OPINION: This article may contain commentary which reflects the author's opinion.
Another day, another round of drama on ABC’s “The View.”
Co-host Whoopi Goldberg grabbed headlines when she claimed “American Idol” contributed to the “beginning of the downfall of society,” which led to her arguing with executive producer Brian Teta and some pushback from her own colleagues.
The conversation began when Goldberg kicked off a segment detailing 18-year-old Hawaii-born singer Iam Tongi winning Season 21 of the show.
“We, as a society, love to watch stuff to judge folks,” Goldberg said. “You know, I’ve always thought that the beginning of the downfall of society was with ― what’s the name of that show? I always tell you that,” she continued, looking over to Teta.
“ABC’s ‘American Idol,’” replied Teta before the audience let out a laugh. ABC notably is also the network that airs “The View.”
“Because once we gave people the ability to judge other people, I think we ran amuck with it and it’s gone out of control,” said Goldberg.
“Remember ‘The Gong Show?’” asked co-host Joy Behar, referencing the 1970s show that allowed judges to hit a gong to signal their distaste for a performance.
Goldberg said that she doesn’t remember an instance where “so many people” judged a person’s talent. Teta and co-host Sunny Hostin chimed in that Goldberg likes the show now that it’s on ABC.
Goldberg said it was “a very different show” now than when it began.
“ABC knows that I feel like this. I’ve told them,” Goldberg said. “It had nothing to do with them, it had to do with the show. See, you starting stuff, man.”
WATCH:
“The View” made headlines last Friday after co-host Sara Haines made a comment that was apparently so inappropriate that her audio was cut.
The segment began when the ladies at the table were discussing the recent announcement that ABC will be expanding the Bachelor universe to include the “golden years.” In The Golden Bachelor, a senior citizen will have the chance to date women with a “lifetime of experience,” they said while describing the show.
Whoopi Goldberg kicked things off by saying, “I’m calling it the ‘Old People’s Bachelor,’” which triggered many of the hosts to also make a slew of inappropriate comments about a senior citizen having the opportunity to date women with “experience.”
Co-host Alyssa Farah Griffin shared that she thought this was “a good idea,” adding, “A lot of couples on The Bachelor don’t stay together, it’s people in their young 20s, a lot of 23-year-old girls… I think having a 60+ bachelor and bachelorettes will actually be more likely to last in a relationship because you know who you are and what you want.”
Sunny Hostin and Joy Behar kicked things into overdrive by joking about the seniors using “the Fantasy Suite,” which led to Haines making a comment that was apparently so inappropriate that producers cut her audio before it was aired live.
“You guys, these are only 60-year-olds!” she said. “Do you know how young 60 is? I know 60-year-olds, they run marathons. They do –” Haines said before her mic was cut.
The camera cut to Goldberg, who had a shocked expression on her face.
“Oh my god,” Haines said, putting her head down on the table.
