Project Blog: Three Ways Rosie O’Donnell changed The View
This is week two of Project Blog. Thanks to all of your votes last week, I won the reader vote and stayed in the competition! Be sure to go here to vote for me this week!
Here is this week’s assignment:
On Project Runway, contestants were asked to create an outfit with a partner for fashion icon Sarah Jessica Parker’s newest line, Bitten. This week, blogtestants, you have to write with a partner too - yourself.
That’s right, I want to see your leadership skills, but to make it fair, YOU are the one you’ll be leading.
Pick a post from the past - any post will do - and use that as your inspiration for a new post. You can give us an update on a past news story, revisit a topic, or give further opinion on a factual post. Or hey, do something else - it’s all up to you! Just remember, the goal is to use your past post as inspiration, and you MUST include a link to the past story in your new post. (It can be a post from yesterday or a post from a year ago…timing is not important, any post you choose is fine!)
Rosie O’Donnell’s departure from The View made big headlines, both on this blog and elsewhere. So how did Rosie’s time at The View change the show? Here are what I consider to be the top three ways that The View has been altered in the wake of Rosie’s time on The View and her departure.
1) The IFB rules: An IFB is the device that some news anchors and other on-air personalities wear during a live broadcast to get direction from the producers. Rosie made no secret of the fact that she detests the devices because they prevent the normal flow of conversation and stunt spontaneity. She did not wear one during her time on The View and said in her book, Celebrity Detox, that she eventually convinced both Joy Behar and Elisabeth Hasselbeck to take theirs out as well. I don’t know if they have gone back to wearing them since her departure.
Unfortunately, Barbara Walters continued to wear hers and Whoopi Goldberg has made no secret of the fact that she wears one. Whoopi has mentioned “the voice in her ear” and even paused during conversation to listen to her ear piece. Although unconfirmed, I think that Sherri Shepherd wears one too, because she has suddenly “remembered” facts during a conversation and it is likely that someone fed the facts to her through her IFB.
After the final Rosie/Elisabeth fight, I believe that any future hosts, or at the very least the moderators, will be contractually obligated to wear an IFB. Although Rosie disagrees, the producers feel that if Rosie wore an IFB, that final fight would not have gone down the way it did.
I have to side with Rosie on the issue because I feel that the devices are completely unnecessary for this type of show and ruin debates through interruptions by the producers. Imagine producer Bill Geddie sitting in front row of the show and shouting to Whoopi “Move on!” or telling Sherri “Mention Dancing with the Stars!” Of course that would never happen, because it would be ridiculous. However, the same thing is happening in the hosts’ ears, but we just can’t hear it.
2) The “hot” topics are watered down: When Rosie came on the show, she had a lot of serious issues that she wanted to talk about. Although segments on fashion and hairstyles were still present, she also pressed for the hour long segment on autism and wove the war in Iraq and other important national and world issues into the “hot topics” segment whenever she could.
The other hosts seemed to embrace the discussions about serious topics and the debates often were passionate representations of the hosts’ views. It made for interesting television and I believe it was a big contributor to the show’s rise in ratings. People did not just want to watch fights. They wanted to watch women making compelling arguments about their beliefs and trying to educate each other on their point of view.
Since Rosie left, Barbara Walters has made it very clear that The View is no longer a place for discussions of serious issues. A couple of weeks ago, when Joy tried to mention the situation in Pakistan, Barbara said that they should only talk about “light topics.” I think that the producers are afraid that if they tackle serious topics the show will have the same reaction from the public that it did when Rosie was there.
If Barbara polled the viewing public, however, she would learn that the viewers crave discussions of serious issues and want them to return to the “hot topics” segment. Not every topic needs to be serious, but to stay relevant the show cannot ignore what is going on in the world. Joy has expressed frustration that the topics have gone to the soft side, often preferring to talk politics or the election than Dancing with the Stars.
In the span of a year, the show has gone from a hotbed of discussion of relevant world and national issues to a daily discussion about polls, sex, and celebrities. I am sure that there are people who would like to hear about those issues, but that is not what makes The View popular and it is certainly not what makes The View good television.
