The daytime talk show circuit received a hefty blow when Sherri Shepherd and Jenny McCarthy announced their exits from “The View.”
People close to Shepherd have known for months that she was planning to go, as well as producers on the show. The 47-year-old comedian and actress urged to keep the news on the hush because she didn’t want to disrupt the attention focused on Barbara Walters’ retirement.
“It’s been seven wonderful years on The View and after careful consideration it is time for me to move on. I am extremely grateful to Barbara Walters and (executive producer) Bill Geddie for giving me the opportunity,” Shepherd said in a written statement. “I look forward to the business opportunities that lay ahead for me and I am incredibly grateful to my View family and my fans for supporting me on this journey.”
ABC received word of McCarthy’s departure in an email to USA Today, which included her own written statement. “The View will be moving in an exciting new direction next season and ABC has made decisions to evolve the show creatively.” The dynamic duo both also took to social media to announce their exit from the long-running daytime talk show.
“If Sherri goes … I go too,” Jenny McCarthy wrote on Twitter. “My View will be changing too … Thanks to everyone at the show for your dedication and an amazing year.”
According to IMDB, Sherri Shepherd is currently filming the Chris Rock-directed comedy, “Finally Famous,” which will also star Rosario Dawson, Kevin Hart, and Gabrielle Union.