woman and wouldn't need the money or want to be preggers?) but think there is a chance that he does in fact know the egg donor. The story is so bizarre that that would add to the crazy factor! Since Sal,wanted a son, I wonder if they were lucky on the first viable embryo the surrogate received, or if there was one or more female embryos that maybe were....discarded......

TMZ is reporting that Rosie's deal to return bars any of the other Co-hosts from being reality TV "stars". HALLELIUIA!!! From TMZ: "Rosie O’Donnell has been offered a “one-year, seven-figure deal” to rejoin “The View,” sources said — and she’s demanding a say on her co-hosts and absolutely no reality stars. Just days after we reported that ABC was reaching out to her, insiders tell us the deal is not confirmed but is “absolutely in progress.” We hear terms of her deal would include her appearing full-time on the show alongside Whoopi Goldberg, and O’Donnell will also get “approval over offers to other co-hosts.” But according to a source, Rosie wants a stipulation that no other reality stars can be slotted as co-hosts, (so Bethenny Frankel’s agent should stop pitching). The deal would bring O’Donnell back after a rocky exit in 2007 after just one season."

Just posted in Variety: ABC Looking For New Producers for The View "ABC Daytime execs are in the midst of a extensive search for new producers to take the reins of “The View” as the show prepares to replace most of its panelists for its 18th season. Industry sources say execs are reaching out to a range of producers with experience in daytime TV and news in an effort to inject “fresh energy” into the show. The new hires may well include a co-showrunner to work alongside founding “View” exec producer Bill Geddie. With all the on-air changes, the biz has presumed that Geddie would be giving up his day-to-day showrunner duties as part of the shakeup but ABC sources insist this is not the case. The hunt for new producers is mirrored by the show’s search for new faces to join moderator Whoopi Goldberg on the panel when the show’s new season begins Sept. 15. Barbara Walters, originator of the series, retired from the show in May, an exit that was planned for more than a year. But late last month word surfaced that Sherri Shepherd and Jenny McCarthy would not be returning in September. Rosie O’Donnell is set to return to the show where she had a volatile run in the 2006-07 season, and TMZ is reporting that she struck a deal on Tuesday afternoon with ABC to come back. Her appearance as a guest in February delivered a ratings bump, a number that did not go unnoticed by execs. The intensity of the search effort in the past two weeks for panelists and producers is a clear sign that network execs had not hammered out a plan for the post-Walters “View” at the time that Shepherd and McCarthy’s departures became public. “The View” makeover has become the top priority for ABC Daytime prexy Lisa Hackner and a big focus for incoming Disney/ABC Television topper Ben Sherwood. Sources say “View” is casting a wide net for prominent women to bring a culturally conservative perspective to the panel, as well as women versed in politics and comedy. O’Donnell would add a strong liberal voice to the panel. There has been much talk of the possibility that a man will join the panel as a regular. Sources caution that dozens of scenarios are under consideration, but there’s a strong feeling that the core “View” panel should remain all femmes in order to preserve the show’s “women talking to women” vibe. Shepherd and McCarthy will remain with the show through Aug. 8."

The legalities behind this surrogacy issue fascinate me. I would think the contract she and Sal signed with the surrogate to pay for her services, cover medical costs, etc. are still their obligation and Sherrie doesn't want to rid herself of those nor would a good attorney even suggest that. BUT I could see her not having an emotional attachment to the child since the sperm was sal's (he's the bio dad), the egg is NOT hers and - if what we all suspect is true -that she learned he had been fooling around on her throughout the marriage, never really committed to being in the relationship, helping with Jeffrey, actively seeking work, etc. And maybe he wasn't just lazy and content to be married to someone "famous" who would help him get a son but was also plotting all along to divorce her and seek spousal and child support. I wouldn't even put it past him to be slyly setting aside money during the marriage in a separate account for himself! I feel bad for the baby, but under those same conditions I am not sure I would want to raise the child and could ever properly bond with the child. And to expose Jeffrey and his fragile emotions to the situation is awful. What the law says with regards to all of this will be interesting...and does it vary state to state? If it had been her egg, then it would be a whole different story, she'd be the responsible bio Mom and I think her emotions would attach her to the kid, but since it wasn't her egg it's a different story. (This is kind of sick, but wouldn't it be despicable and sick if Sal really contrived to have one of his female "friends" donate the egg? And expect sherrie to provide child support for the child conceived by him and his girlfriend? )

Just happened to check TMZ and a few minutes ago they posted a story that "the deal us done". Rosie is officially joining the show and it will be announced "in a few days". Wow, I'm surprised she is coming back but hopeful that topics and discussions will be elevated above the fluff and silly skits that were introduced this year. I wonder if this means Bill Geddie will no longer be an on-set daily presence?

