N.Y. Times reporter steps into ‘The View’

Lola Ogunnaike, who covers television and other entertainment topics for the New York Times, filled in as “special guest co-host” on Monday’s edition of ABC’s chat fest “The View.”

She came across as remarkably poised and telegenic, especially for someone who works at a newspaper, where reporters are not generally renowned for their charming and personable natures.

Ogunnaike relaxed enough to joke about her personal life, revealing that, for example, she did not live with her boyfriend before marrying him. “My mother -- I love her -- she has great advice, and she was like, ‘Why buy the cow if you can get the milk for free?’ ” She added mischievously that her husband has “enjoyed a few milkshakes since then.”

A spokesman for “The View” said that Ogunnaike was paid union scale for her appearance.

Readers of the New York Times who don’t watch “The View” may be surprised to learn all this, because the paper has not seen Ogunnaike’s on-air moonlighting as news that is fit to print, even though she has recently written about other ABC shows.

In fact, two of her three most recent articles concerned ABC. On Sept. 28, she published a long, flattering story spotlighting Shonda Rhimes, creator of ABC’s biggest hit, “Grey’s Anatomy.”

And on Thursday -- three days after her “View” appearance -- she delivered another favorable piece, about how the makeup and costume designers on ABC’s new hit “Ugly Betty” make actress America Ferrera look garish and nerdy. Neither article disclosed Ogunnaike’s association with “The View,” which has evidently been in the works for months. The program says she sent producers an audition tape in July. It’s unclear whether she was aiming for the slot vacated by former “View” regular Star Jones.

Ogunnaike did not return a phone call and e-mail requesting comment. When Channel Island asked whether editors had approved her ABC stint and whether she had been paid for it, New York Times spokeswoman Catherine Mathis e-mailed back: “These are all fair questions, but since they relate to an individual employee, we cannot comment.”

As for “The View,” the producers seem happy with Ogunnaike’s performance.

“Lola sent me a tape that underwhelmed me, but she was terrific in the interview so we gave her a shot,” executive producer Bill Geddie wrote in an e-mail.

“The New York Times connection was unimportant. In fact, it probably worked against her. Newspaper people often don’t translate to television and this is, first and foremost, a lively entertainment show and experience counts. Despite all of that, Lola blew us away. She was funny, prepared and personable. We plan to have her back again soon.”

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Channel Island is a blog about the television industry. For the latest posting, go to latimes.com/channelisland. Contact reporter Scott Collins at channelisland@latimes.com