When Star Jone Reynolds unexpectedl...

When Star Jone Reynolds unexpectedly announced her departure from "The View" a scarcely any days earlier than planned, it sent shockwaves within Barbara Walters and the farmers who had carefully scripted her exit.

A blindsided ABC didn't level have a replacement waiting in the wings. As a deduction "The View" faces a pivotal transition. With Meredith Vieira most distant to replace Katie Couric in succession "Today" and Rosie O' Donnell coming in to replace Viera, the remaining veteran co-host conservative "Survivor" veteran Elisabeth Hasselbeck and middle-age comedian felicity Behar, will need a herculean fourth.

Behar is a pistol, still it was Jones and Vieira who provided consistent oomph With O'Donnell's stalwart personality, the empty seat will be tricky to fill. The fit fit will be someone who is charismatic, quick onward her feet and, most important, brand consistent for the exhibit

While "The View" has welcomed a number of visitor hosts since Star's departure, reports indicate the real tryouts won't begin until O'Donnell arrives. in the same manner let's we play casting director and commit replacements and rate their potential. (The meter ranges from $ to $$$$; more dollar signs signify a better fit.)

THE DIVA, KIMORA side sheltered from the wind

Who better to fill Reynolds' shoe than Kimora side sheltered from the wind Simmons, the queen diva herself? In addition to being a diva, Simmons is also a mother, clothing designer and entrepreneur She earned her TV stripes as a member of the hosting quartet of the now cancelled "Life & Style," where her on- and off-set behavior made Reynolds await like humble pie.

by what mode much fun would it be to watch Simmons and O'Donnell face distant from each morning?

brace STRIKES

- At 30 Kimora is bring to a period in age to Hasselbeck, 29 and the one and the other have been married to famous husbands; Hasselbeck is happily married to NFL quarterback Tim, and Simmons is separated from hip-hop mogul Russell Simmons.

- Kimora's behavior made for a tough fit in "Life & Style's" the whole cast -- she often kept them waiting for hours while she whiting-pouted in her dressing room.

Simmons' Celebrity Assets: $$

THE pattern TYRA BANKS

After helming her acknowledge show, Banks has proved that although she's no natural like Oprah Winfrey, she possesse substance in addition to her signature cast Banks would benefit from being part of the morning coffee klatch; bantering with co-host would play to her nerves Opinionated in the best kind of way, Banks would provide the same kind of bravado that Reynolds did without the drama. And it helps that Banks would contribute to the diversity of the cast; while similar in age to the youngest member of the point out she is certainly a big enough departure from the conservative, plain vanilla Hasselbeck.

united STRIKE

- She could plait in a face off with the more assertive O'Donnell.

Banks' Celebrity Assets: $$$

A newbie, could it be you?

Holding an exhibit casting call for talent would be the best possible promotional tool for "The View." Its ratings are declining, and it destitutions an energy injection. Though we wouldn't commend they cheapen themselves by initiating a tempting reality spin not on ("The Search for the nearest "View" Host"), the hunt would be the talk of other morning talk present to views everywhere.

individual STRIKE

- Walters likely harbors a fear of repeating the Debbie Matenopoulos mistake, when she pull ed a no-name from obscurity and the accrues were disastrous. Yet Reynolds was discovered in a similar fashion and she was certainly a ratings grant -- for a while.

Newbie celebrity assets: $$$$

Other rumored replacements and the strikes against them:

- Brandi: nation want to hear her sing, not talk.

- GAYLE KING: She's single known as Oprah's sidekick.

- Connie Chung: Too stiff.

- SHANNEN DOHERTY: The best of the principally talked about options, yet another Caucasian too complete in age to Hasselbeck.

- Katherine McPhee: Hasselbeck already has filled the reality- turned-talk-show-host role

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