Wow, I'm surprised Rosie would consider returning, but I hope that, if she does, it is with the requirement that Bill Geddie is not on the set each day or actively controlling program content. I still think that to make the show interesting and set it apart from other "fluff content" talk shows (which it has devolved I to the past 2 or 3 years) one or two of the cohosts need a strong news or legal background AND the ability to discuss things civilly and factually.

Sherri mentioned returning to DWTS because she would LOVE that....great money, minimal, flexible "work" schedule with rehearsal and air time, she'd be in California, etc.

1. Oh my word Susieq147, you have coined the perfect epithet to describe The View for evermore: the show that "has been sliding downhill headed towords the cliff of irrelevancy for years". If only there was some way to have that phrase follow every time The View was mentioned in the media! 2. I taped and watched todays live show to see show the departures would be addressed. Sounds like both jenny and sherri explained their exits the way they wanted. Sherri did make a plug for being on a Dancing with the Stars All Star show - good, quick money for her! Sorry to see the weight creeping back on her. Good for sherri for not mentioning her personal issues off the show. I am fascinated about the legalities of her and sal's responsibilities for signing a contract with a surrogate using his sperm and another woman's egg and responsibilities for the baby, but hopefully TMZ, etc. will satisfy that need! 3. I like Ana Ortiz!

Really? Palin thinks she is known for her "real-life groundedness, candor and commonsense"? I thought she was known for just the opposite! But it makes sense that an attention seeking, uneducated loon, who promptly bailed on her elected job when she realized she could make more money doing other things rather than sticking out those last few months, would be interested in working at The View. It is a high paying, low hour job that provides a platform for whatever you want to promote (wacky views, books, wigs, appearances, etc )

I don't see either of those ladies wanting to work with bill Geddie. As long as he is around, his shadow is cast on the show.

I've seen her name on TV and in print, but have never seen Iyanla's show or know much about her but the book excerpts Cosmocrush mentioned above about her dealings and impression of bill g. is fascinating. He really is unlikeable and seems to enjoy throwing his weight around.

I recall in the first year or two that sherri started, when I was still watching pretty regularly, the panel was discussing some issue related to pregnancy and babies. Sherrie absolutely said that she had trouble conceiving naturally and had some eggs harvested and frozen. What eggs were not used when she conceived Jeffery (and wasn't there also a twin that sadly did't live? I may be confused on that) were frozen and she said she was paying a monthly fee to the fertility clinic for storing them. She hoped to use the eggs in the future to have a sibling for Jeffery. She also commented that, as a Christian, she could not imagine disposing of the frozen eggs, and called them her babies. (she didn't imply the eggs were fertilized) I recall a friend and I talked about that was a monthly expense ( frozen egg storage) that we never considered and how, if she never used the eggs that monthly bill could be quite an expense if you viewed getting rid of the egg as murder! My friend suggested that after a certain number of years a doctor could probably advise the frozen eggs would not be viable and that would ease someone's conscience about discarding the eggs. I wonder if she used all her frozen eggs in this latest surrogate situation, or if Lamar was concerned about Jeffery's medical conditions and wanted younger eggs to produce a magnificent specimen as his son?

Reading here to get everyone's insightful and witty comments on Sherrie's predicament. It's so funny what the latest news is on the July baby! If the news is true, it was Lamar's sperm but not Sherrie's egg but both signed contract with the surrogate. Seriously I am interested in how this plays out in court to see if legally sherrie can be held responsible for helping to support the child (after the surrogate fees and birth medical fees are paid) if it can be proved that lamar was despicable enough pursue having a baby while fooling around on Sherrie and intending to divorce. I can totally believe he was not faithful and saw 18 years of child support as his gravy train. And Maggiemay, I think you are on to something.....Barbara/Bill is probably salivating at the idea of exploiting this and interviewing Sherri for a 20/20.....it's so funny.

Ok, guess I need to tape Mondays show if it will be live to see how things are handled!

