Are CNNers Leading the Pack for ‘The View’ Co-Host Spots?

By Jordan Chariton 

Cupp Hostin

It’s looking more like “The View” will have a cable news-infused makeover. First, as reported yesterday, MSNBC VP Bill Wolff is poised to take over as EP.

Now we’re hearing CNN “Crossfire” co-host S.E. Cupp and CNN legal analyst Sunny Hostin, who have already filled in on the show, have participated in private “chemistry tests” with returning co-host Rosie O’Donnell and sole-leftover host Whoopi Goldberg. TMZ reports O’Donnell and Cupp got into a “nasty” exchange over abortion during a test show yesterday. O’Donnell reportedly said she “didn’t want another Elisabeth Hasselbeck.”

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“Chemistry tests were conducted yesterday with Whoopi and Rosie,” a show spokesperson tells TVNewser. “The chemistry tests were intended to be confidential.  Any names out there were not released by the network nor will they be. No decisions have been made and there is nothing to announce at this time.”

It’s been a busy week at the show: Cupp and Hostin guest hosted together on Wednesday. And yesterday also included the taping of Sherri Shepherd and Jenny McCarthy’s final show, which will air Monday. Cupp was on CNN yesterday, from New York, around 3:45pmET, meaning the test show was likely conducted late morning/early afternoon. Also, Whoopi Goldberg was not a part of yesterday’s live show.

TMZ also reports Goldberg took a thinly-veiled shot at former co-host and original co-EP Barbara Walters:

After the taping … Whoopi — in front of producers and several potential replacement hosts — said she’d been “working with a cranky 85-year-old woman who’s mad about everything for 2 years, and I need a break.”

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