For a while there it looked as if Whoopi Goldberg's efforts were doomed on daytime television before she even began. Feral media outlets attacked the Oscar winner for defending Michael Vick even though she vehemently condemned his actions. Whoopi not only survived, but she gets the last laugh. From Variety:

''On her first day as moderator of 'The View,' Whoopi Goldberg drew 3.4 million viewers, 1 million fewer than Rosie O'Donnell did on her first day in 2006, and the show looked to be in for a season of tough comparisons.

''... After two weeks, 'The View' under Goldberg is averaging 3.5 million total viewers, a 7% increase from 3.3 million under O'Donnell last season.''

Now, about that Sherri Shepherd choice ...

(image via boston)