Watching The View

Star Jones Reynolds, who is on a publicity campaign for her new television show on Court TV, recently acknowledged that she alienated The View audience with her frequent discussion of her lavish wedding. Her unending discussion of the details of her wedding, along with her unwillingness to disclose that she had lost her weight as a result of gastric bypass surgery, caused viewers to turn away from her, and the show. That is reportedly why the show did not renew her contract. She did not admit to the surgery until last month.

This is what she said recently on the topic:

I had lost the immediate connection that I had with my audience.

Yes, I enjoyed planning the wedding of my dreams, marrying the man of my dreams. But I take responsibility 100 percent for enjoying celebrity a bit too much. I screwed up. … It’s intoxicating. I sucked it into my lungs and let it get into my bloodstream.
source

Her new show, Star Jones, will premiere Monday on Court TV.

The View, Star Jones, Court TV

Have you ever wondered what Joy Behar’s longtime boyfriend Steve Janowitz looks like? I found a couple of photos of them together, the first from Rosemary Clooney’s 75th birthday celebration and the second from a costume party.

Joy Behar, The View, Steve Janowitz

Now is your chance to ask Star Jones about what really went on behind the scenes at The View during her awkward departure last year. Court TV (the channel that her new show is on) is sponsoring a “Star for a Day” contest where you can win a trip to New York City, see a taping of Star’s new show, and have lunch with Star. For all the details visit Court TV here.

The View, Star for a Day, CourtTV, Star Jones, Star Jones-Reynolds

Joy Behar, enjoying the hiatus from The View, made an appearance over the weekend at an event in the Hamptons called Hampton SOCIAL @ Ross, which featured a performance by James Taylor.

Joy Behar, The View, Hampton SOCIAL @ Ross

During the first part of The View on Thursday, which was preempted by the Presidential press conference, I decided to record a short podcast.

I really like doing them, but I need more things to talk about, especially with the show on hiatus. So, please let me know what you want to hear me talk about. It could be about hot topics (from the show or one you make up), about the hosts, etc. Just leave your ideas in the comments or e-mail at askwinnie(at)gmail.com.

On this episode:
Whoopi Goldberg is named new host
Who will be the fifth host?

 

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Watching the view, The View, The View podcast, Whoopi Goldberg, Barbara Walters, Sherri Shepherd, Elisabeth Hasselbeck, Joy Behar, podcast

I apologize for this recap being a week or so late. I posted previously about Whoopi Goldberg being named the new moderator at the end of the episode, but had not yet posted a full recap.

Barbara Walters spent several minutes talking about the “bad girls,” like Britney Spears. The news is pretty outdated at this point, so I won’t rehash it here. To sum up the conversation: Britney Spears may be a bad mother. Nicole Richie is pregnant and is going to jail.

Elisabeth Hasselbeck said that New York City hospitals are planning to stop giving free formula and information on formula to women who give birth at the hospitals. Their intent is to promote breast feeding. She thinks it is “atrocious” and they should “mind their own business and get out of my breast.” Joy pointed out that the city does have to give you anything and you can just go out and buy formula.

Joy said that she breastfed for five months, until her daughter starting “gnawing” on her. She said that she wished she would have gone longer, maybe two years. Elisabeth said that once the child is old enough to ask for milk it should no longer be breast milk.
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The first 25 minutes or so of The View were preempted due to a Presidential press conference. When the show finally came on the air, it was in the middle of the interview with Anne Hathaway. She was on the show to promote her new film Becoming Jane, which is about the life of Jane Austen. She said that would choose love over money, which is the question that her movie raises. She added that she likes a man to take care of her, but knows that she can also take care of herself.

Guest host Joan Rivers mentioned that Anne has been able to stay on the straight and narrow and Anne joked, “as far as you know.” The audience applauded that Anne is not a party girl and Anne said that being able to stay out of prison really should not garner applause. She said that going to college for a short time, although she did not graduate, was a big help to keeping her out of trouble.

Barbara Walters made Anne get up and show her how to curtsy. Anne was a little worried about taking the role in this movie, because she was scared to fail at playing one of her heroes, Jane Austen.

The four stars of Mission: Man Band also appeared on the show. They are four former boy band members: Chris Kirkpatrick from N’Sync, Jeff Timmons from 98 Degrees, Bryan Abrams from Color Me Badd, and Rich Cronin from LFO. Their new show is a reality show which follows them as they try to make it together as a new group.

