Whoopi Goldberg to Join The View

After weeks of speculation, Barbara Walters announced live on The View today that Whoopi Goldberg will be the new cohost of the daily ABC chatfest.
"I love you guys. This is a big ol' thrill for me," said Goldberg when she was introduced on the show this morning. "The thing I'm looking forward to the most is all the hot topics."
After joining cohosts Walters, Joy Behar and Elisabeth Hasselbeck on The View for the big announcement, Goldberg closed the show in true View fashion: "Have a great day, everyone, and take a little time to enjoy the view."
"I have known Whoopi for years," Walters said in a statement. "She is brilliant, funny and irrepressible, and is an enormously popular and talented star. We are delighted that she is going to join the program as our moderator. This is going to be a great new chapter for The View."
Goldberg will become a permanent fixture on The View on Sept. 4 when the show kicks off its 11th season. Goldberg is no stranger to the show, having appeared as a guest or guest cohost 27 times. She has won two Golden Globe awards, a Grammy, an Academy Award, an Emmy and a Tony for her work. - Reporting by Marissa Klein