March 29, 2024

Newton native to join as host of ‘The View’

Haines shares expectations in preparation of show

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After filling in for the past season, Newton native Sara Haines will finally be in a position she’s wanted since the start of her career. Beginning the first week in September, Haines will be an official member of “The View.”

“I’ve always loved the setting of talk TV and off-script television,” Haines said. “It’s so different from the regular morning news, although I like that too. ‘The View' has the talk format I’ve always wanted to go to.”

Haines was born in Newton and grew up here with her parents and three siblings as the third of four children. A 1996 Newton High School graduate, Haines attended Smith College in Northampton, Mass., where she received a degree in government in 2000. Prior to joining ABC News as a lifestyle anchor for “Good Morning America” in 2013, Haines was known for her role on the fourth hour of NBC’s “Today Show,” alongside Kathie Lee Gifford and Hoda Kotb, a position she had from 2009 until 2013.

Between the change of jobs, her marriage to New York lawyer Max Shifrin and the birth of her son in March, the past few years have been an adventure for Haines.

“It was really exhausting and there was just no regularity,” Haines said. “Although I had amazing opportunities with ABC Good Morning America, I was running around all the time.”

Haines said working on a show like “The View” is something she’s been wanting for more than a decade.

“When I first started out in the industry and spoke with my agent, I said my dream would be to host a talk show like Regis and Kelly, Kathi Lee and Hoda or The View,” Haines said.

Haines said she likes the type of topical news, celebrity news and interviewing styles that “The View” presents. She also believes she brings a different element to the hosts on the show.

“I think I bring relatability to the show,” Haines said. “I didn’t grow up on TV like a lot of the people in New York. I grew up in Newton, Iowa. I was always up against people with internships and more opportunity than me. As a kid, I was a middle child and kind of the cohesive element bringing light air when things were tense, and I think I do that on the show too.”

As a child, Haines detasseled corn during the summers and delivered the Jasper County Advertiser every week. She said growing up in Newton taught her discipline.

“I’ve never been the one that was best at anything I did,” Haines said. “I’ve always known when you want something you had to work hard for it. But if it’s work that you enjoy, it’s not hard and you’ll be the one that sticks it out when everyone else is tired.”

Haines said in her position, she tries to make sure she is doing the best she absolutely can before looking forward, onto the next best thing. Since her family no longer lives in Newton, she doesn’t come back often. Haines missed her class reunion this past spring and will miss the Iowa State Fair, but after getting used to her new schedule on “The View,” hopes to not miss another reunion or fair.

“I always miss [Iowa] and definitely miss my dear friends,” Haines said. “I still reminisce about Newton a lot and I’m still a proud Newtonian. I’ve learned not to take things for granted and I’ll always remember where I’m from.”

The season premiere of “The View” is Sept. 15.