Here's Who Could Be Julie Chen's Replacement on 'The Talk'
Julie Chen was an integral part of The Talk. She was host and moderator of the CBS daytime talk show for eight seasons, but on September 18, Chen announced she was leaving after a six women accused her husband, Les Moonves, of sexual misconduct.
“I have been at the The Talk since the day it started nine years ago and the cast, crew and staff have become family over the years," she said in her departure package. "Right now I need to spend more time at home with my husband and our young son. So I have decided to leave The Talk."
Chen's co-hosts, including Sharon Osbourne, Sheryl Underwood, and Eve, were emotional after Chen's announcement aired, but resumed their duties as hosts the next day. However, there is still an empty spot where Chen used to sit (although it's been temporarily filled so far with guest co-hosts like Carrie Ann Inaba and Rosie O'Donnell).
CBS has yet to reveal Chen's permanent replacement, but below is a roundup of some of the people who might be in the running:
Carrie Ann Inaba
Carrie Ann Inaba has served as guest co-host of The Talk before and after Chen's announcement, is considered one of the strongest candidates in the running. Chen herself seemed to give Inaba her stamp of approval in her goodbye message, saying, "Carrie Ann, I don't know, but in my opinion you look awful good sitting in that chair, my Asian sister. Just saying."
During an appearance on The Steve Harvey Show, Inaba responded to Chen's remarks, saying, "When she made that video announcement I was shocked. I was shocked that she even mentioned my name. So of course, who wouldn’t want to take an opportunity like that?"
Rosie O'Donnell
In 2006, Rosie O'Donnell replaced Meredith Vieira as moderator of The View, so she is no stranger to standing her ground amongst a roundtable of opinionated women. On Friday, the 56-year-old comedian appeared on The Talk as a guest host, fueling rumors that she is being considered for the spot.
Debbie Matenopoulos
Like O'Donnell, Debbie Matenopoulos has experience being on a daytime talk show since she co-hosted The View from 1997 to 1999. The Daily Mail reports that she is being considered for the role, but will likely have to decline because she is under contract for the Hallmark Channel's The Home and Family Show.
Lisa Ling
Lisa Ling, also a former The View co-host from 1999 to 2002, has been named a candidate by The Daily Mail . She currently hosts her own CNN docu-series, This is Life with Lisa Ling, and has not commented or expressed interest in Chen's former role.
Leah Remini
Leah Remini was once a co-host on The Talk, but was fired after only one season. Several fans of the show have spoken out in support of Remini's return on social media, but it's unlikely Remini will come back on board. The 48-year-old actress once told Howard Stern why she was not a good fit.
"I am not good at interviewing celebrities,” she said, according to People. “I’m not, I couldn’t, I was like, ‘What’s interesting about –’ I want to hear their real s-, I don’t want to hear – I don’t want to hear it. And it doesn’t have to be like real deep stuff, but if you have cellulite I want to talk about that – if you feel fat, do you have sex with your husband everyday, like [that’s what] I want to hear.”
Kenya Moore
The former Real Housewives of Atlanta housewife will no longer appear on the Bravo reality series, and is reportedly interested in Chen's role. Multiple outlets have reported that Kenya Moore "wants that seat on The Talk and she’s working overtime behind the scenes to get the job," according to an anonymous source. However, it's unlikely that the gig will go to Moore, who is currently seven months pregnant, because she has less hosting experience than some of the other candidates.
Claudia Jordan
Moore is not the only real housewife interested in the position, however. Claudia Jordan spoke with TMZ after Chen's departure and said, "Holler at me CBS. I'd be great it." Unlike Moore, Jordan does have more hosting experience under her belt. She had her own weekly Sirius/XM Radio show called The Claudia Jordan Show and was a co-host on VH1's Tiny's Tonight.
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