Whoopi Goldberg, the 67-year-old co-host of the talk show “The View,” may face potential complications with ABC, the network that airs the show. During a panel discussion, Goldberg expressed her dissent toward another ABC program, raising the possibility of a clash within the network.
In the course of discussing the recently released documentary centered around Anna Nicole Smith, titled “You Don’t Know Me,” Goldberg delved into the societal tendency to pass judgment on others. With conviction, she remarked, “I believe that as a society, we have a fascination with watching and critiquing others.” Then, she recalled, “I’ve always held the belief that… what’s the name of that show?… marked the beginning of society’s downward spiral.”
Amidst the conversation, one of the producers offered a smile and quipped, “That’s American Idol on ABC,” seemingly acknowledging Goldberg’s critique and the potential irony of the situation.
“It’s worth noting that ABC wasn’t always the original broadcaster of the show,” Goldberg disclosed, shedding light on the fact that the music competition series had a different network affiliation when it initially debuted.Expanding on her sentiments towards “American Idol,” she elaborated on the consequences of granting individuals the power to criticize others. “Once we allowed people to freely critique others, I believe we spiraled out of control… They wanted the general public to determine the worth of each individual. It set us on a recurring path,” she explained.
Despite the producer’s and her fellow panelists’ attempts to steer the conversation towards a positive outlook on their own show, Goldberg admitted, “When I started watching it, ABC didn’t have it. It was an entirely different show altogether. This presentation deviates from the norm. The judges come from diverse backgrounds… ABC is aware of my sentiments regarding this matter. They are fully informed. However, this issue is unrelated to them. It’s connected to the show in some way.”
“American Idol” made its debut on Fox in 2002 and swiftly became an integral part of the cultural landscape. Judge Simon Cowell played a significant role in its success, renowned for his blunt critiques of the contestants. Over the course of eight seasons, Cowell, along with fellow judges Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson, offered both praise and criticism to the competitors. Since then, numerous celebrities have taken on the role of judges. Presently, Katy Perry, Lionel Richie, and Luke Bryan occupy the panelist seats for the competition.
Good thing the View isn’t the Gong Show!