The View May 2nd Recap: Gwyneth Paltrow and Ward Connerly
Today on a prerecorded, but new, episode of The View, all five ladies were at the table. Joy Behar talked about how she hung out with Bill Clinton the other night at the Rachael Ray charity event. She said that he is more mellow now, but still has the charisma. She added that he has aged rapidly, which Whoopi Goldberg blamed on his heart problems. Sherri Shepherd asked Joy if he made her feel feminine and she said yes. Joy said that Barack Obama has that charisma, more than the other two candidates do. Elisabeth said that she is not looking for a commander of charisma, but a commander in chief.
Elisabeth’s grandmother had to go to the hospital and Elisabeth’s mom learned that the hospital had been giving her someone else’s medication for a day and had not given her any of her required medication, including insulin which she has taken for 40 years. Her grandmother is okay and out of the hospital. (I think the way that Whoopi led into this anecdote that this was the “thing that happened” that Elisabeth didn’t want to talk about on Monday).
Barbara Walters is also in Vanity Fair magazine this month, so they showed some old photos from the article, from the 1970s, including one with Alan Greenspan. The article references the part of the book about how poorly Harry Reasoner treated her during her time doing ABC Evening News. Barbara said that she would cry in her dressing room. During that time, she got a telegram from John Wayne that said, “Don’t let the bastards keep you down.” Joy said that it is surprising that John Wayne was a feminist and understood the plight of women on television. Barbara said that she can relate to both Katie Couric and Hillary Clinton because of what she went through.
A female Virginia polygamist said that if we were living by God’s law, there would be no female judges or other positions of power. Barbara said that many women have to work today. Then Whoopi said it was a man, not a woman that said it. I am so confused. Elisabeth reads A is for Abagail to Grace because it about the great things that women have done for the country. The book is by Lynne Cheney. Sherri said that she feels guilty because she doesn’t cook and clean for Jeffrey the way that her mom did.
Elisabeth said that you can do things for work late at night thanks to the Blackberry and the internet. Sherri said that causes her to sleep less and Elisabeth said “Who needs sleep anymore.” Joy said that the Blackberry makes your work done unending. Whoopi doesn’t have a cell phone and takes her bus everywhere instead of flying, even onto boats.
Gwyneth Paltrow appeared on the show to promote the new film Iron Man. Gwyneth said that Whoopi really looked after her when they made the film Moonlight and Valentino. Gwyneth’s children are four and two. She feels guilt everyday, all day, for being away from them. She said it is very difficult, even though she was able to take three years off to be with them. Gwyneth said that her mother, Blythe Danner, turned a lot of roles down and would do plays in the summer so they could all be together. Gwyneth and her family were able to stay in her childhood home while filming this movie.
She wanted to do this film because it was not a big part and it allowed her to work with people who inspired her. She does not feel the pull to have a big part. She loved working with Robert Downey, Jr. She said it was amazing to go to the comic book convention to promote the film, which is based on a comic book character. She was impressed by the fans and their passion for comic books.
After giving birth to her son Moses, Gwyneth went through a period of post-partum depression. When she was going through it, she didn’t know what was wrong with her and couldn’t figure out how to get through it. When she started to come out of it, she then realized what she had gone through. It was a hard time for her, but allowed her to sharpen up and reconnect to her spirituality. She said that we live in a toxic world (she had more to say there, but kind of got cut off). The depression lasted acutely for three months and she felt very out of her body and couldn’t muster enthusiasm. She said that not sleeping does not help depression. She loves being a mother more than anything in the world, but she loathes being pregnant because she throws up all the time. Joy said, “Can you say surrogate?” Gwyneth asked her if she was making her an offer. Joy said, “the shop is closed.” Gwyneth said that she would probably go through it all again for another child, though.
Gwyneth believes in investing what is real, like your partner, your children, and your animals. If you want to cook your partner a meal, it doesn’t have to be complicated, for example.