I am not a fan of robin thicke and find it hard to believe he is that popular. Wonder if he and his wife are in cahoots to "separate" for a few months to create interest, generate buzz, and up sales of his music and keep his name in the news. If they add a male cohost to the show it is no longer "The View" and they should change the name. I'm not against a male and female panel, but the dynamics would change the original concept for the show. I would love to seeMeredith's new show occasionally have a segment with a mini panel of female guests that discuss issues kind of like a mini version of The View in the olden days! I know barbara will take credit for it but that's the only hope I see in he future for an interesting, provocative talk show.

Wow, I haven't seen the show for a few days, but from what I'm reading here, sherri is really acting strange! Maybe because these were prefilmed, extra episodes and they are filmed after the day's live show was shot? Does she need caffeine or something else to get through those longer work days? Even is she knew her contract would not be renewed acting goofy and inappropriately doesn't seem like the smart thing to do. Just bizarre.

Sadly, there is nothing in the recent past very positive to talk about. The view was at it's best with cohosts that were intelligent, quick-witted, were tolerant of others opinions but could hold their own in discussions, knew when to inject humor but not enter into buffoonery and maintained the original vision of women of diverse ages discussing current topics. Those women were Meredith, Joy, lisa, barbara ( when she wasn't repeating herself), and to a lesser extent rosie, whoppie and Starr. They were at their best when some cohosts had journalism or news background and discussions tried yo be fair and discuss both sides of an issue in a meaningful way. I get that there needs to be a little pop culture, promoting of other ABC shows and stars and appealing to advertisers but the over emphasis oh reality shows, Kardashians, gosselin a and other crap has increased dramatically in recent years. The over emphasis on ABC products may have been because they were having trouble booking guests. Instead of hustling through several guests it would be great to go back to less guests and longer time slots devoted the guests and important topics being discussed. I taped the show regularly in the early years but, after hasselbeck had joined and about a year became hard to watch, I only saw it sporadically when there were guests I was interested in our the chat on TWOP ( and now here) got me interested to check it out. As long as TPTB make this a fluffy entertainment show that does not discuss relevant topics, it is just another blah, blah, chat fest and not must see TV in my book.

Are all "new" shows they will show in July and August just things that were pretaped in e past couple of months ? An article by Cindy Adams inThe New York Post kind of alludes to no shows being done live until the new season in September. So sherri and jenny have lots of free time to enjoy their summer. Whoppie is still under contract for another year, so she'll get paid whether ABC decides to include her in the revamped show or not. If they are going for a whole new format it will be interesting to see if they decide to keep her. Do any of you live in the NYC area and know if they are filming new daily shows?

Have you guys seen the article in The New York Post Cindy Adams column? I pasted it below. Cindy is one of Barbara's best friends and I think there is a lot of truth in the article! Looks like major changes come September! And even though Whoppie's still under contract, ABC might not have her be a part of the new relaunch...and she'd still be paid under her contract...good for her! "ABC means Always Be Changing. To review “The View,” the view looks cloudy: Joy Behar, axed. Meredith Vieira, whose career it revitalized, left. Hasselbeck, the blond right winger sports star’s wife, gone. Show’s creator Barbara retired. Minus notice, new addition Jenny McCarthy’s now a subtraction. Sherri Shepherd, fired. Also let go — its senior producer. Walters’ producing partner for 25 years, “View” co-creator Bill Geddie — iffy. On hiatus, the show’s due back September. With who? They need new staff. New cast. With ratings sliding, also new viewers. Couldn’t fire everybody so remaining only — Whoopi, who had a two-year pay-or-play contract. No stars, second stringers, are penciled in for the cast. You shouldn’t think Angelina Jolie. They’ve even burbled about refloating Rosie O’Donnell. And there’s Diane Sawyer, whose David Muir replacement’s p.d.q. Sept. 2. No last-minute decision. I heard of this months ago. Maybe they want everyone 12 years old. Maybe they feared losing Muir, who’d have other options. Their morning show lost its weatherman and second anchor. To stay happy, Stephanopoulos got big promises, big money and big assurances he’ll get the big interviews. Diane, not one to bolt the big picture anymore than Hillary, said she wants to do great stories, in-depth documentaries. What she’ll say, what they’ll say, what anyone will say down the line is a crapshoot."

Bonnie Hunt? YES! But she doesn't fit with the shows new direction of dumbing down the topics and content for their audience. I no longer tape the show and watch sporadically for its' snark value . . . I think many if us have stopped expecting anything interesting or valuable from the show....

