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Got this from another MB
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article from AP
IS STAR JONES LEAVING "THE VIEW"
IN SEPTEMBER?
By NEDRA PICKLER
Associated Press Writer
AP Photo/FREDDIE LEE
Other U.S. Video
NEW YORK (AP) -- Amid the glamorous spectacle of Barbara Walter's on-air announcement at the Daytime Emmys that Rosie O'Donnell will be taking the reigns left open when Meredith Vieira leaves "The View" in September to replace Katie Couric at the "TODAY" show was the quickly spreading rumor that the"View's" resident diva, Star Jones Reynolds, will also be departing the morning gab-fest.
Reynolds's contract is up in September, and for those who aren't already aware, there's no love lost between the incoming O'Donnell and the newly svelte Star Jones-Reynolds. Rosie O'Donnell has been using Star Jones as a human "punchline" for several years in her stand up comedy routines, and most recently, wrote a desparaging poem and made other comments accusing Jones-Reynolds of lying about her dramatic weight loss of over 150 pounds.
"It's really up to Star", said Barbara Walters backstage at the Daytime Emmy Awards. "We all love Star and she will always have a home at The View, but when her contract comes up in September, it's up to her what she wants to do with her future. Star's a smart lady, and I wish her all the best, no matter what her decision will be."
Though Walters was more diplomatic, another "View" co-anchor, Joy Behar, was more forthcoming about the brewing behind-the scenes drama. Behar told Associated Press, "I think it's time to move on. Star is a larger than life personality and in some ways she's not able to display all her talents with this gig. I think she's out grown it."
Star Jones herself, who has been reluctant to comment about her upcoming contract negotiations or Rosie O'Donnell's comic insults, had this to say in an upcoming interview to air this Thursday with talk host Tavis Smiley, "I welcome Rosie O'Donnell. Since she's so obsessed with me, I think it's about time we met. I'm dying to see what she has to say to my face, and I wouldn't dream of leaving 'The View'. After all, I think this will be the year when Barbara and all my stepsisters find out just why my Mama named me Star."
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