Jenny McCarthy says she would never 'step foot' on 'The View' again

According to Jenny McCarthy, she was hired to keep things light with fun topics like 'Dancing with the Stars' and 'The Bachelor'
PUBLISHED JAN 8, 2026
Jenny McCarthy appeared as a co-host during the show’s 17th season in 2013–2014 (Katie Miller Pod/YouTube)
Jenny McCarthy appeared as a co-host during the show’s 17th season in 2013–2014 (Katie Miller Pod/YouTube)

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Former 'The View' host Jenny McCarthy has categorically ruled out ever returning to the long-running daytime talk show.

McCarthy further recounted her days as a host, saying she would “never step foot on the set again” after what she described as a “difficult experience.”

Jenny McCarthy Says She'll Never Return to The View: 'Over My Dead Body Would I Ever Step Foot in That Place'
Jenny McCarthy said she'll never return to 'The View' (MediaVids/YT)

Jenny McCarthy shuts down any comeback

McCarthy, who served as a co-host on 'The View' during Season 17 from 2013 to 2014, made the remarks while appearing on the January 6 episode of 'The Katie Miller' Podcast.

When asked whether she could ever be invited back to the show, now in its 29th season, McCarthy did not mince words.

“But, back then? Ooh, I would not, I would never even,” she said. “They’ve asked me to come back for, like, reunion shows. I was like, over my dead body would I ever step foot in that place.”

McCarthy said she was originally brought onto the panel because producers felt the show had become “too polarizing” and wanted to shift the tone.

“The reason why they wanted to bring me on is because they, quote, said it was too polarizing. They thought it was too polarizing back then, you guys,” she said.

According to McCarthy, the plan was for her to offer “light, fluffy, and fun” commentary, focusing on entertainment topics like 'Dancing with the Stars' and 'The Bachelor.'

That vision, she said, collapsed almost immediately.

Barbara Walters in 'The View' (ABC)
Jenny McCarthy chats with Barbara Walters on 'The View' (Getty Images)

She explained that she did not consider herself political at the time, which initially made her feel like a good fit. 

“And back then, I didn’t consider myself to be a political person, which is why I thought I was perfect for the job,” she said.

McCarthy recalled being stunned when producers abruptly shifted the show’s focus. “After a week, when they said they wanted to get political, I was like, ‘Oh my God, what am I going to do?”  she said.

“They’re like, ‘today we’re going to be discussing the hostage situation and whether the United States government should pay the ransom or not.’ And I was like, ‘What?”  McCarthy added.

 “I’m like, ‘I just know who won Dancing with the Stars,” McCarthy said.

Criticism from former co-hosts extends beyond Jenny McCarthy

McCarthy is not alone in publicly criticizing 'The View' after her exit.

In March 2025, McCain said fellow former co-host Rosie O’Donnell was “the first person who warned me 'The View' is a cesspool.”

She made the comments on 'Your Welcome' podcast with Michael Malice.

McCain has also described the current panel as “crazy old people,” accused them of bullying her and likened her departure from what she called a “miserable” job to a bomb going off inside the building.

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