LuckyBitch said she was curious about the March trip to LA that Sherrie,Sal and Jeffery took. I think that was the critical point. Something happened during that trip that "broke the camels back". Even though Sal wasn't contributing much at all financially to the marriage ( or even emotionally!) Sherrie seems like the type that would have wanted to work on salvaging things and working on the relationship. Even if she was unhappy that he wasn't able to ever land any writing jobs that provided some decent income (which I think he thought he would given the connections and contacts he would make through Sherrie...imagine his surprise when people were polite to him, but recognized his limited talent and weren't interested in hiring or working with him!) she could have him work on her Facebook, social media stuff, her bookings, etc. if he really tried to do that well (and consistently which he didn't....the stale information on her webpage shows that!) at least he'd be contributing to the family. I don't think he did that regularly and didn't get the sense that he was consistently that helpful when it came to Jeffrie's needs. The tweets from both of them prior to the trip were hopeful and alluded to some joint work projects they were seeking. Also about wanting to move back to california like they knew her contract wouldn't be renewed. She also tweeted a pic from the Game Show network offices during that trip which could have been where they were proposing a joint project ...and the network didn't bite. Who knows, but they were definitely heading out there to pursue a project they were both going to work on. Something happened during that LA trip. I wonder of Sal was supposed to go along with sherri for the side trip from LA for Kandi Burrisss' wedding? I'd bet he was but after things came to light, he bailed on it and Sherrie had a male friend be her plus one. Maybe evidence surfaced for sherri that Sal was clearly cheating on her and his earlier solo trips to the west coast in the past year for work were actually more to play behind her back. When this came to light either Sal or sherri made the decision that their relationship was irreparable. Sal knew the July baby was going to be his meal ticket (and may have been planning to divorce at some point anyway) and decided to file for separation. Sherri, hopefully, spent some time getting excellent legal advice and forming a long term strategy with her legal team. For her sake and Jeffries sake I hope she comes out of this OK. The impact this crap is having on her son is very sad. Wonder if her ex was planning to seek full custody of Jeffrey for a while or if it's something he cooked up along with Sal or just on his own when he saw what was happening and thought it would be a good time to try and hit sherrie when she was down and maybe increase the amount of money he receives from her. The whole thing is soap opera worthy and sad. I've spent way too much time speculating on how bizarre Sherri's life has been the past few months!

Interesting....would Diane sawyer even be interested...she has the gravitas and smarts to discuss issues like Meredith did......hmmm

Contradictory formation out there about Geddie. One article says he's gone, another says he stays on as exec. Producer. I'm betting that the truth is he's staying (unfortunately). Sounds like ABC will be "evolving" the show so it will come back as a totally different animal in the Fall. The successful format of smart women of different ages discussing issues will be discarded (why? That's what made the show unique and interesting!). The show was at it's height and it' she's t when Meredith, Joy and Lisa were all on. It will be a total fiasco next year, never to return to my TV screen or DVR recording schedule. I haven't been taping regularly for a couple of years anyway. All good things must come to an end....sigh....I was hoping for an intelligent panel of diverse women again

Haven't watched the show for a while, and , lucky me, was home and decided to turn it one today and I get cohost Jerry ( a little better than I remember him being, but obviously they must not be able to get anyone better) and Trump ( Blech - pompous blowhard). I laughed out loud when he commented that when he saw a photo of the released military guy's father he said "WHOA! What have we here?". Has he not looked in the mirror at his own cotton candy hair? Making fun of the dad's long beard ( which I am guessing was what he meant?) was just stupid. And good for Whoppie for mentioning that the guy may have mental issues when trump called him a traitor. Trump didn't really have a good response to that. Maybe next time I decide to tune in I'll be rewarded with better guests! Fingers crossed....

She's bbbaaaaaaaaaacckkk! From todays New York Daily News: "Just about three weeks after hanging up her microphone, Barbara Walters is coming out of retirement to interview Peter Rodger, the father of Elliot Rodger, the 22 year old who killed six people, injured 13, and then committed suicide near the campus of the University of California, Santa Barbara last month. The broadcasting legend, had been on vacation while ABC producers, like many other news outlets, were pursuing the interview -- but Rodger, a Hollywood producer whose credits include “The Hunger Games” specifically requested to speak to Walters, network sources said."