Tensions behind the scenes of ABC’s The View are reaching fever pitch with the reasons as surprising as they are absurd.
Despite its continued dominance in daytime television, ‘low morale’ is said to be plaguing the flagship talk show, with everything from politics to matters as seemingly trivial as having to share a dressing room with a sister show.
According to insiders, the latest round of ABC layoffs has also created a palpable sense of unease among staff and hosts alike.
Sources told the New York Post how The View’s executive producer, Brian Teta, has asked the hosts to go ‘easy’ on discussions involving President Donald Trump following the inauguration.
This request, seemingly meant to temper the political temperature, has not sat well with the outspoken panelists, known for their fiery debates and sharp critiques.
‘There’s a lot of anxiety even though they just went through layoffs,’ an insider explained noting how even well-respected senior producers Jamie Hammer and Audrey Jones were not spared from the chopping block.
‘People were shocked that he’d fire such experienced, well-respected producers,’ the source continued. ‘Morale is low.’
In recent weeks The View co-hosts have been more measured in their discussions about Trump, worried about potential backlash.
Tensions behind the scenes of ABC’s The View are reaching fever pitch with some surprising reasons to blame. From left, Joy Behar, Sara Haines, Whoopie Goldberg, Sunny Hostin and Alyssa Farah Griffin
The View’s executive producer, Brian Teta, has asked the hosts to go ‘easy’ on discussions involving President Donald Trump following his inauguration
The political divide among the panelists has been stark with Alyssa Farah Griffin, a former Trump staffer, urging her co-hosts to consider engaging with opposing viewpoints more openly.
‘Democrats have to be willing to go to uncomfortable spaces,’ she argued, acknowledging that she supports some of Trump’s policies.
Meanwhile, Sara Haines recently admitted that she felt ‘out of touch’ with viewers because none of the panelists had voted for Trump.
The argument has only served to fuel debate among the hosts, with Whoopi Goldberg and Joy Behar remaining steadfast in their criticism of the president.
But the unease extends far beyond politics. In what might be described as a more comically frustrating development, The View’s co-hosts are allegedly fuming over their forced cohabitation with The Tamron Hall Show within ABC’s new headquarters.
Until recently, the The View had its own studio space and dressing rooms but the change in location has been jarring.
Guests now have to share dressing rooms, and staffers can no longer leave their belongings in the studio overnight.
Toe make matters worse, the two programs are butting heads over their overlapping taping schedules.
The View’s co-hosts are said to be fuming over their forced cohabitation with The Tamron Hall Show within ABC’s new headquarters
ABC News workers say ‘the new office at Hudson Square is very basic. There isn’t enough space or offices. There are no executive suites, just regular-sized offices.’
‘Tamron Hall thinks she’s Oprah. She is very demanding,’ one insider who didn’t hold back claimed to The Post.
‘She doesn’t realize she’s playing second fiddle to The View,’ they added, describing the brewing rivalry between the two productions.
But it’s not just the stars feeling the pressure, ABC’s entire downtown New York headquarters, which has been dubbed ‘no man’s land’ by employees, is causing frustration across the board.
The Holland Tunnel traffic adds to the daily chaos, and the lack of personal space has made working conditions even more challenging.
‘There are not a lot of desks. People just get drawers, and they are assigned lockers,’ an insider explained, describing the office’s minimalist approach.
‘The new office is very basic. There isn’t enough space or offices. There are no executive suites, just regular-sized offices.’
Such claims have been rebuffed by network sources who have defended the move, insisting, ‘the building is gorgeous’ and that there is ample space to accommodate everyone.
