Watching the View Podcast 4-19-08
by Winnie McCarthy
I have decided to get back into recording podcasts. I did several last year around this time and really enjoyed them. Let me know if you like the idea and whether I should keep them up. You can e-mail me here. (The sound quality is not the best, but I will try to improve).
If you missed all the previous episodes from 2007, you can listen to them here or download them at iTunes (link will open iTunes).
Today’s episode:
*A note about a change in commenting procedures.
*My assessment of Whoopi Goldberg and Sherri Shepherd and their time on The View.
*Speculation on the future of The View.
watching the view, The View, podcast, Sherri Shepherd, Whoopi Goldberg, Elisabeth Hasselbeck, Joy Behar, Barbara Walters
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April 19th, 2008 at 8:05 am
The solution won’t work. Someone can post a nice, kind note and the comment will be approved. After that unwanted commentors can go back to old habits.
Good luck with the problem, Winnie. I know you are trying your best.
April 19th, 2008 at 8:33 am
Lopez: I always have the option to un-approve all of someone’s comments, forcing them back into moderation.
April 19th, 2008 at 10:36 am
Good podcast, Winnie!
Sherri’s enthusiasm and excitement is what I enjoy seeing on the show. I think she has improved greatly. She provides a lot of comic relief, too. Though Whoopi complains, I actually love Sherri’s “Uncle” voice. It’s funny to me. I prefer that over Whoopi’s stupid “Valley Girl” voice inflection.
Speaking of Whoopi, I think she can be such a downer. During the interview portions, sometimes the camera catches her with such a boring look on her face. Winnie, a light bulb went over my head when you said (and I’m paraphrasing here) “Whoopi is an actress, can’t she at least fake enthusiasm?”
Sorry, she is there, what?, 1 hour on the air. It can’t be that hard. Plus surely she took the job knowing what it entailed. It can’t be a surprise that they have to talk to guests, schmooze, etc.
And I really really detest Whoopi’s segues. You’d think after all this time, she’d have improved. Seriously, she should stop trying to be witty. Just say “we’ll be back after the break”.
Do they really get along? I think the producers (Barb and Bill) have lots and lots of meetings with the hosts to make sure they project an image of unity. But I don’t think they all really do. It’s like working at an office where there is one or two office busy bodies. You smile and sort of go along to get along. And you do so because you have to work with that person day in and day out. It’s easier to just pretend. That’s how I see this group.
Rosie alludes to the fact that they “get talked to” if a dispute happens on the show.
I see Sherri as long term. Whoopi, eh, not so long. Joy will stay as long as the show is on air. I agree that EH has a large fan base, but I also think she may venture out. Maybe in another year or so…
Thanks Winnie!
April 19th, 2008 at 11:12 am
Winnie, I really liked the podcast and would definitely like more. I had a problem with the sound quality (maybe, it’s my computer); the loudest setting on my volume was barely loud enough, so I listened with headphones. Is there a volume setting hidden on the Popup player? I didn’t see it.
April 19th, 2008 at 12:20 pm
Thanks Winnie,
I as well really enjoyed the podcast. It seemed to take forever with my slow speed, but that’s okay.
I would definitely love to hear more of your thoughts and opinions.
I love Sherri, and I agree she is doing so much better as time goes on. To me she is very genuine and I love that about her. As well as her humor. (and her Uncle voice too).
Whoopi I do feel seems so uninterested at times. However lately I feel she has perked up some. As well I think she has “tried” to improve on her segues. They don’t bother me, but I agree with Stacee, it might be better if she just said, we’ll be back after a break. I do feel Whoopi is a mature person who has seen and been through a lot in life, and is insightful. I find I can agree with many things she says.
Joy, the View wouldn’t be the View without Joy. I love her humor as well.
Elisabeth, I like her as well. I find I agree with her some times too. However I often wish she would state things in a different manner. I understand when someone on the blog says that it’s not Elisabeth’s political views that they mind, it’s her manner of expressing it.
Do they all get along? I tend to feel that they have disagreements on and off the stage, but I think all in all, that they do get along well, and are friendly off stage. I think they know one another better, than we know them.
Will the show continue, and how much longer. I have my doubts about that.
The comment policy. I know that you do everything you can to help keep your blog a friendly and unbiased atmosphere. I marvel at your patience.
April 19th, 2008 at 3:31 pm
I will definitely work on the sound for next time. I think I need a new microphone. Thanks for the feedback.
April 19th, 2008 at 3:39 pm
Thanks Winnie, I enjoyed the podcast
I totally agree with Stacee about Whoopi, her segues and lack of enthusiasm is really awful, it hurts the show, IMO. If she only signed a one year contract I really hope she doesnt come back next year, I dont really see why she would even want to, to be honest.
