If you'd bet on the Andy Richter-hosted edition of Pyramid replacing As the World Turns on CBS this fall, you lose! The network has reportedly selected a new talk show that will focus on "topical events through the eyes of moms" to succeed the long-running soap. Those moms? Sara Gilbert, Julie Chen, Holly Robinson Peete, Sharon Osbourne, and Leah Remini. But which of these 5 ladies will be the lightning rod Elisabeth Hasselbeck on this new View? Movieline investigates.
· Sara Gilbert
The new show began in the mind of the former Roseanne star and since she's likely the ringleader -- i.e., the Whoopi/Meredith of this flock -- she won't really have any time for fights with Kathy Griffin. Plus, considering her long-time Kids Are All Right-like partnership with writer/producer Allison Adler, I'm guessing Hasselbeck's political agenda doesn't really fit with Gilbert's.
Hasselbeckianness (a measure of obtuseness, inflated self-importance and the likelihood of shoving one's foot inside one's mouth): 12 out of 100.
· Julie Chen
If there's a show on CBS that needs some kind of female hosting presence, you'd better believe Julie Chen is going to be involved, though don't expect her to thoughtlessly slag any Dancing with the Stars contestants or Barack Obama. Her "news" background makes Chen more likely to be Barbara Walters than Elisabeth.
Hasselbeckianness: 25 out of 100.
· Holly Robinson Peete
As a FOO (Friend of Oprah), does it really seem likely that Holly Robinson Peete would get drawn into any of the arguments that Elisabeth does on a daily basis?
Hasselbeckianness: 33 out of 100.
· Sharon Osbourne
The reality television veteran isn't afraid to speak her mind, even at the risk of alienating a large percentage of the audience. Witness what she said about Hasselbeck's favorite former Alaskan governor, Sarah Palin: "I'm scared of that woman with the glasses and gun! Ugh!" Might she be the lefty version of Elisabeth?
Hasselbeckianness: 47 out of 100.
· Leah Remini
Well, she's a Scientologist, so that automatically makes her way more prone to Hasselbeck-like outbursts than her other co-hosts. Still, Remini is actually funny -- or at least has a sense of humor mostly missing from Hasselbeck. Does that mean she'll be like some crazy, lab-engineered spawn of Joy Behar and the former Survivor star? (Head exploding.)
Hasselbeckianness: 67 out of 100.
· Daily Talk Show to Replace 'As the World Turns' on CBS This Fall [Deadline]