In 2005, Rich was diagnosed with Leukemia. He said that it was hard to go through it, especially seeing his parents and other family members deal with his illness. When he got the diagnosis, his father asked the doctor, “What are his chances,” and then it hit him what a serious illness he was facing.

Bryan is an alcoholic and relapsed after getting back into the music business on the show. He said that he picked himself up and said he is not going to do it again.

There was a funny moment when Chris said that he has money, so he doesn’t even know why he did the show. Upon hearing that, guest host Joan Rivers moved over and cuddled up to him and then put her legs in his lap.

The show closed with a children’s fashion show, which featured clothing from the line created by Cameron and Vanessa Mathison.

Technorati Tags: The View, Anne Hathaway, Mission:Man Band

451 Press, the network that Watching the View is a part of, is having a comment contest for the month of August, where you can win cash. The official details are below:

If I had $300 dollars I would buy________.

What would you buy with $300? Or even $200 or $100? Now is your chance to find out! Comment on any 451 Press site during the month of August and you could win! Three comments will be chosen at random to win a cash prize of $300, $200 or $100. The more you comment the more chances you have to win. So start reading and let those fingers fly.

451press, comment content contest

Whoopi Goldberg, the new View moderator, has her likeness in wax at the Madame Tussaud’s wax museum in London. Whoopi is featured near her Comic Relief colleague Robin Williams. I think she looks very pretty as a wax figure. What do you all think of the likeness?

Whoopi Goldberg, The View, wax figure, Madame Tussaud, Robin Williams

According to their website, The View is on hiatus for the rest of the month of August. However, today’s episode, although previously recorded, was new and never previously aired. Additionally, it looks like Thursday’s episode will also be a new one. It will feature Joan Rivers as guest host and guests Anne Hathaway, Chris Kirkpatrick, and Cameron Mathison.

On today’s episode, Susie Essman of Curb Your Enthusiasm was on as guest host. She is good friends with Joy Behar. She has four step children. She joked that she bought their love through gifts, including items she received in various gift bags at events.

Elisabeth Hasselbeck showed off some new Jesus and Mary talking dolls by a company called “Want to Believe.” There are also David and Goliath dolls. They are available at Wal-Mart. Elisabeth thinks the dolls are cute and wants to get them for her daughter, Grace. Joy joked that if one of them breaks their leg, will the Jesus doll fix it? Susie Essman asked Elisabeth if she would let Grace bathe with the Jesus doll. Joy said that Jerry Falwell is going to be upset by the segment. Susie reminded her that he is dead.

Elisabeth said that dolls are great to give your kids to share the Bible stories with them. She said that you should keep the Mary and Jesus dolls separate. Joy seemed shocked that she would make jokes like that about Jesus and his mother. Elisabeth said that “kids don’t know” and it is a man and a woman. (For a second when Elisabeth first said that, I thought the doll was Joseph. Her comment would have made sense then. Maybe she thought that momentarily too?). Joy picked up Goliath and threw him over her head. Elisabeth grabbed the Jesus doll protectively. Joy said that no one cares about Goliath and she won’t throw Jesus because we like him.

Continuing the religion theme, Barbara Walters mentioned that the Pope has said that you can believe in creationism and evolution at the same time. Elisabeth said that she believes that the seven days of creation are not how we see seven days. She believes that God is behind everything and believes in evolution inspired by God. Barbara said that she was glad that they were talking about religion and not the Iraq war.

Marc Anthony appeared on the show to promote his new film El Cantante. He stars in the film with his wife wife Jennifer Lopez. There was a big group of people in the audience who came from Florida to see Marc on the show. One woman had Marc Anthony sign his back before and had it turned into a tattoo.

Barbara said that the dancing in the film is great. Marc said that the film, which is about Hector Lavoe and his wife Puchi is a celebration of their culture and salsa music. A lot of actor friends told him that it would be difficult to work with his spouse and he worried about what he got himself into. He said that it was great for them to work together, because it made them appreciate how less chaotic and crazy their life is than Hector and Puchi’s life was.

Jennifer Lopez also produced the film and she approached Marc about it five years ago before they were married. Susie asked him if he had to marry her to get the part, and he joked, “Oh, definitely! It was a long time coming.” Joking aside, he said that Puchi contacted Jennifer and told her that she wanted her to play her in the film. Puchi died shortly after that.

