Sherri Shepherd was set to bring her familiar energy back to The View for its milestone 30th season. The former co-host planned to return to the Hot Topics table as a guest after leaving the permanent panel in 2014.
Her comeback arrived as the ABC talk show prepared to resume its regular schedule after more than a month away. The Season 30 launch also promised a packed lineup of celebrity, political and cultural guests.
Sherri Shepherd is officially heading back to the Hot Topics desk for The View’s 30th season
ABC announced that Shepherd would return shortly after the September 8 premiere. The opening episode featured all six current co-hosts: Whoopi Goldberg, Joy Behar, Sunny Hostin, Sara Haines, Ana Navarro and Alyssa Farah Griffin.
Shepherd remained closely connected to The View after leaving the panel. She also continued discussing her experience on the show and previously shared a revealing story about Barbara Walters. In October 2025, Shepherd recalled that Walters sometimes pushed her hard enough to make her cry. However, Shepherd credited those difficult moments with helping her grow.
“She taught me how to find my voice,” Shepherd said of Walters.
The return also revived questions about other familiar faces. Rosie O’Donnell previously said she planned to return during Season 30 after her own View stints.
O’Donnell co-hosted from 2007 to 2008 and again from 2014 to 2015. She later said on a podcast that she “will go” back with other former panelists. However, Entertainment Weekly reported that the show had “no current plans” for O’Donnell to return as a guest. Her representative also said producers had mentioned the possibility but had not made a formal request.
O’Donnell’s team added that Navarro had mentioned bringing her back “at some point during the season.” Still, “nothing has been formalized.”
Meanwhile, Season 30 brought plenty of star power to the table. Jessica Lange, Andrew Garfield, Sarah Paulson, Billie Lourd, Maisie Williams and Florence Pugh joined the September guest lineup.
Christopher Abbott, Mike Faist, Zoe Kazan, Ke Huy Quan, Ethan Hawke and Kate McKinnon also appeared. Lizzo, Kenny Chesney, Ted Cruz and Andy Beshear rounded out the high-profile list.
Deborah Roberts, Colin Kaepernick, Evan Gershkovich, Neil deGrasse Tyson and Heidi Slotnik also joined upcoming conversations. The View Season 30 premiered September 8 on ABC. The Behind the Table podcast and weekend edition also planned returns later this year.
