ABC's "The View" — Page 30

FYI, Thursday's show was pre-recorded.



The View Star Trek Picard Cast

Monday's show was prerecorded. Whoopi is out with the flu this week. Surprised they've only gone with four cohosts this week and didn't bring in a guest cohost.

If you watched the show in January, when Oscar nominations were announced earlier in the morning, you would see that Whoopi was visibly shocked and upset that her '10 year passion project' "TILL" was completely ignored by the Academy of voters. It did not receive one nomination. This let-down after two and a half months of everyone (including cohosts Sara Haynes and Sunni Hostin) kissing her ass, and telling Whoopi "I'm hearing Oscar buzz for you and your movie," every chance they got.

In the beginning of Hot Topics that morning, she mentioned this and the fact that no black actress got a 'Best Actress' nomination, including her own actress Danielle Deadwyler of "TILL". (Whoopi was also ignored for best supporting actress'. Within 30 seconds of Hot Topics, Whoopi mentioned this then half-heartedly uttered a 'Congratulations to the nominees' and continued on with the show. For the first time in 26 seasons that I can remember, there was absolutely NO discussion about the Oscar noms. Usually, each host has a list of which ones they were surprised got a nom, which ones they were surprised didn't get a nom. Not this season. The Oscars have NOT been brought up for conversation AT ALL for the past two months. It's more than obvious that Whoopi is pissed about this, and won't allow it at the table.

The fact that Fraser got on the show to plug his nomination is a miracle, but then again he and Whoopi go back 20 years. I have a distinct feeling that there will be very little conversation about the Oscars on Monday's show. If there will be any at length, then I'm betting Whoopi will be out on Monday so she doesn't participate.

FYI, for the remainder of this season, Friday's episodes will be taped in advance on Thursdays.

I can't believe how attack-y she got with Alyssa...and in the A-block, no less! Usually I appreciate what she has to say, because she's extremely smart, her legal expertise is needed on that show, and I frequently agree with her. But she got downright sh*tty today.

It almost looked manufactured to just keep things interesting because they haven't been in the news for a while, or as a diversion to the news that their own writers and many in the WGA East are protesting outside the ABC building in NY. (Longtime SAG-AFTRA member here, in solidarity w/ the Writers.) But then her snooty behavior in the first segment affected the tone of their interactions for the rest of the show, and she couldn't overcome it when kissing Elliot Page's ass during the segment where she promoted her book.

Not sure what go into Sunny on Wednesday.

Here's the thing, that show bodes well with consistency and as long as the "Republican seat" gets beat up on regularly, it'll never stay consisted. Hasselback only stayed because Geddie had her back.

Regarding Sunny, it's becoming uncomfortable to watch and I say that as a 20+ year viewer. Not to mention, how personal her points are becoming. No matter if you are a Liberal or not there is no debate her pointed are targeted.

So we come to the final weeks of the season (I believe once they come back on July 10, they only have four more weeks), and I must say this season was a dud. Not totally their fault - the news cycle was slow since 2023 was an off year for elections, and the 2022 mid-terms turned out to be a non-event and not the feared 'red wave' (I was happy for that). The writers strike, which kicked off the first week of May, also lent to the dud of the season - as more and more scheduled guests canceled (not to cross the picket lines outside their building), so we were left with hit-or-miss shows for the past three months (I do think Whoopi does better when she's not fighting with a teleprompter and she's talking 'off the cuff'.



The biggest surprise for me this season was Alyssa Farah Griffin. I was skeptical when she first joined as a regular in September, and wasn't too pleased with their selection. Little did I know what AFG had planned - and what a delight it has been to watch her unravel her strategy each week.

AFG had Sunny's "number" from day one. She knew what she would be up against, and played it carefully and masterfully. She didn't back away (like Joy and Sara do from Sunny), she sat there and allowed Sunny to pull out her fresh deck of cards each day. She didn't plan to fight with Sunny (like McCain enjoyed doing), she decided to undermine her - every episode. And she did it very well, indeed.

Sunny wanted to bring race into every single topic of conversation, and AFG let her - and then quietly (yet effectively) poked holes in her balloon. Sunny had to play it easy because AFG is considered a minority (her roots are Mideastern). AFG knew just how to go against Sunny without Sunny ever realizing it.

All season long, there was animosity between the two - Sunny had to keep proving she was 'better, faster, smarter' than AFG. Sunny was a 'former US prosecutor' and AFG worked in the federal government all he adult life (the past 10 years). Sunny tried to question how AFG could work for Trump and Pence and remain a Republican. In turn, AFG questioned how Sunny can be a devout Catholic and support abortion rights. (Every now and then Ana would also ask Sunny the same question - which flabbergasted Sunny).

The blow up came on June 7 - Sunny vs Alyssa, and hands down - Alyssa won. Sunny thought she could steam-roll over Alyssa (like she does the others) but Alyssa wouldn't let her. Alyssa asked the quiet part out loud: Why is it always "Sunny's View" and not the view of the women on the show ? That's not what Barbara Walters wanted when she created the show. Sunny fumed. Cut to commercial - and we're back ! Sunny is pouting like a petulant child, and will continue to pout and not make eye contact with AFG for the next few weeks. AFG showed she was the adult in the room, and never let it bother her - she showed the world what a selfish idiot Sunny is. It took all season, but her job was done - she's not taking crap from Sunny. Ever.



I doubt either one will be leaving before next season, but I think Sunny is on thin ice. Across the internet, in different chat boards, everyone is tired of Sunny's antics and bringing up 'race' into every topic (sure, some topics are about race, but not every one). AFG, on the other hand, is sitting pretty - she got the upper hand on Sunny in the very first season - something Ana, Sara And Joy have yet been able to do.

On to Season 27 !

Well, I disagree with the notion that Alyssa came in with some elaborate agenda to commit some kind of coup against Sunny, lol. They're paid to have opinions and it's a 1-hour show. Alyssa does seem to either be aware or to have been coached (or, heck, just watch it for 25 years) to know what strong personalities she's up against. I am more liberal and Alyssa is not, but value Alyssa's experience at such a high level. Like was mentioned above, none of them are cookie-cutter archetypes; Sunny is Catholic and anti-abortion, but liberal. Alyssa comes from a Syrian family but has divorce and estrangement, and she's a Republican. I don't understand how she worked in the White House and on Capitol Hill since getting out of college and stayed for 10 years, as that's a feat in itself to get in so young and she's only 34. But hey, she did it, and her experience and contacts are valuable...just as Meghan's were...but without Meghan's sh*tty attitude, and just an articulate, composed delivery of her views, and counter-arguments. Sunny's opinions and experiences are useful too, especially to break down the process of Trump's 3 indictments (and counting) and how those trials are going to go. Neither of them are going anywhere due to their contacts and unique government experiences, alone.

As they all said on the show today, when memorializing the apparent sudden death of longtime former producer Bill Geddie, they are paid for their opinions and literally cannot sit quiet. But yeah, the occasional surprise personal attack or snark isn't pleasant to watch.

RIP Bill Geddie. He was 68 and was a large part of why the show was, and remains, so successful. He apparently died unexpectedly of a heart-related condition.

All 6 "The View" cohosts returning for Season 27