Alex Bruno
In a surprising turn of events that would make even a rollercoaster ride seem monotonous, Geraldo Rivera, the new member of ABC’s “The View,” has decided to pack up his opinions and leave – all within a span of one show. The reason? Whoopi Goldberg’s apparent ‘toxicity.’
The news was met with a wide array of reactions, ranging from utter disbelief to muffled laughter, with some even questioning whether Rivera had mistaken the talk show for a chemistry lab, what with his talk of ‘toxicity.’
The saga began with Rivera joining “The View,” an announcement that came hot on the heels of his departure from Fox News. To the casual viewer, it seemed like a promising prospect – a seasoned journalist offering a fresh perspective on a diverse panel. But as the old saying goes, not all that glitters is gold, and not every debut on “The View” lasts more than a day.
Goldberg, the powerhouse panelist known for her outspoken demeanor, seemed to be Rivera’s Achilles heel. Post his abrupt departure, Rivera deemed her as ‘toxic,’ which, coincidentally, is also how some people describe their relationship with morning alarm clocks or diet food.
The show started off innocuously enough, with Rivera settling into his new environment, which bore more resemblance to a lively social club than the stiff news studios he was accustomed to. But then came the discussion, the verbal jousting, and finally, the infamous ‘toxic’ comment from Goldberg.
One could argue that Whoopi’s sharp-witted dialogue was the crux of the problem. But then again, those familiar with “The View” would also know that the show and sugarcoated conversations go together about as well as oil and water, or cats and cucumbers.
Whatever the cause, the consequence was clear – Rivera made a swift exit, leaving his empty chair to echo the sentiments of his short-lived tenure on the show. The entire spectacle was reminiscent of an overly dramatic reality TV show exit – all that was missing was a tearful monologue and a suspenseful soundtrack.
Rivera’s assertion that Goldberg is ‘toxic’ seems a bit over the top. After all, if strong opinions were toxic, most political talk shows would have to be aired with a health warning. However, the word does add a certain melodramatic flair to his hasty exit. Perhaps the problem was not the ‘toxicity,’ but rather, an unexpected allergic reaction to a different perspective.
His departure from “The View” raises more questions than it answers. Will his chair remain empty, or will it soon be filled by another ‘temporary’ co-host? Will Whoopi Goldberg be labeled as ‘hazardous material’? Or will Rivera return to Fox News, citing an unfortunate encounter with ‘toxic’ liberal views?
While the fallout from this entertaining episode continues to be the talk of the town, one thing is for certain: the world of daytime television has been given a much-needed jolt of excitement. In Rivera’s case, though the duration was brief, the drama was plentiful.
So here’s to Geraldo Rivera’s speedy sprint from “The View,” leaving behind nothing but an empty chair, a ‘toxic’ co-host, and a story that will be retold at every commercial break. Who knows, perhaps his next venture will involve hosting a show about dangerous occupations. After all, navigating differing viewpoints on live television does seem perilous.
