ABC’s “The View” has had its hot moments this summer, with their daily opening segment “Hot Topics” really spicing things up on this morning talk show. The current cast of all female hosts includes Elizabeth Hasselbeck, the token right wing Conservative; wannabe Jew (she’s actually Italian) and liberal Joy Behar; and Barbara Walters, who brings a calm and stern attitude to the set. As viewers may remember, it was this calm sternness that made former “View” co-host Star Jones want to spoon her eyeballs out; of course, Barbara fired her before she could do that.
This fall on September 5, “The View” will debut its 10th season by replacing Meredith Vieira (who has taken Katie Couric’s place on “the Today Show”) with their newest co-host: Rosie O’Donnell. O’Donnell has achieved fame, especially recently, as a lesbian mother, married woman and former talk show host with seven Emmy Awards.
Because “The View” has a mass appeal that results from each woman sharing her very unique view, Rosie will definitely bring interest and controversy to this daytime talk show. In the previews of this upcoming season, Rosie is shown sitting next to staunchly conservative Elizabeth, which should bring some interesting conflict; one would think that would think they would want to put those two as far away as possible. Chances are that Joy and Rosie will hit it off, and anytime Elizabeth tries to comment, she will be struck down with a hard “no” by her co-hosts. If Barbara still wants to act as the peace keeper on her show, she might have to work harder.
For viewers hoping to enjoy “The View” for the first time this season, it is important to understand where each of the women
is coming from. Joy is a former comedian and heated Italian. Barbara is getting older and older, so guests and her co-hosts treat her a bit like their grandmother. Elizabeth, who made it to the final four on “Survivor: The Australian Outback,” joined “The View” in 2003.
Hot topics are always sweltering on “The View,” and this season is sure to bring even more; what with new perspectives from Rosie O’Donnell, Joy’s usual outlandish comments, and Elizabeth always butting in with a quip about church or some right-wing perspective on the topics of the day.