Tuning In

’View’ makin’ Whoopi

“The View” has a new co-host.

Whoopi Goldberg was introduced yesterday as the show’s latest cast member, joining Barbara Walters, Joy Behar and Elisabeth Hasselbeck on the panel of ABC’s hit daytime talk show, CNN.com reports.

According to Associated Press, Miss Goldberg jogged down the aisle of the New York studio, slapping hands with the audience, when the announcement was made live on the air by Miss Walters, the show’s creator.

“I love this show,” said Miss Goldberg, one of a select few performers to win an Oscar, Emmy, Tony and Grammy. “I love coming on it. I love hanging out with you guys.”

Miss O’Donnell announced this spring that she was leaving “The View” after less than a year filled with controversy and feuds with Donald Trump and Miss Hasselbeck. Despite Miss O’Donnell’s polarizing presence — or maybe because of it — ratings went up last year.

Miss Goldberg, 51, gives “The View” a big name to fill the slot of moderator, who generally steers the discussion.

She may not reach Miss O’Donnell’s level, but she’s no stranger to political controversy. Miss Goldberg was dumped from a Slim-Fast advertising campaign in 2004 after making a speech mocking the Bush administration at a political rally, at one point using the president’s surname as a sexual reference.

“The View” is in “ongoing discussions” with several people for another cast slot, a show spokesman said. That would fill the chair left unoccupied since the stormy departure of Star Jones Reynolds last year.

Among the candidates for that role is actress Sherri Shepherd, who has appeared on “The View” as a substitute several times over the past month.

’Model’ casting call

The CW’s reality show “America’s Next Top Model” will hold an open casting call for its 10th cycle, set to air this fall, on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at New York’s Park Central Hotel (870 Seventh Ave.) MediaWeek.com reports.

The casting call is open to women 18 to 27 with a minimum height of 5 feet 7 inches.

Hosted by Tyra Banks, “America’s Next Top Model” is produced by 10 by 10 Entertainment in association with Bankable Productions.

Miss Banks is the show’s creator and executive producer along with Ken Mok and Daniel Soiseth.

Short takes

m “Six Feet Under” alum Mathew St. Patrick (who played homosexual police officer-turned-security-firm-owner Keith Charles) has joined the cast of NBC’s one-hour pilot “Backyards and Bullets,” the Hollywood Reporter notes. The show, previously known as “The Watch,” revolves around a suburban Neighborhood Watch group gone awry.

• Scripps’ DIY Network has acquired “Martha Stewart Crafts,” a new show made from clips about craft projects from “Martha Stewart Living,” TVWeek.com reports. The new half-hour series will begin Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 22.

• VHI’s Flava Flav was a no-show at his scheduled concert Monday night in New York, says Eurweb.com. According to published reports, the Public Enemy jester and reality TV star was supposed to host the Rock the Bells After Party at the city’s Retox bar-lounge and Myst nightclub but did not show up at either venue. Promoter John Englebert said he never got a phone call from Flav explaining his absence.

Compiled by Robyn-Denise Yourse from Web and wire reports.