‘The View’ Eyes Monica Lewinsky for Guest Co-Host, Cast Changes Not Yet Imminent

The powers that be at The View have their sights set on Monica Lewinsky — but not for the long term.

A source close to the show tells The Hollywood Reporter that producers at the daytime talker are hoping to bring Lewinsky on as a guest co-host. However, the source denies a report Wednesday by the Daily Mail that longtime View executive producer and former co-host Barbara Walters wants Lewinsky to take a more permanent seat at the table.

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The former White House intern was invited to serve as a guest co-host following her successful TED Talk on March 19 about cyberbullying and the price of fame. After more than a decade of avoiding the limelight following her affair with President Bill Clinton, Lewinsky slowly has been moving back into the public eye with appearances like giving a TED Talk and writing a guest column for Vanity Fair last June.

Sources say The View is still a month or two away from making any cast decisions for next season, but producers are looking at going back to five female co-hosts instead of only the current four.

The rumors come during a tough stretch for The View, which underwent an extensive overhaul last summer that included a new executive producer, set, logo and two new co-hosts. Rosie Perez was rumored to be leaving just six months into her new gig (she ended up staying), but Rosie O’Donnell abruptly exited in February, citing health and personal reasons, namely her divorce. CBS’ rival, The Talk, beat The View in overall viewers for the first time in January.

Marisa Guthrie contributed to this report.

Email: Kate.Stanhope@THR.com
Twitter: @katestanhope