3) It’s still talked about: Despite the fact that the show has become a “light” version of itself since Rosie’s departure, the show is still culturally relevant, evidenced by the fact that television shows and blogs still cover the show. The View was discussed elsewhere prior to Rosie being on the show, but when she came on the show, the media storm exploded. Since she left, although there is not an Entertainment Tonight segment each night about the show (which is probably a good thing), people are still paying attention to see what is going to happen.
When important guests are going to be on The View it still makes news and occasionally shows will air clips of the hosts from the hot topic segments. Whether this is done out of habit, because they lack other material, or because they believe that what happens on The View is important, the fact that the show is still so widely discussed can be attributed to Rosie’s impact on the show. People started watching the show this season to see what things would be like without Rosie being there and I think many people are still watching to see if The View gets back to a place where it is not just talked about, but is talked about positively.
******************
Don’t forget to go HERE to vote for me!
This is the grand prize pack I am playing for:
To read more about this week’s prize sponsor and how you can win, check out my earlier post here.
Here are the posts from the other contestants:
Randi, Brad Pitt Watch: “A Blast from the Past for Project Blog”
Kate, Babylune: “Has Sex Really Left the City?”
Sally: “Because I Slacked on My Promise: A Total ANTM Recall”
Jodie: Project blog week two challenge
Kara: Weather Update: We’ve Got Clouds
Cynthia: Supernatural Origins, Take Two
Mark: We’re Still Not Friends
The View, Rosie O’Donnell, Elisabeth Hasselbeck, Barbara Walters, Bill Geddie, Whoopi Goldberg, Sherri Shepherd, Joy Behar, Pakistan, Project Blog, Project Runway, Food History
November 22nd, 2007 at 7:07 pm
[...] Babylune: “Has Sex Really Left the City?” Winnie, Watching the View: “Three Ways Rosie O’Donnell Changed The View” Jodie (not yet posted) Sally (not yet posted) Kara (not yet posted) Mark (not yet posted) Cynthia [...]
November 22nd, 2007 at 7:10 pm
When The View first came on tv, I started watching - and then quickly stopped. When I heard that Rosie would be on it, I started watching, and would tape the show merely to see the Hot Topics section! I haven’t watched it since she left.
I hate that they will only talk about “light topics” - it’s entirely possible to talk one minute about raising children and the next about how we feel about the war or the presidental debates - we’re women, we’re GREAT and multi-tasking!
November 22nd, 2007 at 7:47 pm
Winnie I love your post. I think it is VERY good. I also agree with all of your thoughts and observations.
I have watched “the View” since it started 11 years ago, at least when I could. (at times I worked away from home).
I always liked it. When Rosie came on and became the moderator, I enjoyed it even more. She brought so much life to the show.
I believe she added in a positive way to the show, even though she was controversial at times.
Whether one agreed with her or not, the show was definitely more interesting while Rosie was on, and brought more viewers.
I too “very much” believe that the viewers would love to hear the hosts’ views, opinions and discussions about important and controversial issues of today and what is going on in the news, and politically.
We are facing one of the most important elections of our country. IMO. Women indeed have a desire to hear, learn about, and discuss these issues.
November 22nd, 2007 at 8:43 pm
[...] 2. Kate, Babylune: “Has Sex Really Left the City?” 3. Winnie, Watching The View: “Project Blog: Three Ways Rosie O’Donnell Changed The View” 4. Jodie (not yet posted) 5. Sally (not yet posted) 6. Kara (not yet posted) 7. Mark (not yet [...]
November 22nd, 2007 at 8:57 pm
That photo is priceless!
November 22nd, 2007 at 8:58 pm
This is a fine piece of writing, Winnie, and your arguments are made so persuasively. My hat is off to you as well for dedicating a blog-contest entry to Rosie’s contributions to The View. She deserves it.
From the get-go I have felt this same way about the importance of them talking about serious issues, and doing so frequently, on the show. I don’t care if the topics are or are not “controversial”; and I am not interested in watching them “go at it” in a Crossfire template. I just want them to bring up the topics and give as much attention to them as they give to the latest developments in the Britney/Lindsay/Paris or Dancing With the Stars sagas.
