It’s official: Rosie’s back on ‘The View’

The rumor is true: Rosie O’Donnell is rejoining “The View” — set to return at the beginning of Season 18 this fall.

The comedian, actress and former talk show host left “The View” after one tumultuous season in 2007. Since then she hosted a short-lived Chicago-based chatfest on Oprah Winfrey’s OWN network, in the old studios of Winfrey’s long-running daily talk show.

†Not confirmed, but widely rumored is the news Meghan McCain, the daughter of Sen. John McCain, the 2008 GOP presidential candidate, has been tapped to slip into the “conservative” slot on “The View.” That said, the younger McCain is not all that conservative on social issues. While she pretty much toes-the-line on the Republicans’ smaller government, fiscal and economic philosophy, McCain is an advocate for gay marriage and is pro-choice.

†By the way, “The View” producers have announced a number of guest hosts for next week, including McCain in what will likely be a trial run — plus WGN-TV’s morning show feature reporter Ana Belaval.