'The View' star Sara Haines speaks out about returning for Season 27 and Caitlin Clark
ABC's "The View" returned last Tuesday with a new set, no Whoopi, and the same panel featuring Newton native Sara Haines.
"It has all of the familiarity of a group that's been together," co-host Sara Haines said while addressing the changes.
Haines, who hails from central Iowa, returned as a co-host for another season at the Hot Topics table after a brief summer break. The season premiere follows the program's third consecutive year as the nation's No. 1 among the daytime network talk shows.
Haines opened up about the show's return for Season 27 in an interview with the Des Moines Register.
The mom of three children is typically seated in between Whoopi Goldberg, who missed the premiere week because of COVID-19, and OG panelist Joy Behar. In recent years, the pit stop for presidential candidates has ditched backstage drama, on set quarrels and yearly cast shake-ups.
More: The View's Sara Haines talks coming home to Iowa, Taco John's, and hosting daytime's biggest show
"It's kind of unprecedented times considering all that's going on," Haines said. "In some ways, I'm so tired of talking about Donald Trump, but it actually lends itself to a lot of topics. It's going to be a juicy political year!"
Sara Haines speaks out about special co-host friendship with Farrah Griffin
The show became a hit, buoyed by the return of the mild-mannered moderate from Iowa in Season 24 plus a pair of conservative CNN commentators. Last season, fresh face Alyssa Farah Griffin, who worked in the Trump White House, and fan favorite Ana Navarro joined the table permanently.
She and Farah Griffin bonded, as the latter detailed in a recent interview with executive producer Brian Teta on the show's official podcast "Behind the Table."
More: Iowa native Sara Haines talks co-hosting 'The View,' returning to Newton for IndyCar race
"I just like someone that challenges people and she does it in such an above-the-table manner. She brings information, she brings respect, she is civil," Haines said of her good friend Farah Griffin.
Haines has had her share of run-ins with Hollywood heartthrobs and rising starlets in the New York City-based "View" studio. She still wants to meet former President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama or former President Bill Clinton.
Politicians intrigue her because they've been in such consequential positions, but the pressures of power wear off after leaving office and create added transparency, she said.
'I'm obsessed with her:' Sara Haines shares surprising 'View' dream guest
But beyond presidents that fit the bill as a dream guest, University of Iowa point guard Caitlin Clark does too.
"I'm obsessed with her, she was at the (Iowa) Speedway the same weekend I was there," Haines said. "She's an amazing representative of this state. I'm so proud to have someone — not only kind and good, but that she's a force."
Haines returned to Newton in mid-July to watch the Hy-Vee IndyCar Race Weekend at Iowa Speedway in Newton, where Clark served as Grand Marshal on the race's first day. Clark grew up in West Des Moines and was a Dowling Catholic High School basketball standout.
"The Chase" game show host's 46th birthday is coming later this month. Last year, she celebrated alongside her co-hosts with potato olés from Taco John's (she swears by the drive-thru in Newton) and a surprise performance from the Iowa State University marching band.
For right now, Haines is focused on the show's return.
"It has all the adrenaline and excitement of a new school year!" she said.
She has one back-to-school request: if Iowans visit New York, come to the studio and enjoy "The View." For free tickets, visit 1iota.com to register. "The View" airs at 10 a.m. on weekdays on Local 5 WOI-DT.
Jay Stahl is an entertainment reporter at The Des Moines Register. Follow him on Instagram or reach out at jstahl@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Iowa native Sara Haines talks hosting new season of 'The View'
