By Karu F. Daniels, AOL Black Voices
Is Patti LaBelle the latest black notable in the running for a co-host gig on ABC's popular chat-fest 'The View'?
Possibly, a source close to the Grammy Award winning R&B legend told 'The BV Newswire' today.
"She would definitely consider it," the insider said about the prospect of having the Philadelphia soul sister shake things up on a daily basis with Barbara Walters, Joy Behar and Elisabeth Hasselback.
The motor-mouthed diva would be a far cry from some of the other black faces -- including Whoopi Goldberg, Sherri Shepherd and Gayle King -- the beleaguered Walters-helmed talker has rolled out as guest co-hosts lately.
Since the headline grabbing Rosie O'Donnell vacated her seat as chief moderator of 'The View,' in May, there are still two slots to fill to make up the quintet. The show's original co-host Star Jones-Reynolds "prematurely" announced that she was departing the show a year before, causing a media stir for Walters.
LaBelle, who is enjoying a near 50-year career in the music business (in 1958, she formed the quartet The Ordettes), is no stranger for the talk-show television format. Aside from being a featured guest on every major chat-fest, the woman formerly known as Patricia Holt-Armstead voiced the theme to 'The Oprah Winfrey Show' for a few seasons in the late 1990s, following her numerous and memorable appearances on the show, while promoting her best-selling cookbook 'LaBelle Cuisine.'
The 63-year-old former Labelle front-woman, who is known to be one of the more outspoken personalities in her class, also hosts her own TV One show, 'Living It Up with Patti LaBelle.'
A spokeswoman for LaBelle was not available at press time.
AOL VIDEO: Patti LaBelle & Michael McDonald -- 'On My Own'


Comments: (35)
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By: Karen Wyborski on 7/22/2007 3:26PM
1)....I was beyond disappointed in Barbara Walters after Star Jones-Reynolds left The View.
2)....I do not trust Barbara at all anymore, don't care for Elisabeth much, I am unsure about Joy.
3)....The thing with Roise, Walters/Trump, and Elisabeth/Roise.
I don't care for Trump much, nonetheless, in my heart, I BELIEVE Barbara W. told him she did not like Rosie!
With that said...there is no way if I were a black woman, I would trust those women to have my back in-time of need. Therefore, I wouldn't want Miss Patti to get caught up in the BS as it relates to The View.
She's doing well on her own and all by herself!
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By: Moniann on 7/22/2007 5:22PM
I think Whoopi Goldberg would be the best choice, in that she has what it takes to command the show and be a replacement for Viera, O'Donnell. However, Robin Givens was the best host I've seen since Star Davis left.
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By: Sandy on 7/22/2007 7:08PM
I love Patti LaBelle and I think Patti is far too good for the "View"! That show is dying a slow painful death! I say let it die! Stay away from it Patti...you don't need those witches you could carry a show on your own!
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By: Cheryl on 7/22/2007 10:59PM
I feel that the creators and producers of the show have totally lost control. At this point, the show is a joke and it would truly be a step down for the famed Patti. I don't see where the show demonstrates loyalty to their hostesses. Starr was dogged and that other gal was a loose cannon, you know...whats her name?
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By: Renee on 7/22/2007 11:47PM
I know that Patti will be Patti. She WILL bring some diversity
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