Sherri Shepherd Co-Signs Jenny McCarthy’s ‘The View’ Experience

After McCarthy recently opened up about her years on the daytime talk show, admitting it left her with no interest in ever returning, Shepherd is now weighing in with her own reflections from the hot topics table.

Shepherd and McCarthy served as co-hosts on the broadcast during the 2013-2014 seasons.

In a recent episode of her talk show, Shepherd reflected on her experience on the ABC show alongside McCarthy, recalling how the program suddenly shifted away from the lighter tone they had originally been hired to deliver.

“It’s no secret Jenny McCarthy hated being on The View,” Shepherd said in her broadcast, per Entertainment Weekly. “I remember the day they switched it to politics, Jenny came into my dressing room just like that. She goes, ‘Sherri, oh my God, what am I gonna do?’”

The 58-year-old confirmed that McCarthy’s recent remarks were “absolutely true,” explaining that producers initially recruited her after focus groups “wanted less fighting about politics.” 

However, the audience reversed course, pushing politics back to the forefront of the panel. Shepherd added that producers tried to reshape McCarthy’s image, as she began wearing glasses to make her appear like “she knows politics.”

Shepherd continued, pointing out that she “had the same problem as Jenny,” noting that when she joined the panel in 2007, the showrunners wanted someone relatable. 

 The “30 Rock” actress recalled that the tone then shifted to heavy political debates as Barack Obama ran for president.

She admitted this was challenging for her, as her strict religious upbringing had limited her understanding of broader social and political issues.

The comedian also revealed she often made mistakes and was even advised by Barbara Walters to “read a book” to help her adjust to the new demands of the show. Despite the setbacks, Shepherd described her time as both grueling and rewarding.

“Even though it was hard for me, I had the best time on The View. It was one of the best, hardest, most terrifying, most crying-filled experiences,” the TV personality admitted, declaring love for her colleagues at the panel.

Shepherd’s account came just two days after McCarthy shared her own perspective during an episode of “The Katie Miller Podcast.”

According to McCarthy, producers initially brought her on as a permanent panelist to provide lighthearted commentary on pop-culture topics such as “Dancing with the Stars.”

However, within a week, discussions centered on political and global issues became the order of the day. She recalled being suddenly expected to weigh in on complex matters like hostage negotiations and government policy, which were out of her comfort zone.

The 1994 Playboy Playmate of the Year admitted those years were “difficult,” though she noted she has since gained more knowledge about the subject thanks to the current administration.

When asked if she would ever consider returning for a reunion, McCarthy responded bluntly, “Over my dead body would I ever step foot in that place.”

McCarthy and Shepherd are not the only past panelists who have spoken candidly about their stint on the program. In October 2025, Rosie O’Donnell criticized the show’s producers, alleging they orchestrated her infamous clash with Elisabeth Hasselbeck.

According to The Blast, O’Donnell pointed to the producers’ decision to switch to a split screen without warning. She noted that Bill Geddie was typically careful to avoid surprises on live television, which fueled her belief that the confrontation was deliberately staged.

In 2023, Meghan McCain also voiced grievances, accusing her former colleagues of ongoing harassment even after her departure. As The Blast reported, McCain recalled an incident where Ana Navarro compared her to Hunter Biden, suggesting she had engaged in similar behavior.

While McCain rejected the comparison, she expressed frustration about what she sees as bullying, highlighting that she can hardly go a week without hearing her name brought up on the show.

Beyond her professional challenges, McCarthy has also been open about serious health issues. Last year, she revealed that she underwent nine oral surgeries after a failed ceramic dental implant caused recurring infections.

Per The Blast, the ordeal was so severe that she experienced memory loss and other alarming symptoms, including growths on her eyes.

Despite the ordeal, McCarthy expressed gratitude and excitement as the holiday season approached, choosing to focus on the positives while sharing her journey.