The View premiered on ABC on August 11, 1997. Today, to celebrate the daytime talkshow’s 20th season, Joy Behar hosted original co-hosts Meredith Vieira, Star Jones, and Debbie Matenopoulos. Watch the opening segment, below. While their appearance was a surprise, earlier in the week, Behar said fans would not want to miss today’s episode.
Barbara Walters, who created The View with executive producer Bill Geddie, was unable to attend the reunion. That said, all the co-hosts sung her praises and expressed their gratitude toward her. Whoopi Goldberg, Candace Cameron Bure, and Sara Haines had the day off.
Original Co-Hosts of The View Reunite to Mark the Show’s 20th Season
Variety was on hand to get the scoop on how today’s surprise reunion came together. Co-EP Brian Teta said this reunion was one of their first ideas upon kicking off The View‘s 20th season. He then added:
I like the idea of an alternate reality, where the panel stayed exactly the same. How would Meredith, Star and Debbie react to the political season? I thought it would be a fun way to honor Barbara Walters’ vision.
Today’s reunion was rich with nostalgia. The co-hosts sat around the original wooden Hot Topics table. The show also featured the old View couches, as well as original cast mugs.
Watch the opening segment of today’s episode of The View. The returning hosts came out on stage and assumed their original seats, as though they had never left.
WHAT IS HAPPENING!? How’s this for an EPIC #FlashbackFriday!? "Now, where were we?" – @meredithvieira https://t.co/GBX7hslwhq
— The View (@TheView) November 11, 2016
Finally, watch the co-hosts discuss their surprise return. Take a little time to enjoy The View.
DÉJÀ ‘VIEW’! Original @TheView co-hosts @meredithvieira, @StarJonesEsq, @JoyVBehar, & @iamdebbiem discuss their #FlashbackFriday surprise! pic.twitter.com/ZqLDm1zhMS
— The View (@TheView) November 11, 2016
What do you think? Did you watch today’s reunion on The View? Did you enjoy the original hosts? Let us know, below.
Barbara should have been there she created it after all.