ABC Dictates Rosie O'Donnell's Hairdo

Evidently, when it comes to its TV show "The View," ABC is not all that interested in diversity of opinion.

The consistently left-leaning Rosie O'Donnell has been selected to be a co-host of the daytime show, replacing Meredith Vieira who snagged Katie Couric's old gig.

"The View" actually could have gotten interesting if the powers that be had picked "Everybody Loves Raymond" star Patricia Heaton, who was rumored to have been under consideration.

With the new panel, Barbara Walters will likely have her hands full as she plays referee for Joy Behar, Star Jones and O'Donnell while Elizabeth Hasselbeck struggles to get in a word.

Interestingly, ABC seems to have a more pressing concern than whether any of the panelists will actually be heard. The network apparently wants to micro-manage O'Donnell's hair.

The actress-comedienne's contract with the network purportedly prohibits her from cutting her locks too short.

The Left Coast Report suspects that burned in execs' memories is the time O'Donnell gave herself a "GI Jane" look in an attempt to imitate pop singer Helen Terry.