Jenny McCarthy and Sherri Shepherd said farewell to every cast and crew member of “The View” Thursday during their final live taping of the show. But moderator and sole surviving co-host Whoopi Goldberg did not appear on the episode.
ABC representative has not yet returned TheWrap’s request for comment on Goldberg’s absence.
Fellow departing co-hosts Shepherd and McCarthy will be featured in Friday and Monday’s episodes of ABC’s long-running daytime talk show, but both of those episodes were pre-taped. Thursday’s episode marked their final live moments on the show.
“All I can say is wow, I am so grateful,” said McCarthy while fighting back tears. “I am grateful.”
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“This is a job where you’ve got a lot of craziness going on,” said Shepherd, “but Jenny McCarthy always comes in with a smile and is one of the nicest people to work with in this business so it’s been so wonderful having you here for the first year.”
Shepherd and McCarthy were joined by two guest hosts, Ginger Zee (“Good Morning America”) and Suzy Welch (an acclaimed author).
Both McCarthy and Shepherd had kind, generous things to say about former co-host Barbara Walters right before the credits rolled. Walters retirement was celebrated in May during a sendoff episode that united all 11 previous “View” co-hosts. Notably missing from McCarthy and Shepherd’s heartfelt goodbyes was any mention of Goldberg, but perhaps viewers will have to wait for the pre-taped episodes to witness the lovefest between the three ladies.
“This show was created by Barbara Walters and [executive producer] Bill Geddie and Bill recognized the need for a show for women, for us to be able to talk about us with out interference,” said Shepherd.
As TheWrap reported Wednesday, ABC has replaced Geddie and is bringing in “The Rachel Maddow Show’s” Bill Wolf to produce “The View.”
Also read: ‘The View’ EP Bill Geddie Exiting the Daytime Talker
“Bill Geddie there really are no words,” said McCarthy. “Working with you I can now say I’ve worked with the best in the business.”
“And to the incredibly hard working producers and crew, you’ve all taught me so much, you’ve been a shining example of professionalism, humility and class each and every day,” she continued. “You are all the real reason this show has been a staple for 17 years.”
“I only took a little time but I definitely enjoyed every second of ‘The View.’”
Watch the video above.
Update (Aug. 8, 2014): TheWrap confirms that Whoopi Goldberg‘s absence from Thursday’s episode of “The View” was due to her involvement in the network’s test screening of potential new hosts. Rosie O’Donnell also participated.