Elisabeth Hasselbeck Makes Surprise Return to The View as Guest Panelist
In a surprising television development, former co-host Elisabeth Hasselbeck is set to return to the popular daytime talk show The View as a guest panelist. The announcement comes despite well-documented public disputes between Hasselbeck and current co-host Joy Behar, adding an intriguing dynamic to the show's upcoming episodes.
Filling In During Maternity Leave
The proud conservative commentator will be one of several guest panelists temporarily filling the seat of Republican commentator Alyssa Farah Griffin, who is preparing for maternity leave following the birth of her first child. Hasselbeck's return marks a notable moment for the long-running ABC program, where she previously served as a co-host from 2003 to 2013.
"I'm excited to go back. I'm honoured that they asked me," Hasselbeck stated in a recent social media post. She added, "It's a really intelligent group of women," a characterization that contrasts with previous critical comments she made about the program.
History of Public Disputes
The announcement follows a particularly public disagreement between Hasselbeck and Behar that unfolded in January 2025. The conflict began when Behar criticized country singer Carrie Underwood's decision to perform at Donald Trump's second presidential inauguration.
Hasselbeck responded forcefully on social media platform X, writing at the time: "That @TheView @JoyVBehar needs to simmer down off my friend." She later accused Behar of "calling Carrie Underwood Un-American," though Behar had not used those exact words.
The former Survivor contestant continued to defend Underwood as an "incredible woman" and suggested Behar "could learn from her strength." The dispute escalated when Hasselbeck appeared on Sean Hannity's Fox News program, where she criticized Behar's commentary as "nothing more than selfish personal publicity-gaining right now."
Not the First Co-Host Conflict
Behar isn't the only former colleague with whom Hasselbeck has had public disagreements. In October 2025, Hasselbeck addressed comments made by Rosie O'Donnell regarding their legendary on-air confrontation in 2007, which prompted O'Donnell's first departure from the program.
O'Donnell had alleged that their heated exchange was "a setup" and "prepared" by then-producer Bill Geddie. Hasselbeck responded with emotional video messages, recalling that O'Donnell "made my entire morning miserable, fit-throwing, and then we got to the set and she went off."
Despite the tension, Hasselbeck extended an olive branch to O'Donnell, saying: "If you want to get together and talk, let's do it, come over and swim in my pool... We can have an open free dialogue about what we disagree on. I'll make you dinner, what do you want to stop the bullying?"
Guest Panelist Lineup
Alongside Hasselbeck, other guest panelists scheduled to substitute for Griffin include:
- Conservative commentator Abby Huntsman, who served as a full-time panelist from 2018 to 2020
- Political commentator Amanda Carpenter
- Comedian and talk show host Sheryl Underwood
- Comedian Whitney Cummings
- Television personality Savannah Chrisley
Hasselbeck has maintained occasional connections with The View since her departure in 2013. She returned as a guest co-host in 2022 and participated in the tribute episode for co-creator Barbara Walters in January 2023, following Walters' passing.
The upcoming guest appearances promise to bring renewed attention to the long-running talk show, particularly given the history between Hasselbeck and current panel members. Viewers will be watching closely to see how these professional relationships navigate past disagreements while addressing current topics in the show's signature Hot Topics segment.
