On the heels of tabloid tales that Barbara Walters was planning to fire the newest of 'The View's' co-hosts Sherri Shepherd, ABC has unveiled the daytime chat show's latest promotional picture to promote the forthcoming fall season.
The image includes Walters, Shepherd, Whoopi Goldberg, Joy Behar and Elizabeth Hasselbeck in their first group photo shoot.
Last season's images were digitally superimposed to make it look as though they were all together.
The 'National Enquirer' was the originator of the erroneous report that claimed that the near-octogenarian Walters was offended by Shepherd's interview with the African-American Christian women's lifestyle magazine 'Precious Times.'
BV Buzz was the first to do a pickup on the intriguing cover story that included the Chicago-bred comedienne sharing her perspective on once being Jehovah's Witness, coming to terms with her prior promiscuity and having to defend Christianity on live television.
During the interview with 'Precious Times' publisher Marilyn J. White, Shepherd joked: "Oh sometimes I say, 'Lord, Juanita Bynum or Joyce Myers would be so good at this table. They could lay hands on Barbara Walters and get her saved.'"
That comment and the 'Who's Your Caddy' star's disclosure of multiple abortions created a whirlwind of media coverage on everything from 'Access Hollywood' to Fox News Channel and every blog and gossip column you can imagine.
The 41-year-old for 
mer 'Less Than Perfect' star, who recently hosted the Daytime Emmy Awards with 'All My Children's' Cameron Mathison, has become an easy target for online blogs and tabloid fodder because of her honesty on 'The View.'
From the very beginning of her tenure on the show in September of 2007, the almost-divorced mother of one came under scrutiny after a debate about Christianity with Walters and Goldberg was taken completely out of context and generated an onslaught of Jessica Simpson-like comparisons for Shepherd.
"I was so nervous and all I heard was how many triglycerides does it take to make Pluto to when the Robitussin comes. And I was like, 'I don't know.' And you have one of those senior, brain poopy moments. But Elisabeth looked at me and said, 'Sherri, you know the earth is round.' And I was like, 'I know the earth is round,' she explained then.
Regardless, ratings for 'The View' are higher than ever because of Shepherd and Goldberg and ABC executives anticipate the show will only get stronger and more exciting as the upcoming presidential election gets closer this fall.
Word for Word - July 11, 2008
"I got a letter from a girl who said she was listening to one of my songs and every time I hit a particular high note, the garage door would open or close." -- Mariah Carey encounters some unusual problems with her a five-octave vocal range.
Charley Gallay, Getty Images
"Have I ever been totally and completely intimidated by another person? Yes, my husband's mother." -- Madonna fears Guy Ritchie's mom.
Tony Barson, WireImage.com
"There's brilliant jazz - Miles Davis. And there's brilliant rock - Coldplay. And there's brilliant rap - Jiggaman!" -- Jay-Z, tooting his own horn.
Gareth Cattermole, Getty Images
"I'm thinking of getting a tattoo of him on my chest." -- First-time father Usher is planning to ink a tribute to his seven-month-old baby son Usher Raymond V.
Frank Micelotta, Getty Images
The 71-year-old actor says, "I've got to suggest his voice and his speech without making a fool of myself." --Morgan Freeman
John Shearer, WireImage.com
"Bug-A-Boo or Bootylicious. I hate 'em." -- Beyonce Knowles isn't a fan of all her Destiny's Child songs.
George Pimentel, WireImage.com
"I've been working out really hard lately 'cause I'm single now and I've gotta look good!" -- Jessica Simpson shapes up to get back into the dating scene.
Chris Farina, WireImage.com
"When I come home from a club, my wish is to have a huge bowl of Frosted Flakes. I only have it once in a blue moon - because I can't have just one bowl." -- Janet Jackson on her late night snacking choice.
Gregg DeGuire, WireImage.com
1. Hello Sweet Sherri....we'all love you in Oklahoma. I've never missed a day since you and Whoopi joined the cast. Hugs to all you gal's....Keep entertaining us, it's the best 60 minutes of my morning.
Tina at 3:58PM on Aug 20th 2008