I like Sherri for her comic relief and the way she’s able to make certain things funny that nobody else would be able to. She’s done a good job of gaining more knowledge on certain topics and without Whoopi there, I think she would be able to speak her mind even more.
I also think EH isnt going anywhere anytime, especially since BG is the EP. I remember a few months ago when Barbara said she doesnt do anything without his permission, I think that says it all. As long as the show is on, she will be on and as much as I disagree with her views, I dont really have a problem with that. But I also have to say that people searching about her hair or clothes arent necessarily her ‘fans’ so I’m not sure how big her fanbase actually is.
If the show wants to improve for next year, they should hire a moderater that will actually be good at their job and not just a ‘big name’.
April 19th, 2008 at 4:31 pm
Elisabeth I can’t stand, but she hasn’t done anything that she should be fired.
April 19th, 2008 at 5:04 pm
Winnie, I live in Australia and up until recently could watch The View on cable. I recently moved around the corner and no longer have cable and am unable to watch it anymore so your blog is the only way I can keep up. I tried to listen to the podcast and had it at full volume but I could hardly hear it. I think it is a fantastic idea if you can get the volume up higher.
April 19th, 2008 at 5:08 pm
Thanks Winnie-The podcast was great. I hope you continue doing them.
I believe the show will stay around for a few more years as well as all the current hosts. I only hope I see less of Barbara Walters. Maybe she will be off somewhere promoting her tell all book. Ha-Ha.
Joy is my favorite! If she left, I could no longer watch. Sherri is great also. I like the interactions between Joy and Sherri. You can tell they like one another and their chemistry is great. I feel that at times Whoopi is repremanding Sheri for things she may say or she lets it be known how much she dislikes Sheri’s reaction to something. That bugs me. Sheri is not a child.
Having said all that, I don’t want Whoopi to leave. She brings alot to hot topics. I agree with alot of her views.
April 19th, 2008 at 6:34 pm
So nice 2 hear the voice behing this wonderful blog!
I hope it is LOUDER next time.
I am surprised also @ the comments on the’Eh @conde nast party’ post. I think eh & tim r fair game but calling Grace & taylor ugly is mean.
I agree that Wh is a very big downer. I agree that SS is so happt 2 be on tv consistently . Joy is my fav. Eh still needs 2 get facts 2 support her claims. I dont like her bc she doesnt realise how charmed her life has been but I dont think she should be fired bc she has the right 2 voice her opinon (no matter how wrong). BW needs 2 make ehr do research!
If TV returns they need to make BW stay away.Im sick of her stories on
-all the ppl she has interviews,
-on chacha,
-on how she tricks her friends into thinking she has eaten alot when she hasnt.
Ro was rigth about TV.
April 20th, 2008 at 7:09 am
Thanks Winnie for the podcast, it’s nice to put a voice with the font! It can sometimes be difficult to convey in words exactly what is intended but easier when heard. Though having said that, your recap of the show is THE BOMB!
I don’t think EH should leave the show. EH is the person we love to hate and if you take that element away then the show is dull and boring. All the members add something different to the mix and I think the diversity of these women is, for the most part, a fair representation of the women who watch.
April 20th, 2008 at 10:35 pm
Winnie, really liked the podcast! Over the years, I’ve enjoyed watching Whoopi perform as an actress and comedian and I think she brings a broad voice to the show with her varied life experiences and perspectives. However, I feel she still lacks the two things that made Rosie (as the show’s moderator) so popular with viewers: Enthusiasm, Compassion
April 21st, 2008 at 9:37 am
Winnie, enjoyed the podcast and hearing your voice! I know I’m in the minority here but I mainly watch the show for Barbara and Elisabeth. I respect Barbara for
all that she’s accomplished as a female broadcast journalist and for the creation of The View. She has done more in the past 30 years as a journalist than most people could do in 30 lifetimes! I think she should work for as long as she wants. She really looks fabulous for 78! I admire Elisabeth. She sticks to her beliefs even though they may be a little unpopular at times. I just get the feeling she’s a good person, a great mother and wife. Overall, I’m quite happy with the show. Hopefully, my two favorites will remain for a long time.
April 21st, 2008 at 9:58 am
“I’ve enjoyed watching Whoopi perform as an actress and comedian and I think she brings a broad voice to the show with her varied life experiences and perspectives. However, I feel she still lacks the two things that made Rosie (as the show’s moderator) so popular with viewers: Enthusiasm, Compassion.”
I totally agree.