Watching The View

Today’s guest co-host on The View was Maria Menounos from Access Hollywood. Her dress was similar to the one that Barbara was wearing. Maria was poised with her Blackberry to give the latest on Lindsay Lohan’s most recent arrest, but thankfully that topic was passed until later.

The first topic was the YouTube debate between the Democratic candidates last night. All the women thought that the debate was fun and interesting. Elisabeth Hasselbeck thinks that perhaps this has changed with the debate format forever. She thought that Barack Obama gave the best answers, but that Hillary Clinton came off as bland. According to Barbara, “the poll” indicated that Hillary won the debate. (She did not say what poll she was referring to or what the numbers were).

Elisabeth liked that Barack fired a shot a Hillary by saying that they should not have gotten into the war to begin with. Barbara said that he says that in every debate. It is clear that Barbara supports Hillary. I thought that she always prided herself on being objective? Joy Behar liked that the candidates got mad at the debate. Maria added that maybe that is our problem is that we are not angry enough. Joy and Elisabeth had a brief animated discussion about the start of the War in Iraq and Barbara scolded them again.

Lindsay Lohan was arrested early this morning for DUI and she also possessed cocaine. Joy said that her alcohol ankle bracelet was just an accessory to her so that she could get more attention. Maria thinks that Lindsay is trying to make an effort and that is why she wore the bracelet. Elisabeth said that she thinks people should be socially responsible for their actions, not just legally responsible.

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Victoria Recaño from The Insider appeared as the guest host, on what apparently is “tabloid co-host” week on The View. She said that The Insider has “an amazing newsroom” and embedded sources. Her 24-year-old brother lives with her and her husband.

They discussed the death of Tammy Faye Baker. Victoria thinks that she had faith that she would beat the cancer and that is why she went on Larry King Live just a few days before her death. Elisabeth Hasselbeck said that she wanted to show her faith and positive thinking and to spread that to others. Elisabeth asked who do you know that in their lifetime were both a voice for the Christian community and a gay icon? Victoria said that she wanted to be remembered for being a gracious human being.

They talked about whether celebrities should go out on top or wait until their fame peters out. Jay Leno is supposed to end his time at NBC in 2009, but he is so popular he may stay on. Joy Behar said that as long as someone has a nice head of hair, you will continue to watch them. Elisabeth said that she loves a bald man, no doubt in reference to her own (balding) husband.

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Sherri Shepherd returned again as guest host. Barbara Walters continued her quest to talk about sex as much as possible (what has gotten into her?) and said that there is a new study that the seven-year itch is no more and now that after only three years, the spark goes out of marriages. Sherri said she is with her husband for six years, but hasn’t had the “itch” yet. Joy said that when they are Italy, their relationship sizzles more. Elisabeth said that maybe it is a disappointment for men after marriage, because the women are wearing sloppy clothes and not looking as cute. She said that her relationship with Tim is still sizzling, but you have to make it sizzle.

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Here is the schedule for next week on The View. There are lots of new guest hosts next week, four of them from tabloid television shows (The Insider, Access Hollywood, Extra, and E! News Daily). Don’t you think it is odd that they are all guest hosting in the same week?

There will also be four stars from the film Hairspray sprinkled throughout the week.

MON., JULY 23 - Guest co-host Victoria Recano (”The Insider”); Amanda Bynes (”Hairspray”).

TUES., JULY 24 - Guest co-host Maria Menounos (”Access Hollywood”); musical guest Minnie Driver.

WED., JULY 25 - Guest co-host Giuliana DePandi (”E! News Daily”); James Marsden (”Hairspray”); Cheryl Ladd.

THURS., JULY 26 - Guest co-host Dayna Devon (”Extra”); Martin Sheen; musical guest Billy Ray Cyrus.

FRI., JULY 27 - Guest co-host Sherri Shepherd; John Travolta and Queen Latifah (”Hairspray”).

Paula Abdul was today’s guest co-host. They talked about the explosion in New York City yesterday, which many believed was a terrorist attack at first. One man died of a heart attack. There is a risk that asbestos got into the air that may be dangerous. Paula said that the fear is not the same in Los Angeles. She said she was in NYC for the “bombing,” but Barbara corrected her that she meant when the planes crashed.

She is dating J.T. Torregiani, who is a younger man by 12 years. She joked that he likes to play with Legos. She said it is best for her to get a relationship going in the off-season of American Idol so that Simon cannot torment her about him. Joy asked Paula if she had to chose, who she would rather have sex with Randy or Simon. She said Randy because Simon is too selfish and would be yelling his own name out during sex.

