Sara Haines is rejoining “The View” as a co-host.
ABC on Friday announced the fan favorite will return to the daytime talk show for Season 24, premiering Tuesday.
Haines was previously on The View from 2016 to 2018, and departed to join the network’s GMA 3: Strahan, Sara and Keke. After the show was canceled earlier this year, Haines has filled in from time to time following the departure of Abby Huntsman.
In an interview, senior executive producer Hilary Estey McLoughlin said that Haines “is great in either place, which is rare to have somebody who is able to deal with such complex topics that we talk about on The View, and give a perspective that is smart. She brings a lot of zest to the conversation, in addition to being very relatable at the same time.”
Brian Teta, the show’s executive producer, said that Haines “brings such a thoughtful viewpoint and such warmth and energy and humor, all things that make a lot of sense to have her back at the table.” Variety first reported on Haines’ return to the show.
Co-host Meghan McCain plans to go on maternity leave and will be on The View at the start of the season. When she goes on leave, Teta said that they will not have a replacement “but we will have a lot of good guests on the show and maybe a couple of surprise guest hosts.” He said that they want to make sure “that we have every viewpoint accounted for, including the conservative side.”
As the new season starts on Tuesday, the show also is unveiling a new logo, and has lined up a number of political and news figures as guests. During premiere week they include Sarah Huckabee Sanders, the former White House press secretary; Stephanie Winston Wolkoff, the former aide to First Lady Melania Trump; Jane Fonda, John Kasich and Robin Roberts. As he gets ready to publish his tell all, Donald Trump’s former lawyer Michael Cohen also will guest on Sept. 14.
The show saw a ratings uptick in 2016, during the fall campaign of the last presidential cycle. In the fourth quarter of 2016, it drew 2.9 million total viewers, up 13% compared to the previous time frame, along with 4% to 5% growth in key demographics: 540,000 among women 25-54 and 408,000 among women 18-49.
