‘View’ Hosts Clash Over GoDaddy Puppy Ad, Defend Phillip Phillips in ‘American Idol’ Contract Dispute (Video)

Rosie O’Donnell questions Nicolle Wallace’s objections to the Super Bowl commercial, and criticizes the reality show’s hold over winners

Rosie O’Donnell and Nicolle Wallace didn’t see eye to eye about the recently pulled Super Bowl XLIX ad from GoDaddy on ABC’s “The View” Wednesday.

The domain-registering website and Super Bowl regular had planned to run an ad titled “Journey Home,” where an adorable puppy gets accidentally bumped out of the back of a pickup truck, sparking an inspiring journey to make it back to his farm. Buddy is welcomed back into his (temporary) owner’s open arms, when she reveals that her joy in seeing the presumed-gone pooch is for monetary purposes. “I’m so glad you made it home!” she declares. “Because I just sold you on this website I built with GoDaddy.”

While the ad was intended to be in good humor, many animal lovers don’t see the funny side.

“I don’t pretend to be neutral where puppies are involved. I’m obsessed. I’d have 30 if my husband would let [me],” Wallace said. “There’s nothing funny. There’s nothing cute. It’s a horrible sentiment, and I use GoDaddy, but I think that commercial is in terrible taste.”

O’Donnell quickly questioned her sentiment.

“But, now wait,” O’Donnell said. “You just got a pure breed dog from a breeder. So, why is this so offensive? I have full-breed dogs, too. I didn’t find it so horrific.”

Animal rescue groups like the SPCA compared selling a puppy online and receiving it the next day to inhumane breeding, TheWrap previously reported. A Change.org petition to remove the ad amassed more than 42,000 signatures before GoDaddy CEO Blake Irving yanked the commercial.

“People actually throw animals from cars,” Wallace responded. “If GoDaddy found it funny, they’d still be running it on the Super Bowl, right?”

Another hot topic discussed by the panel was “American Idol” winner Phillip Phillips’ wanting to be released from what he calls an “oppressive” contract with producer 19 Entertainment.

“I understand what he’s saying,” O’Donnell said. “Back in the day, I was on a show called ‘Star Search,’ but there was no obligation after you go on. I don’t think ‘American Idol’ should own the rights to these young entertainers for five years when they perform pretty much for free on TV.”

Guest co-host Michaela Watkins contrasted it to her time on “Saturday Night Live.”

“You don’t get rich working at ‘SNL,’ but that’s the idea, it launches your career,” Watkins said. “But [creator] Lorne Michaels doesn’t own you for the next five years after you leave. If they want to act as agent or manager and get their 10 percent, sure.”

Ending on a high note, Whoopi Goldberg closed the topic by mimicking the ballad from Disney’s “Frozen” by singing, “Let him go, let him go.”

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