She would love to, in the next couple of years, be on the stage. Her family half lives in London and half in New York. The paparazzi in London does not stalk them as much. Gwyneth does not worry about getting too old, in part because her mom won two Emmys after her children were grown. She is open to whatever path her career takes her.
Ward Connerly, an African American, appeared on the show to talk about his goal of ending Affirmative Action. He said that it has done more harm than good. He has already helped ban it in three states. Whoopi said that it has helped her and so many others. Ward said that there was a time when it made a lot of sense, but we have to adapt to the new circumstances. We are at a period of our history where we are on the precipice of changing how we look at race. He supports the notion of Obama’s candidacy, but is not endorsing him.
He is not promoting going back to the old way and supports socio-economic affirmative action. Sherri pointed out that even with affirmative action, women contractors only get 3% of the contracts, so what will happen without it? He said that they should get contracts if they put in the low bids. Elisabeth said it should happen but that might not happen in reality. Connerly said that the government should not treat people differently. He said that we still live with the legacy that Black people are inferior and affirmative action continues that ideal.
Joy pointed out that Clarence Thomas is against affirmative action, even though he benefited from it. Connerly said that we should be focusing on young people graduating high school and having productive lives, not just going to college. Sherri said that Connerly was appointed a regent based on his race. Connerly said that he didn’t ask for it, though.
Whoopi said that by removing affirmative action, the communities won’t be able to move forward. Connerly thinks Affirmative Action is seen as a crutch because people see African-Americans in successful positions and think that they only got there by Affirmative Action. Whoopi said that is not enough of a reason to end the program. Sherri said that it opens the door, but you still have to have the qualifications.
The View, Whoopi Goldberg, Sherri Shepherd, Joy Behar, Elisabeth Hasselbeck, Barbara Walters, Gwyneth Paltrow, Robert Downey, Jr., Harry Reasoner
May 2nd, 2008 at 10:59 am
“Joy said that it is surprising that John Wayne was a feminist and understood the plight of women on television. ”
I’m going to dig around about this. I’m not concluding that John Wayne was a feminist based on his sympathy toward BW about the Harry Reasoner treatment. Surely there could be more to the story as to why Wayne reached out to her. And no, I’m not implying an affair. Maybe just friendship. Maybe just outrage at how Reasoner treated her. I also don’t recall Wayne being so kind and open about the feminist movement back then. This is really intriguing.
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“Elisabeth said that she is not looking for a commander of charisma, but a commander in chief.”
I took this as EH taking another dig at Clinton, and in a way at Obama: implying they are all charisma and no substance. After her beloved Bush took office & his verbal atrocities became obvious on a daily basis, the right wing pundits scrambled to make excuses and one of the big ones was that it was merely that Bush wasn’t good at “words” but at least “spoke from the heart”. They said Clinton’s eloquence had been “merely fancy words” and had no substance; they ignored Clinton’s mastery of history, the geopolitical scene, and policies. Details, details.
I loved how Whoopi got EH right back & asked her something like how have you liked Bush. Did anyone catch that? Was she referring to how Bush supporters made such a big deal about how “likable” he was and how important “likability” in a president is?
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” Connerly thinks Affirmative Action is seen as a crutch because people see African-Americans in successful positions and think that they only got there by Affirmative Action. ”
EH had to prompt him about this talking point, by using the word “crutch”; she may be “tired” all the time, but she seems to find time to memorize the handful of one liners like this one from Fox every night.
I was laughing at BW interrupting Joy during the bit about Clarence Thomas to tell Joy that Thomas is against affirm. action, as if Joy didn’t know that. Duh. That was Joy’s whole point.
I’m sorry to hear about EH’s grandmother. A horrible tale and I’m glad she talked about it so that others can be aware of it. I’ve had doctors mix up my and my husban’d records more than once, but nothing like that.
I still don’t like Eh and want her to leave the show. Can someone hold both sentiments at the same time about a person? I think so.
Have a great weekend, everyone.
