::THE SLICE REPORT WITH MONA AUSTIN

buzzz worthy. . . T he ABC Network’s struggling talker “The View” continues to play a game of host scrabble.   Rosie Perez recently left after one year to return to acting, shortly after Raven Simone was hired permanently.    Now "The View" has has  hired  yet another regular, comedian and writer Michelle Collins . She will officially begin in September but will make a handful of guest appearances before the show goes on hiatus in August. The has been able to maintain steady ratings momentum since its creator, Barbara Walters' departure.  It has been rumored that Sherri Shepherd has been asked to return to revive interest in the daytime talk program--- if only as a part-timer, twice a week.  Shepherd returned  to thunderous applause as a co-host in May of 2015. Joy Behar, Rosie O'Donnell, Meredith Vieira and Elizabeth Hasselback are al former co-hosts of The View.

buzzz worthy. . . By Mona Austin  Should Raven Symone's "Black card" be revoked?  The actress/singer has made public statements recently that give the impression she is disloyal to African Americans and she may be taking objectivity/open mindedness too far. Yesterday as a guest co-host on "The View,"  Symone shared views that were quite controversial. Symone defended  the Univision reporter who was fired last week for comparing First Lady Michelle Obama to an ape. "Not Michelle Obama. Michelle, don't fire me from this right now, but some people do look like animals," she said explaining people were too sensitive about the reporter's comment, which she did not deem racist.   Co-host Rosie Perez argued that the statement was  racist and was disrespectful to the First Lady, but Symone continued to justify her comment. "I look like a bird, so can I be mad if somebody calls me Toucan Sam?," she asked. In a di...

buzzz worthy. . . Featuring the highly  anticipated-return of Rosie O’Donnell to “The View,” joining moderator Whoopi Goldberg and newcomers, actress Rosie Perez and Republican political analyst Nicolle Wallace, the season 18 premiere of “The View” was the series’ best premiere in 8 years in Total Viewers  (3.902 million – since Rosie joined the cast in 2006). In fact,  it was the series’ #2 premiere on record in Total Viewers , while among target Women,  it posted solid double digit percent increases over its year ago launch to hit 3-year highs among Women 18-49 (+15% – 683,000 vs. 596,000)  and Women 25-54  (+20% – 911,000 vs. 761,000). Both Goldberg and 'Donnell paid  tribute to recently deceased Joan Rivers.

buzzz worthy. . . McClurkin, Dorinda Clark-Cole, And Tye Tribbett’s Extended Version of Sunday Best Performance Draws Extra Stellar Voices the Stage                                 Los Angeles, CA (August 11, 2014) -  Long-time Co-Host , Sherri Shepherd, of  ABC’s Daytime talk show, The View said her good-byes and thank you(s)for her last episode that aired this week. Shepherd invited her favorite gospel singers:  Donnie McClurkin, Yolanda Adams and Kirk Franklin to close out the old and ring in the new with an inspiring musical performance.   She was serenaded with a beautiful rendition of Michael W. Smith’s classic “A Friend’s A Friend Forever.”  Other friends that surprised Shepherd for the farewell show was comedian; Arsenio Hall and R&B group Bev, Biv and DeVoe. “We had a b...

buzzz worthy. . . By Mona Austin Jennifer Holliday performs at the 29th Annual Stellar Awards. Vocal powerhouse Jennifer Holliday has re-emerged after a 23 year hiatus with a  new CD entitled "The Song Is You."  The original Dream Girl told hosts of "Th e View" that after she lost 200 lbs. the industry "didn't know what to do with me." Holliday has battled clin ical depression, MS and financial setbacks, but says her fai th carried her through the tough times. Guest host  Mario Cantone addressed the fact that the "You're Gonna Love Me' singer was not cast in the film version "Dream Girls" and she shrugged it off saying not being included did not bother her.  A true inspiration, Holliday has come out of all of her challenges looking and sounding incredible. " God is a real answer for me," replied the vocalist when asked how she endured those dark days. "The Song Is You" is Hollidays debut on Shanaci...

buzzz worthy. . . Originally posted on March 11, 2013 Personnel changes on the show itself was the hot topic on "The View" today. Last Thursday, Joy Behar announced she will not renew her contract with "The View" for the next season.  But, she will remain on the show until August, the conclusion of the current season. According to US Weekly she is leaving after 16 and a half years because she says that amount of time is long enough  to be on a talk show. The 70-year-old veteran co-host is the last original cast member along with its co-creator and Executive Producer, Barbara Walters. Behar also hosts her own show, "Say Anything," on Current TV. On "The View" today the comedian rattled off the top ten reasons she is departing, all of them riddled with her sarcastic brand of humor.  The number one reason she gave for not returning to the show is that she wants to go a "whole week without putting on a brassiere." TOP TEN REA...

Smooches, hugs, kisses and kudos to Miss Tina Knowles for offering an "affordable fab" clothing line to everyday women at Walmart! Miss Tina by Tina Knowles debuted in select Walmarts nationwide this past October and was featured on The View recently. The new collection of sporty fashion consists of thirty pieces, including denim, graphic tees, embellished tops, day dresses, tunics, jackets, leggings and warm-up suits that generally retail for $20 or less. Beyonce came along with Momma Knowles and the gorgeous printed dress she was wearing form the Miss Tina line and for only $18. Clothing from the Miss Tina Collection are available online at www.walmart.com. Models of various ages and sizes demonstrated the versatility and functionality of the clothes.  Many celebs  have a flair for fashion and place their names on a label, but Tina Knowles is a seamstress and designer that has plenty of experience "under her belt." Her Miss Tina line has been offered on HSN ...