Wearing those blasted earpieces during a live discussion with several people has always defied logic to me, as well.
Ever since Rosie left I keep thinking of the opening scene in Gone With the Wind, where Scarlett O’Hara is whining, “War! War! War! That’s all people ever want to talk about! I’m so tired of hearing about this silly old war.” I sometimes think Saturday Night Live should do a skit re-creating this scene, with The View’s panelists, and Bill Geddie, all dressed in antebellum costumes, singing this refrain. Because that’s the message we viewers are getting from them when we see them skim lightly over or completely avoid the topic of this never-ending war.
November 22nd, 2007 at 11:24 pm
I agree with your points Winnie. I too thought it was a little strange a few weeks ago, when Sherri blurted out something about “Dancing With the Stars.” I think Viva described it as having “whiplash.” At the time I thought it was more than likely that the person in her ear made her bring that subject up.
Rosie grew up when coverage of the Vietnam war was on tv during dinner time, and she felt since she had a forum to reach so many people, that it was her duty to discuss the Iraq war. She was the lone voice on day time tv talking about one of the most important issues facing our country.
Women weren’t just tuning in to hear the latest fluff news, they were tuning in to hear What Rosie and the other ladies had to say about politics and other topics that were only discussed by men.
I feel now they skim over things so as to not upset this group or that group. For so long people like myself didn’t have a voice telling others that this is wrong …or wait a minute. It was all so one -sided, until Rosie came along. Now her voice has been silenced…at least on network tv.
I know some say, well we need a conservative to balance things out… I say no! Where’s the balance on my radio? I feel like the right wing has a major news network and the majority of the radio stations.. so I don’t care to hear that point of view. For the last six years that’s the only point of view that has been accepted in this country. Now Keith Olbermann’s ratings are going up, maybe the networks will wise up and try to get more progressive voices on tv and on the radio.
November 22nd, 2007 at 11:49 pm
“Wearing those blasted earpieces during a live discussion with several people has always defied logic to me, as well.”
I totally agree!
November 23rd, 2007 at 1:31 am
I remember when Barbara Walters used to be a real journalist and used celebrity interviews to hook people into the discussion of serious issues. Rosie, with her passions and talents, seemed to be following the same direction and she has always had my respect. After reading about both women in context of your post, there is no question in my mind who the more socially responsible, entertaining woman is. Rosie wins the integrity vote.
November 23rd, 2007 at 9:05 am
Great analysis Winnie.
It was well documented that The View’s ratings were not impressive when BW asked Rosie to become the moderator. Rosie was a known winner for TROS. BW made money as the ratings rose, what she (and Bill G) didn’t count on was lack of control she (they) would have once Rosie became the moderator. It also didn’t translate into an Emmy, something Rosie won frequently with her own show.
The Rosie year revealed that the MSM is not left, as it took a “right” swing at her nightly. We also saw a two-faced BW calling Rosie a pig in the mud to DT, BW calling Rosie’s MIL a bigot on tv and last but not least, BW getting shunned by the White House and EH invited instead! Yes, the Rosie year was a very revealing and also disappointing view of a supposed legend known as Barbara Walters.
Despite all the water under the bridge Rosie’s legacy lives on at The View. Now guests of the show get a gift everyday at The View and they can thank Rosie for the tradition.:)
November 23rd, 2007 at 9:24 am
Dee: I was going to make a number 4 which was “the audience gets giveaways,” but I decided to leave it at three.
November 23rd, 2007 at 10:58 am
[...] Have you checked out my latest post in the Project Blog contest? You can read it here and vote for me [...]
November 23rd, 2007 at 2:31 pm
I watched The View when it first started, taping it while I was at work and watching it every evening. Discussions were wide ranging and always interesting. Until it became the vehicle to advertise Star Jones’s wedding, it was interesting and fun. Lisa Ling and Meredith Vierra always brought an amount of literacy to the serious topics. Rosie brought controversy…but it was still interesitng to watch.
I have seriously tried to watch since then but a couple of weeks ago, I quit watching completely. I read your blog, but the show is unwatchable for me. I feel as if censorship rules and if I want sex and celebrity talk, I can watch any of the tabloid shows.
