Ana Navarro Breaks Silence On Rosie O’Donnell’s Dicey ‘The View’ Return: ‘Above My Pay Grade’

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Rosie O’Donnell’s uncertain return to “The View” has caused a lot of buzz online, and Ana Navarro is finally weighing in on the situation. Her response, however, may be a little surprising. 

O’Donnell’s first stint on the talk show lasted a year, from 2006 to 2007, when she served as moderator. She then returned in 2014 for a second stint as co-host for about 5 months. 

With the much-anticipated 30th season in view, there has been a lot of talk about whether the longtime TV personality will make an appearance. Now, Navarro is addressing the situation. 

Rosie O’Donnell’s ‘The View’ Return Is Above Ana Navarro’s Pay Grade

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O’Donnell’s team had previously claimed that Navarro mentioned a possibility of O’Donnell making a guest appearance on the milestone season of the hit daytime program. 

Speaking to Entertainment Weekly about her new “Bleep! podcast,” Navarro, when asked about the allegations, answered, “That’s above my pay grade. I just sit at the table. I don’t do the bookings.” 

She also added that “there are a bunch of different things going on to mark and celebrate the 30 years of The View.” Still, Navarro had a lot of love for her former colleague, referring to O’Donnell as a very memorable part of the history of “The View.” 

Rosie O’Donnell Confirmed She Will Return To ‘The View’ For 30th Season 

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Fans may recall that O’Donnell mentioned on “The Tangle” podcast in August that she would be making a return.

“I will go on the 30th anniversary,” she said, as reported by The Blast, sharing her willingness to participate alongside a wider roster of former panel members. The comedian, however, emphasized her appearance would be as a visiting guest, not as a permanent co-host. 

“The View” alum had a lot of praise for the evolution the daytime staple had gone through since her time there. She gushed about how they addressed political issues, also noting that the set environment had changed, describing her own experience as a high-stress workplace where talent felt disposable, and security was thin. 

O’Donnell also referred to the show’s former dynamic as flawed, as it was designed for women but overseen by male executives who dictated topic selection. 

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Rosie O’Donnell Received No Formal Ask To Return For ‘The View’ 30th Season 

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The “Find Me” author’s statement drew a lot of attention, but reports quickly surfaced saying the decision was far from being finalized. The Blast confirmed that producers had no current plans to bring O’Donnell back. 

A rep for the Emmy-winning host clarified, “There was a mention of inviting some of the hosts back to ‘The View.” Before adding, “There has not been a formal ask from the show at this time.” 

As for the conflicting information, the rep noted that Navarro “mentioned [to O’Donnell] coming to Season 30 of The View as a guest (at some point during the season).” However, nothing was finalized yet. 

Sherri Shepherd Was Confirmed As  A Guest For The 30th Season

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While no official offer has come to O’Donnell, another alumnus, Sherri Shepherd, was confirmed as a guest for the season. 

Shepherd served as a permanent co-host from 2007 until her departure in 2014. She has still frequently visited the show since her exit. 

She openly shared her experience 12 years ago, including the tough experience she had with founding host Barbara Walters, who also reportedly made her cry. Shepherd clarified it was all with good intentions, as Walters helped her find her voice, according to The Blast.

Why Whoopi Goldberg Considers Leaving ‘The View’ All The Time 

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Away from O’Donnell’s return, longtime host Whoopi Goldberg’s future at the daytime program has come into question after confessing she has thought about leaving the show. 

Goldberg has served as moderator since 2007, a two-decade-long stint, but it seems she’s ready to hang up her boots.

As reported by The Blast, the “Ghost” actress shared she considered leaving because her opinions were often dissected by millions of people, oftentimes taken out of context. 

“One of the things that you have to know about this job, and it’s really hard,” Goldberg revealed. “Disagreement can come from anywhere, for any reason, and really nobody wants to hear your reasoning or your truth of why you thought this way. It’s just easier — people want to be mad; they’re mad.”

The Ana Navarro Breaks Silence On Rosie O’Donnell’s Dicey ‘The View’ Return: ‘Above My Pay Grade’ first appeared on The Blast