Marc had a chance to meet Hector when he was younger. Marc had long hair at the time. He was very excited to meet his idol. Hector motioned for him to sit down next to him and then told him that he was the ugliest woman that he had ever seen. Marc did not realize that Hector was a big practical joker and was mortified that this is the first thing that his longtime idol said to him.

Marc Anthony and Jennifer Lopez will soon be going on tour. It is the first time that they have ever toured together.

The next segment was about beer and how it is becoming “the new wine.” Ray Isle from Food and Wine magazine appeared on the show to talk about beer. Jonathan Faulhaber, a View producer also appeared in the segment to do the tasting, because Barbara and Joy do not like beer (they could have used Rosie for this segment).

The last segment of the show featured Joanne Worley, who is presently starring in the Drowsy Chaperone on Broadway. She came out with a baby doll. She said that it is a Jewish doll and you can tell because it is circumcised. She said that it was the same doll that Joan Rivers used in a previous segment and then she proceeded to throw it over the back of the couch like Joan did.

Joanne used to be on Laugh-In. She said that timing of the show, which was edgy and funny, was perfect and it was the first irreverent show. She started in theater when there were no microphones, which is why she shouts when she talks. She then swung her pearls around her neck in a signature move. Joy then did it too, which was pretty funny. Joanne also demonstated a “spit take.”

The View, Elisabeth Hasselbeck, Joy Behar, Susie Essman, Barbara Walters, Want to Believe, Jesus doll, Jerry Falwell, Marc Anthony, Jennifer Lopez, El Cantante

Caroline Rhea and Melissa Claire Egan were guests hosts for this Special Edition of The View, which previewed “everything that people will be talking about this fall,” including politics, television, movies, and fashion. Elisabeth Hasselbeck was off today because she started her vacation early. According to the ABC website, The View will be on hiatus for the rest of August.

Barbara Walters got irritated when Caroline did not want to talk about what was on the card and wanted to ask Melissa about practicing kissing scenes on All My Children.

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Comedian Chelsea Handler appeared as guest host on The View today. She has a show on E! called Chelsea Lately. She also wrote a book called My Horizontal Life: A collection of one night stands. Barbara Walters called her a slut (although she spelled it, rather than saying it). I thought Chelsea was really funny (as usual), but, like so many other guest hosts, Barbara did not really “get” her.

They talked about the horrible bridge collapse in Minnesota. Chelsea, in a rare serious moment, said that there a lot of bridges that are not structurally sound and something needs to be done about. Joy kind of blew her off saying that was a topic for another day. Joy, Elisabeth and Barbara talked about what a horrible tragedy it was and how scary it is, given that we all cross bridges.

Then on to Nicole Richie!! She is still pregnant. She drove under the influence of marijuana and Vicodin, but did not think that would affect her driving. Chelsea joked that those are the words of someone whose next logical step is motherhood. She added that Nicole is not that smart because she said that she wanted five kids: three girls and twin boys. Barbara, rather than seeing the humor in the comment, seriously said something about people watching her and wanting to hear what she has to say. (Is Barbara even listening anymore or is she already on vacation?)

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Going by the rumors over the past few days, it was believed that today was also supposed to be the announcement and introduction of Sherri Shepherd as the fifth host on The View. Whoopi Goldberg was announced this morning to fill the moderator role, but the chair left open by Star Jones is still vacant.

According to In Touch magazine, the negotiations between ABC and Sherri Shepherd have stalled the last few days. According to “an insider” she reportedly wants more money than they are willing to give her.

It’s speculated that Sherri demanded at least $2 million — which insiders say is what Whoopi will receive for her first year on the air.

Although the negotiations with Sherri aren’t necessarily over, In Touch has learned that The View has also resumed its conversation with former CNN news anchor and syndicated radio host Jacque Reid, who has guest-hosted more than six times.

What I find interesting about this is that Sherri and Jacque are pretty much polar opposites in terms of personality, so it is interesting that Jacque is next on their list after Sherri.

Whoopi Goldberg, The View, Sherri Shepherd, Jacque Reid

It’s official. Today on The View, Barbara Walters announced that Whoopi Goldberg has been hired to fill the moderator role on The View. Whoopi will fill the seat left open after Rosie O’Donnell left the show. She will start her new job on September 4th.

The View, Whoopi Goldberg, Barbara Walters