Ah, “The View”. The talk show that has given us everything from heated political debates to introspective views on society and culture. And if by ‘everything’ we mean ‘headaches’, then yes, it has truly been a gift. ABC’s head seems to have had one too many Advil moments, as a recent announcement declared, “The View is the worst show on TV,” and that its impending doom via cancellation is on the horizon.
Now, we’ve all had moments where we’ve questioned some of the show’s content or perhaps raised an eyebrow at the spirited discussions between the co-hosts. But for ABC’s head to jump on the bandwagon with such a bold declaration? It’s like watching the captain of the ship point out the holes in the boat while still onboard.
It started as a platform to discuss daily hot topics and share differing opinions. However, it quickly became apparent that ‘opinions’ often translate to ‘heated arguments at a family reunion where Uncle Bob brings up politics’. You know the scene. The turkey gets thrown. Aunt Susie is crying into her mashed potatoes. It’s chaos.
“The View” was unique, though. Instead of the once-a-year Thanksgiving disaster, we got this dose of familial conflict five days a week. Truly, a blessing for those who enjoy their morning coffee with a side of verbal wrestling.
Why would ABC’s head suddenly realize the ‘goldmine’ they were sitting on was actually a minefield? Could it be the numerous times the co-hosts had disagreements that could put WWE fighters to shame? Or was it the constant change in panel members, making the show feel like a revolving door of opinions? We’re no detectives, but we’d say it’s a solid ‘maybe’ to both.
In the most recent press release, ABC’s head stated, “I realized the truth after accidentally tuning into the show one morning. I thought I was watching a parody on SNL. Imagine my surprise when I remembered we actually produced this.” Ouch. It seems that self-awareness has finally hit the executive suite.
But what does this mean for the future of daytime television? Without “The View” as our daily dose of ‘please-make-it-stop’, where will we turn? It’s possible we might have to resort to actual news channels or perhaps pick up a newspaper. The horror.
One might think the co-hosts would be devastated by the news. Surprisingly, a behind-the-scenes source told us they had started a betting pool on when the show would be axed. The winner? None other than Whoopi Goldberg, who apparently has psychic abilities to add to her impressive resume.
The silver lining in all of this is that the show’s cancellation will free up a prime daytime slot. Rumor has it ABC is considering several replacements. Options on the table include a cooking show where chefs debate while cooking (think “Iron Chef” meets a courtroom drama) or perhaps a talk show where animals are the hosts. Anything is possible at this point.
As we bid farewell to “The View”, we must remember the iconic moments it has given us. The lessons in how not to have a civil discussion, the realization that sometimes it’s okay to change the channel, and of course, the appreciation for our own relatively peaceful morning routines.
In all its tumultuous glory, “The View” will be remembered as that distant relative who always overstayed their welcome. A show that many loved, many loved to hate, and all will remember. But as the curtains close, we must look forward to the new age of daytime television, where the only drama we expect is from soap operas.