Whoopi Goldberg
Gossip

PETA might hate The View more than Donald Trump does.

First, the organization that loves animals more than people got mad at Elisabeth Hasselbeck. Then again, most Democrats do this on a daily basis.

Now, however, it's rightfully taking exception to comments Whoopi Goldberg made during her very first day as co-host of the show.

For some reason, the comedian chose to defend that puppy-murderer, Michael Vick, stating that dog fighting is almost a cultural norm in the south and that the ex-quarterback didn't understand how serious an offense he had committed.

At that, PETA President Michelle Cho fired off an email to Whoopi that said:

"I think a lot of people who live and work in the South - as PETA does - will not appreciate the "view" that cruelty to dogs is an accepted Southern pastime. Those who fight dogs do so in New York, Chicago, and even the Republic of Ireland, and what unites them is lawlessness and callousness, not whether they eat grits or Belgian waffles for breakfast."

Cho went on to say that "animals are as vulnerable to abuse as children are, and they need your voice more than Vick does right now."

That's actually well said by PETA. It's the most sensible they've been since they used Holly Madison nude photos as part of a campaign against fur.

Might viewers start clamoring for a Rosie O'Donnell return soon?

We're 24 hours away from the premiere of Whoopi Goldberg on The View.

We haven't been this excited about a daytime talk show host since we realized how similar looking Ellen DeGeneres and Zac Efron were.

Anyway, before she goes on the air with Barbara Walter, Elisabeth Hasselbeck and Joy Behar, Goldberg spoke with TV Guide.

TV Guide: You do movies, you have a daily radio show, you had your own talk show… so why The View?
Goldberg: I always liked the show. I always felt if there were a place for me, I'd love to be a part of it, but they always had their hosts. Then I started hearing little rumblings. It turns out that the timing couldn't be better, and it all worked out.

TV Guide: Why is it a good fit?
Goldberg: I love to talk, and I love these women. Because they have such diverse ideas about things, it's fun. Also, it'll help me understand a lot more about what's going on in the world of pop culture. I don't know anything about American Idol or who's married to who or getting divorced from who.

* The Hollywood Gossip note: Write these down, Whoopi:

• Jordin Sparks won and Blake Lewis finished second;

• Bill Rancic and Giuliana DePandi; Usher and Tameka Foster got married;

• Heath Ledger and Michelle Williams called it quits.

TV Guide: Is there any subject you can't wait to sink your teeth into?
Goldberg: Everything! We have an election year coming up, so to sit with all the candidates and hear what their thoughts are will be wonderful. There are a lot of great shows on television and some new ones coming up. There are so many exciting things happening out there.

TV Guide: Did Rosie's nemesis Donald Trump call to congratulate you?
Goldberg: No, but Donald's nice.

TV Guide: What's your catchphrase as moderator?
Goldberg: I am what I am. Me and Popeye.

While some things remain the same - i.e. Britney Spears mistreating little Sean Preston and Jayden James - others are undergoing significant changes.

Take the cast of The View.

By now, of course, all celebrity gossip followers know the story: Star Jones was kicked to the self-serving curb; Rosie O'Donnell alienated some viewers, attracted others and then left in a huff. Perez Hilton somehow guest hosted a show.

On September 4, however, a new era begins. This promotional photo says as much:

The new View: A pregnant Elisabeth Hasselbeck is joined by new co-host Whoopi Goldberg. Barbara Walters and Joy Behar also return.

Whoopi Goldberg may have some controversial shoes to fill, but the new cohost of ABC's The View says she has a more relaxed approach to hosting than her predecessors.

Rosie O'Donnell, we think she's talking to you.

"I disagree with a lot of stuff a lot of people say, but there is a dialogue to have with people that I was taught by my mom â€" how to be respectful and listen," Goldberg said during an interview on Ryan Seacrest's KIIS-FM radio show on Monday that People reported.

"You can get loud and move on after you are finished with it, that is how I work," she added. "I have a different approach. I stir the pot just by my presence."

And Elisabeth Hasselbeck stirs the pot any time she opens her mouth.

Goldberg says she maintains a good attitude because she's generally a happy person. Seems simple enough.

"It's not so much that I am nice. but I have a great life and I have no reason to be angry at anybody."

As for why she was chosen over all the other candidates to fill one of the vacant seats, Goldberg said: "I don't have a clue, Ryan. I don't know child, why? I'm black, I don't know. I've done the show a lot of times and I probably looked like I could use the gig."

The same goes for Sherri Shepherd. Our celebrity gossip blog will let you know if she fills the other spot on the show.

Sorry, Rumer Willis, looks like you haven't been chosen as one of the new hosts on The View.

Two months after Rosie O'Donnell walked away from the show, speculation is rife that Whoopi Goldberg and Sherri Shepherd are about to be sitting in the hot seats permanently.

The Los Angeles Times and People magazine report that a formal announcement is expected next week regarding these two comedians joining the ABC daytime gabfest.

The real question on everyone's mind is how they'll get along with Elisabeth Hasselbeck. Her and O'Donnell did not exactly see eye to eye... or toe to toe... or belly to belly...

Welcome, Sherri Shepherd and Whoopi Goldberg to The View. Let's see how well they dish on various celebrity gossip topics.

Last year, Star Jones looked as ugly and acted as obnoxiously as ever; she also left the program amid backstage rancor and a public clash with Barbara Walters. Since then, she's said The View needs more diversity on its panel.

In a much smoother departure, former panelist Meredith Vieira also left the show last year, to join NBC's morning show Today.

Recently, Goldberg Shepherd and Kathy Griffin have been mentioned as the main possibilities to join Joy Behar, Hasselbeck and Walters at the table. We're not sure why Dina Lohan wasn't considered for the job.

Oh, right. It's because she sucks.

Whoopi Goldberg on The View? It looks like a done deal.

So Elisabeth Hasselbeck haters can finally relax. This is another liberal comedian that rarely hold anything back.

"As far as everyone at ABC is concerned, she has the job," a network insider said. "They have been meeting with Kathy Griffin, Rosanne Barr, Ricki Lake and Gayle King. While Kathy was a strong contender, Whoopi has won everyone over."

Another source says that Goldberg might as well have the gig already. And this seems like a solid enough choice to us, more logical than any weird Megan Fox tattoo at least.

"Whoopi has a radio show, she lives in NYC and she is an institution. She also is liberal and outspoken but not crazy like [Rosie O'Donnell] was. She will be a perfect fit as far as the ladies on The View are concerned," an insider noted.

ABC executives are so excited about signing Whoopi that they even offered her what they refused to give Rosie â€" a year-to-year deal. "When Rosie finds out, she'll be furious!" claims another source.

Goldberg, of course, is more than qualified. She's hosted the Academy Awards four times and holds a Grammy, Emmy, Oscar and Tony Award. It's quite the haul. The woman collects awards like Shar Jackson collects babies.