They showed a clip from her show Hey Paula, where she was exhausted and acting goofy. She said that it happened during a very concentrated time in her life when she was very busy. She said that she learned a valuable lesson and the next time she will sleep with the editor. She said that rumors about her have gotten boring. She said that if you watch the show you will see that her behavior is because of lack of sleep, not drugs or alcohol. She said that it is hard for her to sleep from chronic spinal cord injuries that she has as a result of a plane crash she was involved in.Paula said that she is not in pain right now, but she goes through bouts of being in pain. She said that she has plates in her head. She said that pain medication does not work for her because she is allergic to it. She said that she has become a guinea pig testing out biogenic medicine.

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Sherri Shepherd was in as guest host again. The increasing frequency of her guest appearances make me think that she has got to be at the top of the list for a permanent spot. Sherri got a call last night from Andy Dick at 4:00 a.m., who wanted to clear up what happened between him and Jon Lovitz. He told Sherri that he approached Jon Lovitz to do a movie and he starting fighting with him. Joy mentioned yesterday that Lovitz blames Dick for giving cocaine to Phil Hartman’s wife not long before she shot Phil and killed herself. Andy said that he did not know that Phil Hartman’s wife was sober for 10 years prior to giving her cocaine. He also said that she approached him for the cocaine. Sherri and Andy then prayed about the issue over the phone.

Barbara Walters mentioned a new study that lists the following reasons why people have sex:

Fight boredom

Helps you to fall asleep/get rid of stress headache

Revenge

For a job

Sherri said that she does it to keep warm and Joy said she does it so she isn’t tempted to have a midnight snack.

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Ross “the intern” Mathews sat in as guest host today. He talked about how he lost over 50 pounds on Celebrity Fit Club. Barbara asked how he did it and he said it was just the old-fashioned way of dieting and exercise. Joy joked that he lost his testosterone. Ross quipped back, “I never had any.” His next plan is to tone-up and get muscles. He mentioned his blog and all of his “blog-buddies.”

Senator David Vitter used an escort service in the past. He denies that he went to a brothel in New Orleans. His wife stood by him at his press conference. Joy said that the problem is the hypocrisy in that he questions other people’s morals, when he is not a moral man himself. Elisabeth said that people who are making decisions for our national security should not do anything to that could lead to them being blackmailed.

Barbara Walters said that Lindsay Lohan deserves great credit because she stayed in rehab for 45 days and is wearing an alcohol monitoring bracelet. After leaving rehab, she went to clubs in Las Vegas. Elisabeth said maybe that she is trying to test herself. Ross said it is like going to an all-you-can-eat buffet when you are diet, although he admitted that he did just go to a buffet and ate fruit, so maybe it is possible. (For a second I thought he was going to mention that he was on Rosie’s cruise, but he did not).

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Here is a video that Ross Mathews posted on his blog this morning. It shows him after he had just woken up this morning and he discusses how nervous and excited he is to be co-hosting The View today. He believes that the key to his success today will be to flirt with Barbara Walters.

The View, Ross Mathews, The Tonight Show, Barbara Walters

Here is a clip of the discussion from Monday’s episode of The View, where Elisabeth Hasselbeck talks about her bladder issues, courtesy of Best Week Ever.

The View, Elisabeth Hasselbeck, bladder problems, pregnancy

Sherri Shepherd returned as guest host today, along with the three permanent hosts. Elisabeth Hasselbeck told an embarrassing story about her lack of bladder control during this pregnancy. She said that sometimes when she laughs she “tinkles” a little and she has to go more often than normally. Elisabeth and her family were driving to their storage unit in New Jersey this past weekend and she had to go to the bathroom urgently all of a sudden. She took two of her daughter’s diapers, went into the storage unit, and took care of business. She said that those things work really well.

Al Sharpton is upset with TMZ for calling Beyonce a “robo ho” for a costume that she was wearing, saying it was racist and sexist. They then got into a discussion (again, for the, what third, fourth time?) about who can use the “N-word” and who cannot. Sherri said that if you are not Black, she does not want to hear you say it. She said that she has no problem with “ho,” though, and likes how it sounds.

There are two books about Hillary Clinton, one written by Carl Bernstein who is on the show today. He revealed in the book that while he was governor, Bill Clinton wanted a divorce because he was involved with another woman, but Hillary said “no way.” Elisabeth thinks that was a strong thing to do. Sherri said it is not easy to let someone go when you have a marriage bond.

