Bill O’Reilly, the outspoken conservative commentator, shared his thoughts on the evolution of ABC’s “The View” during a recent appearance on Jillian Michaels’ podcast. O’Reilly agreed with Michaels’ controversial assertion that the popular daytime talk show has become a source of “propaganda and poison.”
The Shift in Tone on ‘The View’
Michaels didn’t hold back when critiquing the show, stating:
“When I watch ‘The View,’ it is just propaganda and hate.”
O’Reilly echoed her sentiments, reminiscing about the earlier days of the show under its creator and former co-host, Barbara Walters:
“I’ve been on ‘The View’ multiple times, but that was when Barbara Walters was there. That hatred didn’t exist. You still had [Joy] Behar and [Whoopi] Goldberg. They were there, but the vibe was different. It wasn’t this unfiltered hostility.”
O’Reilly went on to suggest that the current tone of the show has damaged its parent network, ABC News:
“ABC News controls ‘The View.’ It’s hurting their brand. For what reason does ABC want to destroy their credibility by keeping this format? Disney will have to step in soon and take over.”
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Criticism of the Current Hosts
O’Reilly and Michaels both criticized the perceived political imbalance among the show’s hosts. O’Reilly claimed the show is trapped in a “New York City emotional bubble”, arguing that the hosts reflect only one side of the political spectrum:
“They hear only what they want to hear, live in a safe space, and believe whatever aligns with their views. It’s like a mental sedative.”
Michaels and O’Reilly both noted that while some hosts, like Alyssa Farah Griffin, are presented as moderate voices, they often side with their liberal co-hosts. This lack of genuine ideological diversity, they argued, alienates conservative viewers.
Former Co-Host Meghan McCain’s Perspective
Former co-host Meghan McCain, who often found herself at odds with her colleagues during her tenure on ‘The View,’ voiced similar concerns after Donald Trump’s 2024 election victory announcement:
“It is real malpractice on ABC News’ part that there isn’t a single conservative woman on ‘The View’ who voted for Trump or can explain to America why he remains so popular,” McCain tweeted.
McCain’s comment highlighted what many critics perceive as a lack of balance on the panel, which has led to ongoing discussions about whether the show truly represents diverse perspectives.
The Legacy of Barbara Walters
O’Reilly’s remarks also paid tribute to the late Barbara Walters, the trailblazing journalist who launched ‘The View’ in 1997. Walters envisioned the show as a platform for women from different backgrounds to discuss politics, culture, and current events.
O’Reilly noted that while Walters faced criticism during her time, the show maintained a level of decorum and diversity of thought that he believes is now missing.
“Barbara created a platform for genuine dialogue, even if there were disagreements. What we see now is just an echo chamber.”
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What’s Next for ‘The View’?
O’Reilly speculated that Disney, the parent company of ABC, may intervene to address the criticism surrounding ‘The View.’ He suggested the network might revamp the show to appeal to a broader audience and salvage its reputation.
While the show continues to draw millions of viewers, its increasingly polarized tone has sparked a broader conversation about the role of daytime television in fostering meaningful discourse.
Conclusion
As ‘The View’ faces scrutiny for its perceived lack of balance and increasing political bias, it’s clear that the debate over its tone and format is far from over. Critics like Bill O’Reilly and Meghan McCain argue that the show has strayed from its original mission of fostering diverse perspectives, while others believe it reflects the deeply divided political landscape of today.
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