Elisabeth Hasselbeck Staying, Not Leaving "The View" [VIDEO] Barbara Walters Quiets Departure and "Fired" Rumors, Joy Behar Still Leaving

With the announcement of Joy Behar's departure from "The View," other rumors erupted last week about co-host Elisabeth Hasselbeck also leaving and possibly being fired. Well it turns out that this was all just gossip and Elisabeth is not going anywhere according to co-host Barbara Walters.

Walters said:

"There is a particularly false story getting picked up about Elisabeth's alleged departure, saying that we don't approve of her conservative views. The truth is, we love Elisabeth. I like her personally and she's just a wonderful person. But beyond that we value and appreciate her point of view. It's important to us because Elisabeth helps give this show perspective and balance. We have no plans for Elisabeth to leave this show. Having said that to all of you, Bill and I have always said that when one of you makes the choice to leave, that's your choice and we will support your decision. But right now, the only person who cannot leave the show is me."

Along with Hasselbeck and Walters, Whoopi Goldberg and Sherri Shepherd are returning as hosts of ABC's "The View." But with Joy Behar gone, who will take her seat on the show? Use the comment section for suggestions and guesses.

Mstarz recently covered Joy's departure announcement. Here is an excerpt:

Joy Behar, 70, made the announcement Thursday (March 7) that she would be leaving the show in August, according to Us Weekly, after more than 16 years as a host. A day after Behar's departure, an unnamed source told the magazine's website that co-host Elisabeth Hasselbeck apparently did not attract enough viewers and that "her contract would not be renewed."  Was she fired?

Deadline.com and the Hollywood Reporter also reported Hasselbeck's departure, citing unnamed sources. Her agent did not return calls for comment on the report.