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ABC has confirmed when the new season of The View premieres and all the celebrations that will be taken place all season-long. The talk show started by Barbara Walters has achieved 25 years on the air and the co-hosts are in for a big celebratory year. Whoopi Goldberg, Joy Behar, Sara Haines, and Sunny Hostin return to debate the latest “Hot Topics” in the studio. The official cast photo for the new season was shared on social media and some fans were glad a former co-host was not part of the group anymore.

Sara Haines smiles, Whoopi Goldberg looks up on her eyeglasses, Joy Behar smiles, and Sunny Hostin looking serious
Sara Haines, Whoopi Goldberg, Joy Behar, and Sunny Hostin | ABC/Robert Ascroft

Meghan McCain absent from ‘The View’ Season 25 cast photo

McCain last appeared on The View at the beginning of August when season 24 of the long-running talk show wrapped. It was on August 6, that the remaining co-hosts had a photo session where they would take pictures to promote the new season.

On Monday, August 30, the alphabet network shared on Instagram the new cast picture of the official co-hosts for season 25. Goldberg, Haines, Behar, and Hostin shared the same set and were all smiles being all together. Some fans noted and celebrated that McCain was not part of the show anymore.

“Ahhhh. So nice without MM. what a joy it will be without her,” a fan replied.

“Meghan McCain free! We love to see it!” a viewer added.

“Thank God no Meghan,” an Instagram user said.

“Yay Megan’s finally gone. But we need Anna in there,” another fan mentioned.

“I can watch again! Meghan was unwatchable.. truly,” another viewer replied.

“What a refreshing photo without Megan. Sorry, nothing against The McCain’s. Can’t wait for the new season!” another Instagram user wrote.

Who is replacing Meghan McCain?

Season 25 of The View will only have four official co-hosts following McCain’s exit. Many viewers have been asking who will be taking over the conservative side of the conversation as no one has been named yet. Brian Teta, the executive producer, said that they are “taking a little time” to find the next co-host. In the meantime, they would invite guest co-hosts to give their take on the latest pressing issues in politics and pop culture.

“Continuing the mission of dynamic conversations with diverse points of view, The View is taking a little time to fill the co-host seat vacant since Meghan McCain’s departure at the end of season 24,” read an ABC press release. “Throughout the season, the show will welcome conservative voices to guest co-host starting with former Utah congresswoman Mia Love premiere week.”

In addition, other guest co-hosts include Condoleezza Rice, S.E. Cupp, Carly Fiorina, Eboni K. Williams, Mary Katharine Ham, Alyssa Farah, Cameran Eubanks, and Gretchen Carlson.

Whoopi Goldberg, Sara Haines, Joy Behar, and Sunny Hostin posing for 'The View' Season 25 promo shot
Whoopi Goldberg, Joy Behar, Sara Haines, and Sunny Hostin | ABC/Robert Ascroft
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Why did Meghan McCain leave ‘The View?’

McCain had been a staple on The View for four seasons but after the pandemic hit, she said she started seeing things differently. The Republican pundit said that with the show going back to the studio in New York City, she wanted to say back in the D.C. area where she was currently residing to raise her daughter.

“Covid has changed the world for all of us, and it changed the way, at least for me, the way that I am looking at life, the way I’m living my life, the way I want my life to look like,” McCain said on the show.

Since announcing her exit from The View, McCain confirmed she would be an executive producer on a Lifetime movie.

The View Season 25 premieres on September 7 at 11 a.m. ET and 10 a.m. PT/CT on ABC.

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