News, Reviews & Commentary on Lesbian and Bisexual women in Entertainment and the Media

Whoopi officially joins "The View"

On today's episode of The View, Barbara Walters announced that Whoopi Goldberg now has a permanent seat in the moderator's chair.

The news broke in unverified form last week, but ABC declined to comment. On today's show, Whoopi noted that people — including her own mother — have been hassling her for the final word. She called her new job "a big ol' thrill" but admitted she hasn't thought about her wardrobe "one iota":

"I know you wouldn't want me to pretend to be anything but me."

The other cohosts agreed that they want her just as she is. Walters even urged Whoopi to be "a little edgy," but Whoopi said, "I've always been nice," and promised to be careful not to use the words she uses "every day."

Whoopi has proven her skills as a frequent guest host, and even Elisabeth Hasselbeck has expressed her faith in the new moderator. I'm a longtime Whoopi fan — I even liked that short-lived talk show she did in the early '90s, though I think I was the only one. She's just an all-around fascinating person, and when she talks, I want to listen. And laugh, usually — but never without respect, because she commands that.

The rumors last week included talk of Sherri Shepherd joining the View crew too. That would be quite something: Not one, but two African-American cohosts? I hope it happens. Sherri was one of the best guests ever on The Ellen DeGeneres Show.



Either way, why aren't I excited about the cohost change(s)? And why is The View still not going back on my list of things to record?

Yeah. It's just never going to be that entertaining again.

Whoopi Goldberg starts her new gig Sept. 4, the day after Labor Day.

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  • Name Me's picture

    I don't watch the View, and

    I don't watch the View, and I still won't, even after Whoopi joins in. But I think it's great anyway. I can't help myself: I love Whoopi (like mostly everybody I know...).

    So... Go Whoopi, go! Rock on!

    smokinbluegrass's picture

    Yes!

    Finally someone on the network/production side has reattached his or her head to his or her body.                                                                                                               "I think on-stage nudity is disgusting, shameful and damaging to all things American. But if I were 22 with a great body, it would be artistic, tasteful, patriotic and a progressive religious experience."--Shelley Winters
    Scout's picture

    Whoopi

    I'm not sure if Whoopi and the View are a good fit, but I'll tune in just to see her!
    MOOK's picture

    ole Whoopi

    To tell the truth i thought she was dead but i guess not but i will tune in just to see and if i like it then i will watch it and if i don't like it then i probably won't watch.
    Laura's picture

    Oh, I dunno...

    I like Whoopi.  I really do -- ever since the "Around the world in 80 m-----f----n' days..." days.  But she's mellowed out since then (as I expect anyone would), and she just seems like such a... safe choice for co-host.  But I suppose anyone would be after Rosie.  I just want some of the fireworks back.  That was some good, make-you-squirm-a-little tv.     
    octoberist's picture

    hooray

    I've got a massive crush on whoopi. It's a shame we don't get the view here.
    Anonymous's picture

    bring it

    "The other cohosts agreed that they want her just as she is. Walters even urged Whoopi to be "a little edgy..."

     

    What was it my mother used to say?  ‘Be careful what you wish for?’  Oh, how I hope Whoopi brings the edge.  Yes, Baba’s asking for it now, but, ya know, that’s the funny thing about people like her...

    Becky C.'s picture

    But I wanted Kathy Griffin

    I was so much hoping that Kathy Griffin would get it--she is such a dyke hag. And in my wildest dreams I had hoped for Sarah Silverman:)
    Laura's picture

    Yes.

    Seconded.  And seconded.  Hot Topics would be a dream come true if either of those two got the spot.  Poor Barbara would have a barely controlled conniption fit every morning.
    867-5309's picture

    I held out hope

    I held out hope it would be Kathy Griffin. Oh well.

    The good news is that since it's not Kathy Griffin I'll have an extra hour a day in my life. I really only have time for one daily syndicated talk show and Ellen is my favorite!!

     For now I'll just have to wait for another season of My Life on the D-List for my Kathy Griffin fix.

    abbagirl's picture

    the glory days are over

    i was a huge fan of the show when it first began, with the original line-up of meredith, star, joy, barbara, and lisa ling (i was so disappointed by how mild lisa ling was, though; she was too deferential to the others).  those were the days when the show was more intelligent and together, i think.

    rosie did something different to the show when she came on board.  she certainly shook things up and took the show to another level.  but the appeal of the view to the masses and the growing viewership stemmed purely from the shock value of her presence and her words, and not necessarily from anything substantive.

    that being said, i certainly won't make it a point to watch just 'cause whoopi's on board.  she bores me.  as laura says, she seems too much of a safe choice.  if anything, i absolutely love joy behar, the one consistently smart, funny, and insightful lady on the show.  but even she can't save the sinking ship that is the view.

    ------------------------------ 

    'twas brillig, and the slithy toves

    did gyre and gimble in the wabe:

    all mimsy were the borogoves,

    and the mome raths outgrabe

    cylonangel's picture

    Gosh, I would have never thought of Whoopi...

    ..as being a "safe" choice. Maybe I'm showing my age?

    I think this is a great move by Babs&Co. It's the damn View. Four white women representing American Women? Friggin' ridiculous, I don't care if one of them was queer. And I'm white and American, but I tell you my world doesn't look like that and never has.

    I also loved the days of Star Jones and Lisa Ling. It kinda lost it's shine after that.

    I hope Whoopi goes out and shakes things up. In my experience, that's what American women do. ;)

    "Great minds think alike. They just don't always reach the same conclusion" - stolen from the Little Dutch Girl