I have been a BW fan since she was on the Today show and always admired her for providing leadership for women in news tv. I have been very disappointed in her since the debacle btween Rosie and EH. I sincerely think it is time she retired. The control she and Geddes are exerting over the show is disgusting. I am surprised that WG is putting up with it.
November 23rd, 2007 at 3:30 pm
Random Musings,
I also started watching the View when it first started. I stopped watching way before Star Jones became engaged. When Rosie joined, I decided to give it another chance. Throughout the years as the world has changed, so did the show. Unfortunately, instead of covering more important issues, the show went in the other direction.
I never thought of Rosie as being “controversial” I thought that was a label that was placed on her by people who didn’t like her speaking her mind. When you think about it why was it controversial to be anti-war?
The right took Rosie’s words and twisted them into what they wanted them to be. I’m sure some will bring up Rosie talking about steel, but fail to mention she NEVER said that the Bush administration was behind 911. She also never said the words American troops are terrorists.
I think the show lacks sincerity and conviction. I’ll watch if there’s someone on that I’m interested in, but other that that I don’t see myself becoming a regular viewer.
Advertisers would like to play it safe, they’d rather have a boring bland show, with topics that won’t make some feel uneasy.
November 23rd, 2007 at 5:25 pm
Interesting piece, especially about the EAR piece. I never thought about it, but I can see how it would be counter to what the show is supposed to be, women candidly discussing issues of the day just as they would with a group of friends.
November 24th, 2007 at 1:10 am
[...] 2. Kate, Babylune: “Has Sex Really Left the City?” 3. Winnie, Watching The View: “Project Blog: Three Ways Rosie O’Donnell Changed The View” 4. Sally, Style Fix: “Because I Slacked on My Promise: A Total ANTM [...]
November 24th, 2007 at 1:27 am
[...] Blog” 2. Kate, Babylune: “Has Sex Really Left the City?” 3. Winnie, Watching The View: “Project Blog: Three Ways Rosie O’Donnell Changed The View” 4. Sally, Style Fix: “Because I Slacked on My Promise: A Total ANTM Recall” 5. Kara, Colorado [...]
November 24th, 2007 at 10:54 am
Interesting post, Winnie.
I couldn’t wait to get free of my IFB at the first opportunity. Although, at the time we usually referred to them as “our parents.”
I think both Rosie and The View made out okay in the separation.
November 24th, 2007 at 12:51 pm
The management of MSNBC was recently quoted as saying “Bush bashing makes for good ratings”, hence the talks of Rosie possibly having her own show. Maybe BW & BG should take the hint!
November 24th, 2007 at 1:45 pm
I disagree with the management of MSNBC. It’s not about “Bush bashing”, it’s about questioning the actions of this administration, as real journalist are supposed to.
Perhaps that’s why the MSM have become dictation experts for this corrupt administration, they didn’t want to be seen as “Bush bashers.”
The MSM is supposed to be the eyes , ears and voice of the American people, instead they’ve become blind, deaf and mute.
November 24th, 2007 at 1:55 pm
[...] 2. Kate, Babylune: “Has Sex Really Left the City?” 3. Winnie, Watching The View: “Project Blog: Three Ways Rosie O’Donnell Changed The View” 4. Sally, Style Fix: “Because I Slacked on My Promise: A Total ANTM Recall” 5. Kara, [...]
November 25th, 2007 at 3:21 pm
[...] 2. Kate, Babylune: “Has Sex Really Left the City?” 3. Winnie, Watching The View: “Project Blog: Three Ways Rosie O’Donnell Changed The View” 4. Sally, Style Fix: “Because I Slacked on My Promise: A Total ANTM Recall” 5. Kara, [...]
November 26th, 2007 at 1:01 pm
*Prepares to comment but opts to sneak out the side door before anyone can discover that she’s an Elisabeth fan . . . *
December 3rd, 2007 at 3:26 am
“light topics” may be the downfall. Ppl wont take the show seriouslt. It will be seen a nonsense show for housemoms.
& of the show os o ‘light topics’, y have presidential candidates on at all?