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Michelle Collins Bids Farewell to Los Angeles as She Readies to Join 'The View'

By Brock Wilbur
Twitter

The 19th season of The View is about to begin production, and Los Angeles comedian Michelle Collins will be taking her rightful place at the table -- and living full time in New York.

"I'm in a Jay Z state of mind at all times," she joked. "This is my city. I love ... I just love drinking here, really."

In July, ET confirmed the news that Collins was joining actress Raven-Symone as the show's two new permanent co-hosts. The news came as Rosie Perez announced that she was stepping down from the show after one season to focus on acting. By August, it was also confirmed that the show’s other newcomer, Nicolle Wallace, would not be returning for a second season.

As for Collins, the 34-year-old comedian, blogger, and pop culture commentator has often brought her fiery energy to The View in recent months, having served as a guest co-host more than a dozen times since the beginning of the year.

On Thursday night, Collins took over the Upright Citizens Brigade Theater in Hollywood for an impromptu going-away party, and ETonline was in attendance.

WATCH: Michelle Collins Joins 'The View'

Collins was glowing as she took the stage to tell jokes, stories, and delight in the ridiculousness of her newfound fame. The loose structure highlighted what fans will miss most when Collins leaves -- namely her effortless ability to weave an elaborate and nearly punishing series of laugh-lines from almost nothing.

So now that L.A. has been forced to bid adieu to Collins, here's a list of five reasons we'll always love her, even if she transforms into a drama llama on The View.


1. When she joined ETonline.

Earlier this year, ET brought Collins on as a special awards show blogger. Her introduction to our readership sums up Collins better than we ever could, and you should read it in its entirety here.

Her assessment of the Academy Awards included this fabulous description:

"Listen, you can hate foreigners for whatever reason you like-Dad-but I dare you to find a single reason to hate the Hollywood Foreign Press Association. While I've never seen a single member of this group with my own eyes, I picture them to be a swinging group of "journalists" who pool their earnings together and buy enough vodka to inebriate a small state."

WATCH: EXCLUSIVE: Rosie O'Donnell on Why She Quit 'The View'


2. She anchored Walk of Shame Shuttle.

Collins was one of three drivers on the Taxicab Confessions-style VH1 show, and she brought the perfect mix of deprecation and support. Check out one of her segments here.


3. She gave us more than we bargained for in Martini Minute.

Before stepping out in front of the camera, Collins was the online editor for VH1's Best Week Ever for six years, and used the position to launch a web-series called Martini Minute -- wherein she interviewed celebrities for the length of time it required to drink a martini.

Here's an early interview with Adam Lambert:

NEWS: Why Jenny McCarthy Left 'The View'


4. She's been EVERYWHERE.

Her award-winning comedy has garnered her Logo TV's NewNowNext Award for Breakout Comic in 2010, the year she joined the network's The Gossip Queens as co-host, and the ECNY Award for Best Female Stand-up in 2009. That same year she was also named "Comedian to Watch" by YRB magazine.

Other TV creds include Chelsea Lately, The Tyra Banks Show, The Joy Behar Show on HLN, Big Morning Buzz Live, and various VH1 countdown shows.

She's even written for Vanity Fair. Yes, that Vanity Fair.


5. She's a comedic giant.

Towering over other comedians -- at a height of more than six feet -- she has a look and frame that belongs to her alone in modern comedy. She's built an empire in a few short years, and now it rests on her majestic shoulders. Nothing puts it in perspective quite like this hilarious interview with the New Kids on the Block.

WATCH: Jenny McCarthy Compares 'The View' to the Titanic

So that's our Michelle! We'll miss her but -- oh god -- we cannot wait for her to pull Whoopi Goldberg back down to earth.


The View has had a long history of co-host turnover since it debuted in 1997. In March, former The View co-host Jenny McCarthy sat down with Howard Stern, where she shared a dire prediction for the future of the show. Check out the video below to hear what McCarthy thinks about The View.