EXCLUSIVE: A Tale of Two Rosie’s– News is spreading that actress Rosie Perez and conservative speaker Nicolle Wallace are joining “The View” when it returns on September 15. Whoopi Goldberg and Rosie O’Donnell are already set as co-captains of the show. But I can tell you that when “The View” goes live on the 15th, Barbara Walters will definitely be there. Only she will be backstage in her role as executive producer.
“She will not appear on the set,” says a source. This is such a mistake, in my opinion. Barbara should be right there, at least once a week, as a guiding force. She still owns part of the show, although I’m told she sold part of her ownership to ABC and now has just 17%. Her controlling interest is gone. But ABC can’t completely ice her out, so Walters will be allowed to act as an executive.
Oh well, no one wants to see old people on the air, even if they know a lot. The Wallace deal is gone, I’m told. The Rosie Perez deal is taking more time because Perez had already agreed to star on Broadway in Larry David’s play “Fish in the Dark.” Can she do both jobs from mid January through May or June? She certainly won’t be able to be on “The View” on Wednesdays, when the play would have a matinee. I am assured that it can all be done.
Let me say this about Rosie Perez: she’s so smart and funny, and one of my favorite people. That she is now in such high demand is really terrific. Viva Rosie! Viva all Rosie’s!
