DINH DOONG

In a surprising move that’s making waves in the entertainment and political worlds, CBS has announced its latest bold initiative: the hiring of well-known conservative personalities Elisabeth Hasselbeck and Megyn Kelly for a new daytime talk show. This project, designed to directly compete with ABC’s The View, is set to offer a fresh, conservative-leaning alternative for viewers who feel underrepresented in mainstream media. The tagline for the show, “America is Ready for Strong, Conservative Women”, underscores CBS’s vision to tap into a growing audience that seeks diverse political perspectives in daytime television.

A Bold Move by CBS to Challenge The View

The View has long dominated daytime television, creating a forum for women of differing political and cultural backgrounds to discuss current events, news, and pop culture. With liberal-leaning hosts like Whoopi Goldberg and Joy Behar, the show has often clashed with its more conservative panelists, like Meghan McCain, leading to dynamic but often heated debates. However, CBS is betting on the idea that viewers who lean conservative may feel underserved by The View’s predominantly left-leaning perspectives.

The hiring of Hasselbeck and Kelly signals a deliberate pivot by CBS to appeal to conservative viewers. Both women are prominent figures known for their strong opinions, especially on issues where they align with conservative values. CBS executives believe this new show could provide a fresh perspective for viewers who want to see more voices from the right, which they argue is not sufficiently represented in mainstream television.

Elisabeth Hasselbeck: A Familiar Face Returns to Daytime

Elisabeth Hasselbeck is no stranger to daytime talk shows. As a former co-host of The View from 2003 to 2013, Hasselbeck brought a staunch conservative perspective to the show. She often found herself at the center of heated discussions, defending her views on topics ranging from healthcare to national security. Her presence on The View made her a beloved figure to conservative viewers and someone who was often in the spotlight for challenging the liberal viewpoints presented by her co-hosts.

After leaving The View, Hasselbeck moved to Fox News, co-hosting Fox & Friends before stepping away from television to focus on her family. However, with this new CBS venture, Hasselbeck is poised to return to daytime television, reigniting the fiery debates that made her a standout figure.

CBS’s decision to bring back Hasselbeck suggests a calculated move to draw in viewers who fondly remember her time on The View, while also aiming to create a show that leans further right than the current iteration of The View.

Megyn Kelly: A Controversial but Influential Media Figure

Joining Hasselbeck is Megyn Kelly, one of the most well-known and often polarizing figures in American media. Kelly first rose to prominence at Fox News, where she hosted The Kelly File, a highly-rated evening news program. Known for her tough interviews and sharp questioning, Kelly became a key voice on Fox News during the 2010s.

Her departure from Fox News came after a public dispute with then-presidential candidate Donald Trump, followed by a controversial stint at NBC News. Kelly’s short-lived NBC morning show, Megyn Kelly Today, was canceled in 2018 after her comments about blackface Halloween costumes ignited a national controversy. Since then, Kelly has stayed relevant through her own podcast, The Megyn Kelly Show, where she continues to discuss current events and politics with a conservative lens.

By hiring Kelly, CBS is taking a calculated risk. While she has faced backlash for some of her past remarks, Kelly remains a formidable media presence with a strong following, particularly among conservative viewers who appreciate her no-nonsense approach to journalism. Her addition to this new show ensures that it will have a serious, hard-hitting angle when it comes to discussing political and social issues.

The Show’s Format: What Can Viewers Expect?

While details about the format of the show are still emerging, it’s expected that the program will feature a multi-host panel similar to The View, but with a notable conservative slant. Alongside Hasselbeck and Kelly, rumors are swirling about potential additional co-hosts, possibly other conservative female figures who can bring further depth to the discussions.

Unlike The View, which prides itself on presenting voices from both sides of the political spectrum, this CBS show may lean more decisively to the right. The tagline, “America is Ready for Strong, Conservative Women”, hints at a clear mission: to amplify conservative perspectives and challenge the narratives that are often dominant in mainstream media.