Sherri Shepherd to join 'The View'

By Matea Gold, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer

NEW YORK -- "The View's" table is going to be back at full capacity Monday when comedian Sherri Shepherd pulls up a chair as the daytime show's new co-host.

Less than a week after Whoopi Goldberg's debut, the ABC chatfest is set to bring on Shepherd as its fifth co-host, according to a person familiar with the situation.

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Barbara Walters, the program's grand dame and co-executive producer, would only say Wednesday that another panelist will officially be named to fill the seat that was vacated by Star Jones Reynolds in 2006.

"It's been empty for a year, but this Monday, Sept. 10, if you tune in, you will find that we have somebody else joining the panel permanently," Walters said during the program's Hot Topics segment.

"I was only here a day, you replacing me already?" exclaimed Goldberg, who succeeded Rosie O'Donnell as the show's moderator this season. "Oh my God, oh my God!"

"I should have said, 'not instead of, but in addition to,'" Walters responded.

Since Jones Reynolds' acrimonious departure, the position has been filled by a series of guest hosts, including Shepherd, who often enlivened the show with bawdy stories and sharp quips. The Los Angeles Times reported in July that ABC was in talks with the "Who's Your Caddy" actress to join the program.

Shepherd did not respond to an e-mail for comment, but on her personal website she suggests that fans e-mail Walters and executive producer Bill Geddie "to let them know that you'd like to see me more on The View (hint hint)."

matea.gold@latimes.com