The American daytime talk programme The View has come under fire after it chose not to address ABC’s indefinite suspension of Jimmy Kimmel Live during Thursday’s broadcast, despite the story dominating media coverage across the United States.
Rather than discussing their network colleague’s removal from the air, the programme opened with a celebration of co-host Sara Haines’ 48th birthday.
Moderator and regular host Whoopi Goldberg announced “it’s Sara’s birthday!” as the panel took their seats, whilst Alyssa Farah Griffin remarked on Ms Haines’ “sexy dress” in her birthday photograph displayed on screen.
The omission proved particularly notable given The View’s reputation for tackling controversial current affairs during their daily Hot Topics segment, where major news stories typically receive extensive commentary from the five-member panel.
The panel instead devoted its airtime to FBI Director Kash Patel’s congressional testimony from Wednesday, focusing on his handling of the Epstein Files.
Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr.’s efforts to reshape the Centers for Disease Control also featured prominently in their discussions.
The hosts additionally explored whether romantic breakups might lead to successful long-term relationships, before conducting interviews with actor Eugene Levy about his travel programme, The Reluctant Traveler, and American football legend Terry Bradshaw, alongside his wife Tammy, regarding their new cookbook.
Throughout the broadcast, no mention was made of Mr Kimmel’s suspension or the circumstances surrounding ABC’s decision.
The programme concluded with the presenters discussing birthday cookies prepared for Ms Haines, with Ms Goldberg signing off by telling viewers she would “see you tomorrow”.
The suspension followed Mr Kimmel’s Monday monologue, where he stated: “We hit some new lows over the weekend with the MAGA gang desperately trying to characterise this kid who murdered Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them and doing everything they can to score political points from it.”
Mr Kimmel’s fellow late-night talk show presenters showed solidarity with him on Thursday evening, with Jimmy Fallon, Stephen Colbert, and Seth Meyers dedicating portions of their shows to the presenter.
Several famous faces, such as Ben Stiller and Michael Keaton, have also spoken out in support, which made the backlash to Ms Goldberg and co-stars’ silence all the more furious.
Many pointed out the seeming “hypocrisy” of the panel for failing to stand up for Kimmel. “You are kidding me, the way all of you acted, not one word about Jimmy Kimmel, what a bunch of hypocrites! Looking forward to your show next,” one X user fumed.
“Cowards and hypocrites. Not a word today about Kimmel,” a second pointed out while a third echoed: “@TheView Does anybody find it odd that The View has been completely silent on Jimmy Kimmel?
“Odd. They always have something to say. Guessing they’re not allowed? Weird, because it’d be a good hot topic. They must have a view on it. Hypocrites.”
Elsewhere, a fourth weighed in: “Shame on all of you for not addressing Jimmy Kimmel! We need to stand together against this administration! Whoopi & Joy, really? Not a word. I am so disgusted & disappointed. Truth to power is what you preached. Shame on all of you for caving!”
A sixth concurred: “Failing to address the Jimmy Kimmel story, or speak about Freedom of Speech in the media, is unforgivable.
“We know Disney/ABC sucks, but the panel should’ve walked off the set if they couldn’t keep it real. I’m surprised that The View caved. It will always be remembered.”
And another added to the discussion: “Of course @TheView would bow down and not address the Jimmy Kimmel situation #Cowards.” (sic)
One person who has celebrated Mr Kimmel’s suspension is the President of the United States, Donald Trump. Taking to Truth Social on the day of the news, the president said Mr Kimmel was a man of “no talent” and his show endured “failing ratings”.
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