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Former co-host on The View Star Jones Reynolds prepared for her new Court TV show by participating in the Turner Summer 2007 TCA Press Tour this past weekend. Her new show will premiere later this year. When asked to speak about her departure from The View, this is what she had to say:

I was part of an amazing pop-culture experience. Barbara Walters gave me the opportunity of a lifetime. So I’m not going to do anything that damages that warm feeling I had. I’m not going to pile on, I’m not going to participate in any of the silliness.

But if you want to know something I’m disappointed in, it’s the fact that there’s no person of color who has been permanently placed and part of the cast of The View. We all brought different values to the table and when you’re putting forth a show you need to make it look like the fabric of society. That’s the only thing I would encourage, a permanent person of color, who is a professional, because that was my job, to bring the facts to the forefront.

Source

Here are a couple of photos from the tour. I still have a difficult time recognizing her with her new look.

The View, Star Jones Reynolds, Star Jones, Court TV, Turner Summer 2007 TCA Press Tour

Here is a video of the Perez Hilton segment on today’s episode of The View.

The View, Perez Hilton, Elisabeth Hasselbeck, Whoopi Goldberg, Joy Behar, Sherri Shepherd

In what was probably recorded on Monday, this new (but taped) episode again featured co-hosts Sherri Shepherd and Whoopi Goldberg, with Barbara Walters being absent. Elisabeth is contemplating getting a 3-D ultrasound, but she doesn’t want to see too much of the baby before its born. Sherri had one done and it was cute because her son always “kept his hand on his little piece” in the pictures.

Whoopi brought up the topic that some people think that Barack Obama is “not Black enough.” Sherri said she is concerned about things that are not black and white issues, such as health care and poverty. Joy said that Obama was criticized for calling America “a magical place.” Whoopi said considering how recent slavery and Jim Crow laws are in our history, it is magical that we are considering electing a Black man.

They talked about today’s guest Perez Hilton, who has what Joy called the most-hated website, although it gets millions of hits everyday. He calls Elisabeth, “Elisabitch.” Joy said that she is the farthest thing from a bitch. Whoopi said that people like to see celebrities slide. Sherri said she goes to his site everyday to see what celebrities are up to. Whoopi revealed that she doesn’t have a computer, but she has an iPhone. She doesn’t know what a blog is.

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Here is next week’s schedule.  The highlight for me will be Ross Mathews co-hosting on Tuesday.  Also, I am suprised to see Paula Abdul co-hosting next Thursday.  After watching a couple of episodes of her show Hey, Paula, I am very intrigued to see how she will handle live television.  Also note that Sherri Shepherd will be co-hosting three times.  Looks like she is becoming more of a front-runner?

MON., JULY 16 - Guest co-host Sherri Shepherd; Harry Hamlin & Lisa Rinna (Broadway’s “Chicago”).

TUES., JULY 17 - Guest co-host Ross “The Intern” Mathews; Tony(r) Award winner Kristin Chenoweth.

WED., JULY 18 - Guest co-host Sherri Shepherd; Alan Alda (”Resurrecting the Champ”); musical guest Taylor Hicks.

THURS., JULY 19 - Celebrity guest co-host Paula Abdul (”Hey Paula”); Glenn Close (”Damages”).

FRI., JULY 20 - Guest co-host Sherri Shepherd; Ashley Judd.

As I mentioned yesterday, the first half of The View was preempted on Thursday because of a White House press conference. As a result, the only parts of the hot topics that I was able to watch was what was posted on the ABC website. I think it was the majority of the segments. Any of my Canadian viewers or those who live in a time zone not subject to preemption, let me know if there were any other topics that they discussed that are not below.

The first topic was about how a woman and her baby were kicked off of an airplane because the baby kept saying “Bye bye plane!” during the safety demonstration. Mario said that he would only be flying that airline now because he hates children. He said that everywhere he goes, he is always near a child. He joked that it was punishment from God for his sexuality. He said that he would have done what the airline did. When the audience moaned, he joked “Don’t moan unless you are having sex with me, is that clear?”

Elisabeth said as a mom it is difficult being on the plane when your child is crying. She joked that she brings stickers and roofies for the person stuck sitting next to her. Mario said that he is very nervous when flying and holds onto the seat thinking “I’m in the freakin’ air!” He also revealed that he has been in a long-term relationship for 16 years.

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