May 2nd, 2008 at 11:35 am
Maryellen, good post..I agree with it whole heartedly! People don’t give B.Clinton credit for the good he did in office, especially getting the budget deficit under control and even a surplus! bush took that surplus and turned it into a megamess!! Gwynth is a class act..EH and her typical “gotcha” words such as today’s “commander of charisma” and “crutch” sound very much like someone is whispering in her ear..Bill G? O’Reilly? Hannity? her hubby? Isn’t it about time for them to return to Ariz for the feetball season?
May 2nd, 2008 at 7:17 pm
FROM RECAP: Elisabeth said that she is not looking for a commander of charisma, but a commander in chief.
RESPONSE: I got to thinking, MAYBE, just maybe,if we brainstorm responses to various idiocies, someone who could use the ideas will pick them up. If not, maybe it will be carthartic.
1. So are you suggesting the rest of us are focused on a Commander of Charisma? and don’t care about how the President functions as a Commander-in-Chief?
(projected answer: Defend your own insinuations.)
2. That’s a curious response. I was talking personal characteristics and you’re talking politics. I don’t understand your point - could you elaborate?
(projected answer: I’ll have to do some research.)
3. Do you think that charisma and charm are irrelevant to the skills required to be President, work with foreign leaders, negotiate with the Senate, etc.
4. Are you acknowledging that McCain doesn’t have any charm or charisma?
5. Does it ever occur to you that what you say is insulting to us? Do you intend to be insulting? Do you care if you are insulting?
Well, that’s enough
May 2nd, 2008 at 11:41 pm
LaJet:
Great responses! I nominate you for the daytime Emmy of come-backs for EH’s inanity!
May 3rd, 2008 at 3:58 am
Well, old numb nuts EH prattled on again inanely.
Clinton’s charisma was world renowned. World leaders liked him and he brought them together. (eg Northern Ireland, Mideast and Asia) His undergraduate degree is Foreign Service and his Rhodes scholar studies were world governments and he has a law degree to boot. That packs a lot more than just ‘charisma’.
Bush is the least traveled president ever and is hated by world leaders for attacking and invading smaller countries. He has squandered the good will of our allies. I live in Europe in the winter and he is viewed as doing this for oil and to avenge his father. A Texas Yahoo out of control.
EH could use a little charisma. She sure isn’t very likable.
May 3rd, 2008 at 9:53 am
“EH could use a little charisma. She sure isn’t very likable.”
I also find her to be one of the most unlikeable people on TV. I heard she behaved a lot differently on Survivor.
May 3rd, 2008 at 10:39 am
Lajet…wonderful post! “Are you suggesting that the rest of us are focusing on a commander of charisma?” and “are you suggesting that McCain doesn’t have any charm/charisma?” hit the nail on the head! Why don’t some of the hosts come up with one liners like that? Whoopi did get her goat when she asked her something about bush’s abilities and EH responded “here’s the key to the door I just opened for you”.
May 3rd, 2008 at 11:36 am
PRIOR POST:
Why don’t some of the hosts come up with one liners like that?
RESPONSE: My first response was that it took me several days to come up wtih this, and I’m not sure that I’d be able to do it if I sat at the Table (although I think I’d love to try. I’ll take Star’s place LOL - the non-comedian, non-entertaininer, non-reality show contestant, not-easily-pigeonholed politically seat)
But then, frankly, what I did above is not uncommon to other situations, and could be taught in a few hours (along with some other techniques), and practiced at home or at the office — if TPTB cared about having an interesting and enlightening discussion (and it wouldn’t apply simply to EH when she says idiotic stuff) rather than dueling sound bites.
Thanks Meredith & May for your kind thoughts.
I hope others add to the ideas. I think it would be fun brainstorming.
May 4th, 2008 at 10:07 am
Hey Lajet, it doesn’t hurt to try! I loved your suggestions. Your “projected answers” made me laugh. You’re right on the money.