Jenny McCarthy Joins 'The View'

Jenny McCarthy will be the co-host of "The View," Barbara Walters announced Monday.

Walters opened the show with the announcement.

"I'm beyond thrilled to be joining Barbara and the other amazing women at the table," McCarthy said in a statement.

McCarthy has guest hosted "The View" numerous times. The news comes after reports that she has been in talks with the show, and Sherri Shepherd appeared to confirm the rumors last week. "Jenny McCarthy is fearless, she's amazing, she'll cause some stuff, so I'm excited about her," Shepherd had said.

McCarthy has guest hosted the show eight times. Her appointment, though, is not without criticism about her controversial views on vaccinations and autism.

McCarthy will make her debut when the 17th season starts September 9. The show is going through some major changes beyond the new addition, and will return without Elisabeth Hasselbeck or Joy Behar. Hasselbeck left abruptly on Wednesday, months after initial reports that she was getting fired. She will be hosting "Fox and Friends" starting this fall. Behar is also preparing to leave after this season.