By Karu F. Daniels, AOL Black Voices
'The View' is sure looking fuzzy these days.
Since big, bad mammer-jammer Rosie O'Donnell abruptly departed the estrogen-centric daily chat-fest, things have been tumbling downhill -- quick, fast and in a hurry.
A year after Star Jones Reynolds (also abruptly) exited the decade-old talk show, karma seems to be wielding its ugly head for the show's near-80-year-old creator/producer/star Barbara Walters.
For starters, the assortment of colorful talent that has guest-hosted the program hasn't turned up any real top contenders to fill Jones-Reynolds' big, old Payless Shoes.
And things didn't really turn out too rosy with the heavyweight lesbian comedian as the ringleader, stepping in for Meredith Vieira -- who seemed to run to greener pastures with a lead anchor job at 'The TODAY Show.'
The former 'Grease' star and Madonna gal pal clashed with nearly everyone she came into contact with -- including having a nasty verbal dust-up with real estate mogul Donald Trump, and her ongoing political battles with 'View' co-host and former sneaker designer Elzabeth Hasselback.
Since O'Donnell's departure, Nielsen Soundscan stats show a 13 percent decline in household ratings for the show in the past two weeks, published reports indicate.
And Walters thought that bringing in O'Donnel, coincidentally, right as they were trying to put Jones-Reynolds out to pasture, was the piece de resistance.
Uhhhh, nope!!!
She was left holding the bag.
A very heavy load.
But if you've been paying attention that last few days, you see how things have really gotten a bit out of hand.
Especially when it comes to Star Parker!
The new black star, who sat in as a co-host last week, caused a fury on the show -- with her ultra-conservative values and right wing proclivities.
Another wrong move!
Walters, holding on to her old glory days of being a ratings champ, came off as rude, crude and just downright dastardly during her awkward interaction with the 52-year-old former welfare queen, who traded in a life of crime (and four abortions) to be an Ambassador of a staunch Christian doctrine.
She seems to be taking out some pent up aggression on this black woman.
And having Michael Moore (promoting his latest film expose 'Sicko') on the show just added more grist for the mill.
Watch the clipped-up clip below to get the gist of what goes on nowadays at 'The View.'
Not a good look at all.


Comments: (15)
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By: Barbara Walters is old is my name on 6/28/2007 7:55AM
Pretty soon the view will be history if the rating continue to fall anyway.
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By: Just Saying on 6/28/2007 4:33AM
I agree with you #9 Camile, she was a mess, pushy aggressive everything they say about black women
I know Whoopi will be better
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By: Shondra on 7/03/2007 4:55PM
Wow, Barbara made a fool out of herself.Is making herself look out of touch w/ the school mum act. I felt bad for Star, Barb, and the audience. Why the ever present Bill Geddis, Producer, no longer cuts away is a question. He has a radio ear peice in each hosts ear and can guide them. He is known for being a strong presence, so why let them self destruct on this segment.
He likes to couple humilation w/ drama and thinks it will get ratings.Not working BW & BG.
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By: Melanie on 7/03/2007 5:07PM
Agree with the observation of Barbara and her By being incompetent, they set Star Parker up. They could of structured the format, given her some dignity.They let it run wild.They did the same thing when Rosie and whats her name decompensated. Sherry was too good to fall for it and stayed cleared. Barbara would of liked her to have gotten caught up in it I believe. BW humiliates certain guests and visiting hosts. She throws them under the buss so to speak. She then comes across out of touch and bigoted but thinks she is an icon.
There is a lot of weirdness coming out as BW ages,the vaneer covering is fading. It is not a pretty view of her real personality. BW is not aging well, not in regard to looks but her manner and interactions w/ diverse guests or topics.It is embarrassing.
What is with the two year rotating african american chair? What is up with that concept? What is that all about? Another example of being out of touch and more Weirdness.
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By: Melanie on 7/04/2007 12:32PM
Meant to get to the point.
BW and her producer,BG, go out of their way to let the African American or any diverse guests or hosts derail and loose their dignity. The 2 of them may look ok but mentally they are stripping gears.
They threw Star King overboard for a cheap laugh or superiority move. They try to sterotype African American hosts into unflattering slots. They r oblivious it comes across weird to all segments.
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