By Travis Reilly, TheWrap.com August 8, 2014 @ 9:01 am
ABC
Reports surfaced Friday claiming Whoopi Goldberg referred to Barbara Walters as a “cranky 85-year-old woman” during a test screening Thursday for new “View” co-hosts, but ABC insists it never happened at all.
“Someone has tried to stir this pot before. This is absolutely absurd,” a ABC spokesperson told TheWrap. “Whoopi is a consummate professional and has an enormous amount of respect for Barbara with whom she has a professional and personal relationship. Unless you were there and heard it first hand, this is nothing more than mean and hurtful rumor.”
TheWrap confirmed Thursday that Goldberg, and returning “View”co-host Rosie O’Donnell, both took part in chemistry test screenings to narrow down co-hosts to replace Sherri Shepherd and Jenny McCarthy, who are both departing Monday.
According to TMZ, the diss happened after the test screening had finished. Goldberg allegedly told several producers and the other co-hosts “[I’ve been] working with a cranky 85-year-old woman who’s mad about everything for 2 years, and I need a break,” a clear reference to Walters, who left the show in May.
It implied Goldberg’s comment came after a heated and “nasty” discussion about abortion with co-host contender S.E. Cupp from CNN’s “Crossfire.” The report also said O’Donnell chimed in, saying she didn’t want another host like Elisabeth Hasselbeck, the show’s former feisty conservative who is now hosting “Fox & Friends.”
(Ed. Note: The overhaul/makeover of The View continued Thursday when it was confirmed that longtime producer Bill Geddie, 59, is being replaced, perhaps by the MSNBC producer of The Rachel Maddow Show.)
ABC Disputes Report Claiming ‘The View’s’ Whoopi Goldberg Took Shot at Barbara Walters
This I think didn’t happen. I have watched The View for years. I was glad when Elisabeth left. I will miss Sherri. I only watch the view now because of Whoopi. She has respect for the guests and others working with her. I love you Whoopi, keep up the good work. Please don’t leave.
I agree 100% with Emma Chauhan comment. I love Barbara Walters , Whoopi, Sherry and Jenny. If Whoopi leaves there will be no reason for me to watch The View anymore. Sorry about that ; but that is how I feel. It will be terrible for all of Barbara’s hard work to be lost, and what about Mr. Geddie.