In a striking critique, comedian Bill Maher has labeled the hosts of "The View" as an embarrassment to women during a recent podcast episode.
According to the Daily Mail, this story centers on Maher's harsh comments about the show's panelists, ongoing controversies involving accusations of liberal bias, calls for cancellation from the Trump administration, and claims of network reviews as voiced by former panelist Rosie O'Donnell.
Maher's remarks came during a conversation with Drew Barrymore on his Club Random podcast, which aired on Monday. He expressed skepticism about whether the hosts of "The View" are fitting representatives for their gender at this time. "And I did [the show] like a year ago. And I like everyone. But I don't know if they're really, at this moment, the best advertisement for women," Maher said.
"I'm friendly with some of the ladies on [the program] and I love them, but that show's a lot," he added. Maher also noted, "You know, I love Whoopi and Joy. Those are the two I really know." He further criticized the show's impact, saying, "They say some things that are, like, not helpful, to say, elections."
"The View," currently hosted by Whoopi Goldberg, Joy Behar, Sunny Hostin, Ana Navarro, Sara Haines, and Alyssa Farah Griffin, has faced its share of disputes. Maher himself clashed with the panel during his most recent appearance on the show in May 2024, when Sunny Hostin challenged him over his stance on Israel amid its conflict in Gaza. He also took issue with a statement from Goldberg comparing the experience of Black Americans to living in Iran, highlighting another point of contention.
Adding to the show's controversies, a study by the Media Research Center revealed that "The View" welcomed 102 guests with liberal leanings this year, without featuring a single conservative voice. Last week, an unnamed source countered these claims, insisting that the show actively reaches out to individuals across the political spectrum. "Without going into detail about the show's booking process, there is wide outreach across the aisle," the insider stated.
Just before the show went on hiatus until September, the Trump administration demanded its cancellation following a remark by Joy Behar. Behar had suggested on-air that President Trump harbored envy toward Barack Obama, in response to Trump's call for prosecuting Obama for alleged treason related to the 2016 election's Russian controversy. A White House spokesperson commented on the show's declining viewership, stating, "It's no surprise that 'The View's ratings hit an all-time low last year."
The spokesperson continued, "[Behar] should self-reflect on her own jealousy of President Trump's historic popularity before her show is the next to be pulled off air." The ratings drop last year has intensified scrutiny on the program, amplifying calls for its removal from the airwaves. This public criticism from the administration has fueled debates about the show's future and relevance.
On Wednesday, former panelist Rosie O'Donnell weighed in, alleging that ABC is conducting a review of the show's perceived liberal slant following the Media Research Center's findings.
O'Donnell suggested that this so-called review might be a precursor to the show's termination, claiming ABC is purging content misaligned with certain political ideologies. "This isn't about bias - this is about obedience," O'Donnell asserted.
"Because it's not enough to run the country into the ground. You have to control what people see, what they hear, what they think," she continued. O'Donnell also defended the show's boldness, stating, "The View is a little too much woman - a little too much truth." Her comments have added fuel to the speculation surrounding the program's fate amid growing tensions.
In May, reports surfaced from multiple outlets indicating that Disney, the parent company of ABC News, along with the network, urged the hosts of "The View" to moderate their political commentary.
According to the Daily Beast, the hosts found these requests to dial back their rhetoric to be 'silly' and chose to maintain their usual approach. The Daily Mail reached out to ABC News for an official statement on the matter, though no response has been detailed yet.
The convergence of Maher's critique, political bias allegations, and network pressures paints a complex picture for "The View" as it remains on break. Critics and supporters alike await the show's return in September to see how these controversies might shape its direction. The debates surrounding its content and representation continue to keep "The View" in the spotlight, for better or worse.