A couple of months ago we heard that Elisabeth Hasselbeck was leaving The View, she was reportedly pushed out for being “too right wing” and polarizing viewers. She’s been there for 10 years, so it seemed more like they were trying to mix up the panel rather than anyone being surprised by the same crap she’s been spewing daily. At that time, Joy Behar announced that she was vacating as co-host as well, and that she plans to leave her 16 year post when her contract runs out in August.
Then just last month co-host Whoopi Goldberg had some hilariously candid things to say about her job. She made it clear that she phones it in for a paycheck, explaining “I take a paycheck every other week. That’s all I do. I could give a sh-t what comes. I do my job — I have a contract. That’s where I stand. I don’t give a f-ck.” I want to hear Whoopi’s thoughts on the fact that her boss, The View’s creator Barbara Walters, is finally announcing her retirement at 83. Walters suffered an accident and hospitalization earlier this year and has only been on the television panel sporadically. She will finally step down in 2014, but assures us that the show will continue without her:
Barbara Walters is keeping her promise.
E! News has confirmed that the veteran newswoman will make her official retirement announcement during tomorrow’s episode of The View.
“I am very happy with my decision and look forward to a wonderful and special year ahead both on ‘The View’ and with ABC News,” she told ABC News. “I created ‘The View’ and am delighted it will last beyond my leaving it.”
She continues to say, “I do not want to appear on another program or climb another mountain. I want instead to sit on a sunny field and admire the very gifted women—and OK, some men too—who will be taking my place.”
ABC News President Ben Sherwood says, “There’s only one Barbara Walters, and we look forward to making her final year on television as remarkable, path-breaking and news-making as Barbara herself. Barbara will always have a home at ABC News and we look forward to a year befitting her brilliant career, filled with exclusive interviews, great adventures and indelible memories.”
After word got out that Walters was planning to retire in May of 2014, rumors began swirling that she would let everyone know about her career plans on the show in early April.
I’ve covered Barbara Walters many times and I didn’t realize that she’s 83 years old. Her plastic surgery is obvious but well done. I assumed she was in her mid 70s tops. Barbara is at an age where it seems inevitable that she steps down, but you get the impression that she’s holding on because she doesn’t want to lose control of her empire. She should have left back in 2007 when she got into that big to-do with Rosie O’Donnell. Remember that? Rosie and Barbara couldn’t shut up about it. Barbara was in yet another public feud with a different ex host, Star Jones, whom she trashed in her memoir. At that point Barbara was in her late 70s. She should have seen the writing on the wall earlier than this.
Photo credit: WENN.com
About time and end of an era.
Enjoy your wetirement, Baba Wawa!
Ha ha…weally & twuly!
It’s time. I mean this kindly but for several years now she has not been as “sharp” as she once was. It’s normal given her age and I would hate to see a remarkable legacy tainted beyond repair. I’m not a big fan but I respect her accomplishments.
Same here. She annoys the hell out of me but at the same time she was such a pioneer for women in journalism that I can’t outright hate her. And heck, if Betty White can still keep going at 90, Babs had that right too.
That said, I do think it’s time for her to retire. She’s earned a nice, quiet rest, no?
Exactly @LadyMTL. I don’t think she is/was much of a journalist but damn did she break through some barriers in the industry! That earns at least some respect from me.
I loved how she spun her “chicken pox” scenerio…when you’re 83, Barbara, it’s called shingles…
It’s only shingles when you have had the chicken pox first. You can get chicken pox at any age.
I know…I’m in the medical field, however, I’m just guessing she’s too vain to admit she had shingles. It’s just a guess, so I could be wrong (probably not)
Lived her life ‘To hell and back’.. also inflicted this charming talent upon her interviewed victims.. or gave them an easy way out.. No scruples.
Good riddance.
About time No More Hazy all white Vapid Interviews
I admire her accomplishment,it always takes guts to be the first. However, as a person, I’m not a fan. I used to watch the View, her co workers were so up her ass that it was a huge turn off for me. I can’t stand people who kiss ass and suck up to people. It’s fake and she really seems to enjoy the praise. massive ego with her.
Holy. I had no idea she was 83.
I think it’s about time. She used to be a journalist, but then with The View and her memoir, she became a story.
I can’t believe she is 83.
It’s time. She has interviewed EVERYONE! Her list of accomplishments in journalism rivals no woman, maybe even no other man. I do hope she continues wth little specials here and there “Most Fascinating People of 2013” etc. Didn’t read her book, but from the sounds of it, she was very honest and put it all out there. You may not agree with what she says, but this woman is respectable and a legend.
About time. If she stepped down a few years back it would have been the end of an era.
Homegirl looks GOOD! Also, THIS is the color Duchess Camilla’s hair should be.
Hey we should all look so good at 83! She did more than many of you will ever realize to get women recognized in media. So no snark from me about Barbara. She has worked hard to get where she is and she definately opened many doors for women of her age and beyond.
That’s absolutely right. As a TV journalist I owe her major props.
Also — people can lament that she strayed from her journalistic roots towards the end of her career. But the fact is, she understands what women viewers want and developed programming that met that need. It’s savvy business acumen. She already proved herself as a journalist decades ago.
I have to respect her accomplishments. Whenever I look at her though, all I can think about is that book she wrote where she talked about an affair she had with a married man. It definitely felt like she got a pass. She named the man. He’s still married to the same woman and I’m sure at her age had no interest in reliving it. It was a selfish and petty thing to do.
overstayed her welcome
About time. I don’t get why these celebrities announce their retirements or whatever, a year in advance. Give a month’s notice at the most and then, sod off.
I turned on the news and saw this and the way they were speaking about her I thought she died. Yeah, it’s about time for retirement.