The outspoken Oscar winner has informed friends that she’s fed up with ABC’s morning chatfest and wants to bail from the panel, where she has held forth on topics weighty and trivial since 2007.
“Whoopi has told those close to her she will exit the show,” said one daytime TV veteran, who spoke with TheWrap on the condition of anonymity.
Whether she really means it or could be persuaded to stay remains to be seen. Goldberg, 60, is in talks with ABC about extending her contract, which is up at the end of this season. Making noise about leaving is a time-honored tactic used to increase bargaining leverage.
The network bosses seem open to an agreement. “We want her back and are trying to make that happen,” said a source close to the show.
But change of one sort or another is likely coming to “The View” soon. Raven-Symone, who joined the panel last year, probably won’t be returning, one insider said.
The remaining panel members are Joy Behar (the sole original co-host), Michelle Collins, Candace Cameron Bure and Paula Faris.
The hosts’ reps aren’t talking. Goldberg’s publicist did not return a call and e-mail, and one of her agents at CAA likewise remained mum. A Raven-Symone rep did not respond to an e-mail.
ABC’s morning lineup is facing major changes this year. Last month, the network announced that it would move Michael Strahan, co-host of “Live With Kelly and Michael,” to “Good Morning America.” Executives are trying to help “GMA” recapture an advantage in its nonstop ratings battle with NBC’s “Today.”
9 Outrageous Whoopi Goldberg Moments on 'The View' (Videos)
Defending Bill Cosby
When actress Barbara Bowman came forward in 2014 accusing Bill Cosby of rape, Goldberg expressed skepticism and came to his defense. "I’m going to reserve my judgments because I have a lot of questions,” she said.
Clash with Carly Fiorina
When 2016 presidential candidate Carly Fiorina appeared on “The View” after calling the hosts out for making fun of her looks, Goldberg accused her of manufacturing a “fake feud” to raise her own profile. Fiorina quickly shot back that the show was doing the same by promoting the highly anticipated interview.
Walk-off
In 2010, when “The View” played host to Fox News star Bill O’Reilly, Goldberg and co-host Joy Behar famously walked off the show. The conversation erupted into a shouting match when O’Reilly said, “Muslims killed us on 9/11.” Behar said she couldn’t sit next to O’Reilly because she was so “outraged,” and was joined in her walk-off by Goldberg.
Arguing racism with Rosie O’Donnell
When Rosie O’Donnell returned to “The View” in 2014, rumors swirled about tension between the two comics. One of their frequent on-air clashes came in December when Goldberg told O’Donnell she can’t understand racism as a white woman. “Listen, you are a white lady telling me what is racist to you, which is fine,” said a heated Goldberg, but she was adamant that only someone who has experienced it first-hand knows what racism is.
“No, honey, I’m famous”
After an awkward interview with cranky actress-model Cara Delevingne went viral, the hosts of “The View” chastised the starlet for being a “bitch,” and told her to suck it up. Goldberg argued that as a “newbie” who isn’t a famous actress, Delevingne has no right to act like a diva. And when co-host Michelle Collins interjected to say that Delevingne is someone famous, Goldberg informed her: “No, honey, I'm famous.”
Donald Trump
Goldberg clashed with Donald Trump long before he was a serious presidential candidate. In 2011, Goldberg accused the real estate mogul of racism when he demanded to see President Barack Obama’s birth certificate, saying he’d never ask that of a white president. “I think that’s the biggest pile of dog mess I’ve heard in ages,” said Goldberg when Trump assured her it had nothing to do with race.
It’s OK for men to hit women … sometimes
When video surfaced of NFL player Ray Rice assaulting his wife, leading to widespread condemnation, Goldberg offered defense. “If you hit somebody, you cannot be sure you’re not going to be hit back,” she said to strong disagreement from her co-hosts.
Ann Coulter
Not one to shy away from a debate around race, Goldberg went head-to-head with conservative author Ann Coulter when she appeared on “The View” to argue that liberals don’t care about black people. “Please stop,” Goldberg told Coulter. “If you’re going to talk about race, at least know what you’re talking about.”
Lecturing Candace Cameron Bure on abortion
The conservative star of Netflix’s “Fuller House,” Candace Cameron Bure caught flak when she backed the defunding of Planned Parenthood. “It used to be all about the hanger,” Goldberg said. “And in the old days, the reason abortion became legal, just in case folks don’t remember, is because people got tired of tripping over women who gave themselves abortions in the bathroom, you know, or went to people who gave them Clorox to drink.”
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With reports that the star may exit the ABC daytime talker, TheWrap looks back at her most memorable moments
Defending Bill Cosby
When actress Barbara Bowman came forward in 2014 accusing Bill Cosby of rape, Goldberg expressed skepticism and came to his defense. "I’m going to reserve my judgments because I have a lot of questions,” she said.
