TV review: 'The View' adds new faces, keeps old look

LOS ANGELES (Variety.com) - "The View" has always been one of those shows with an inordinately high media coverage-to-viewer ratio, and the latest reboot - including what's rather prematurely billed in ABC's publicity as Rosie O'Donnell's "triumphant return to daytime television" -- is no exception. Yet those expecting significant changes from Monday's season premiere will have to wait for anything approximating fireworks, as the producers pursued a low-key approach, introducing a new panel that felt comfortable enough but will apparently need give and take with guests to produce any heat, or even strike a match.

O'Donnell made a point of saying she likes Nicolle Wallace, a Republican operative in the Bush administration who worked on John McCain's presidential campaign before becoming one of those "Republicans you can talk to" on MSNBC. And while Wallace exhibited a grasp of politics that will likely come in handy as midterm elections become a "Hot Topic," there's little likelihood of the sort of finger-pointing exchanges between O'Donnell and Elisabeth Hasselbeck that amped up the show's buzz factor during her previous tour of duty.

Actress Rosie Perez rounded out the new faces joining Whoopi Goldberg, and she should have calmed any skeptics by exhibiting a quick wit and fitting right in. When Wallace mentioned political pandering to the Hispanic community, for example, Perez shot back, "Yes, but I love that."

Other than that, it was the same old "View," racing through the NFL's domestic violence and child-abuse issues (nobody even seriously challenged Goldberg's assertion that hitting kids was basically the parents' prerogative), Hillary Clinton's political future and a tribute to the late Robin Williams.

Additional bits - like having the panelists literally kiss Barbara Walters' ring, or a "which Rosie did it" audience segment - fell mostly flat, almost feeling like the producers were laboring to flesh out the hour. A song tribute to Joan Rivers by Kristin Chenoweth was a nice touch, as tears streamed down O'Donnell's face.

Only time will tell how well the chemistry holds up and evolves among the central quartet, but despite all the changes (including a new showrunner), "The View" hasn't done much more than rearrange - and perhaps reupholster - the chairs.

Some conservatives will no doubt grouse about the show's ideological mix - when Wallace discussed Sarah Palin, Perez asked, "When did you want to just pop her?" - especially with a polarizing figure like O'Donnell back on board. Yet that sort of ignores the nature of the enterprise, which is as much about hanging out with the personalities as anything else, and doesn't need to reach a huge audience to be a success.

"You're going to get to know more about everybody at this table," Goldberg promised, and given the strictures of carrying a show like this daily, that's undoubtedly true.

OK, so the gang's all here, and now we've met them. Bring on the guests.