In the wake of Star Jones Reynold's abrupt decampment from The View last week, the powers-that-be at the ABC chatfest are looking to steer clear of cohost drama. Accordingly, they've gone and hired Shannen Doherty.

Yes, that Shannen Doherty.

The Barbara Walters-led talk show has unveiled a slate of upcoming guest hosts to temporarily fill the vacated fourth seat, with Doherty, Katherine McPhee, Dancing with the Stars judge Carrie Ann Inaba and champ Kelly Monaco tag-teaming.

At first blush, Doherty, 35, seems the most unexpected option to sub in on The View, considering a history of diva-like behavior that led to her exits from Beverly Hills, 90210 and Charmed, among other offscreen troubles. Then again, Doherty's antics could be considered small beans when compared to a certain ex-lawyer and former talk show host.

Reynolds, who has been offering up the sordid details of her departure on the talk-show circuit since leaving on June 28, wasn't supposed to leave The View right away. But her quick departure has forced producers to scramble for viable replacements.

The day after Walters' on-air confirmation that Reynolds would not be returning to the chatfest, One Life to Live's Renee Goldsberry sat with the remaining three yappers. While Goldsberry had previously acted as a guest cohost, her position as first out of the gate in the new wave of contenders was particularly noteworthy for her almost eerie resemblance to Reynolds.

Goldsberry also plays a lawyer on the soap, making it appear that Walters & Co. were seeking a very specific type to fill the Star gap.

America's Got Talent judge Brandy then logged time at the table last week and again on Friday's show, even receiving on-air kudos from Walters for a job well done. Meanwhile, All My Children's Susan Lucci joined the hijinks on Wednesday.

When it comes to Inaba and Monaco, it would seem the folks at The View clearly have a penchant for dancing...or maybe just ABC synergy.

Inaba, a choreographer who has appeared as a judge on the Alphabet net's reality competition for each of its two seasons, will fill in on Monday. Monaco was the winner of Dancing's first season and is a regular on another ABC soap, General Hospital. The 30-year-old actress, who has appeared on The View several times, takes the seat next Tuesday.

American Idol runner-up McPhee, meanwhile, is also scheduled to squeeze in some small-screen time in between dates for the American Idol summer tour, joining Walters, Joy Behar and fellow reality TV vet Elisabeth Hasselbeck for some small talk July 19.

The 22-year-old songbird, unlike some of the other revolving-door candidates, is likely not using her guest stint as an audition for the permanent gig, instead making it another promotional pit stop. Of course, all is dependent on her laryngitis clearing up.

Doherty, whose new reality show, Breaking Up with Shannen Doherty, premieres on the Oxygen network next month, is penciled in on The View for July 31 and Aug. 1.

There appears to be a method to The View brain trust's mining of soap operas and reality TV for cohosts. See: Kelly Ripa, who graduated from All My Children to Regis sidekick; and The View's own Hasselbeck, a former Survivor castaway.

In any case, The View is running out of time if it wants a permanent Star sub. The show will go on hiatus Aug. 4 and returns Sept. 5, with another new face as Rosie O'Donnell's takes over for the Today show-bound Meredith Vieira.

As for Reynolds, she's not wasting any time getting back to work. She's set to guest host HGTV's House Hunters all next week.

Wow... they've gone from bad to bad.

I'm sorry, but REG doesn't look ANYTHING like Star Jones. Nothing could be further from the truth. Other why they just close their eyes and pick someone; it really doesn't matter. I just am not able to listen to all of them talking over eachother.

So Shannon Doherty is just temp yes?? I wouldn't mind Carrie Ann, but she is to young and please dear Lord in Heaven don't let Shannon D. be the replace for good!

Shannen and Kelly are unlikely since they live and work in LA. Then again, SHannen did move ot Hawaii for North Shore. Hmm...she'd make a more interesting Republican in her 30s than Bitsy's stupid ass.

Personally, I'd like Renee Goldsberry or Soledad O'Brien to take the slot.

-->

Shannen and Kelly are unlikely since they live and work in LA. Then again, SHannen did move ot Hawaii for North Shore. Hmm...she'd make a more interesting Republican in her 30s than Bitsy's stupid ass.

Personally, I'd like Renee Goldsberry or Soledad O'Brien to take the slot.

Kelly Pickler from AI5 is on also sometime soon. She should be a real hoot.

Thank God I'm never home to watch it.

apparently Debi Montropolous or whatever is coming back to guest host...in July 20th that week or soemthing..

I'm sorry, but REG doesn't look ANYTHING like Star Jones. Nothing could be further from the truth.

No kidding. REG is gorgeous while Star is beautiful in her own special way........................................