Kathy Griffin is sharing painful memories from her past appearances on “The View.”
She revealed that Barbara Walters repeatedly struck her beneath the broadcast desk due to a strong personal dislike, amid certain disagreements between them.
Meanwhile, former cohost Sherri Shepherd has similarly alleged that she also didn’t have a pleasant experience during her time on the show.
Griffin recently detailed the physical toll of her past guest-hosting roles on the morning television program, “The View.” As seen in a YouTube clip, the comedian alleged that the legendary creator of the show, Walters, frequently struck her lower body during production.
According to Griffin, the television icon, who passed away three years ago, possessed a strong personal dislike for her. She revealed that Walters allegedly kicked her underneath the discussion desk, leaving lasting physical marks on her skin.
“Barbara Walters, the late great, who I adored, did not care for me, so she kicked me under the table,” Griffin said. “And I used to leave that show with bruises, but proud of them.”
Despite the physical discomfort, the comic admitted she proudly displayed the resulting discoloration to her acquaintances as a badge of honor, jokingly saying that Walters had a BDSM kink, as reported by Entertainment Weekly.
Kathy Griffin Previously Bashed Elisabeth Hasselbeck & Meghan McCain
Griffin’s revelation about the tension between her and Walters comes almost two months after she unleashed on former “The View” cohosts Elisabeth Hasselbeck & Meghan McCain.
The comic specifically targeted her past rival, Hasselbeck, characterizing their previous arguments as dealing with absolute “stupidity” or what she described as “indignant stupidity.”
She further directed sharp criticism toward another ex-panelist, McCain, applying a highly offensive label by calling her an “annoying c-nt.” The performer explained that she intentionally targeted McCain because she easily “takes the bait every time,” per The Blast.
However, the stand-up star clarified that she genuinely “loves” the current panel of female presenters, which includes notable figures like Whoopi Goldberg and Joy Behar.
Jenny McCarthy Shared Her Two Cents On Coming Back To ‘The View’
Griffin doesn’t seem to be the only one to have a controversial history with “The View.” Jenny McCarthy, another former presenter, completely ruled out ever returning.
The model explained that an unexpected shift in the program’s creative direction left her feeling entirely overwhelmed and out of place. McCarthy noted that she originally joined the broadcast panel under the impression that her role would be strictly lighthearted.
However, this entertainment-focused format only lasted for a single week before producers abruptly informed her that they intended to pivot the daily discussions toward heavy political topics instead. This caused massive panic for the presenter, who did not view herself as a politically minded individual during that period of her life.
The Blast reported that she recalled feeling completely lost regarding how to handle the new expectations. When asked on the audio broadcast if she would ever consider participating in a special gathering with other past hosts, she stated, “Over my dead body would I ever step foot in that place.”
Sherri Shepherd Fully Validated Jenny McCarthy’s Claims Of Having A Strenuous Experience At ‘The View’
Amid McCarthy’s confession to having a hard time on the show, Shepherd echoed a similar experience, remembering the exact moment the daily production dramatically shifted away from its original premise.
According to The Blast, she confirmed that McCarthy’s statements were “absolutely true,” noting that the account of the stressful period was completely accurate.
The media personality recalled that network coordinators initially recruited the model because viewer research groups specifically expressed a strong desire for a lighter, more lighthearted atmosphere with minimal political tension.
However, the television audience quickly reversed its preferences, demanding that hard-hitting governmental debates be pushed right back to the center of the daily panel discussions.
Kathie Lee Gifford Criticized The Alleged Hostility and Changing Dynamics Of ‘The View’
Shepherd and Griffin’s description of network-mandated styling shifts on “The View” aligns with broader criticisms regarding how the program’s overall tone has evolved over the years.
Another seasoned television personality, Kathie Lee Gifford, expressed deep disappointment with the current atmosphere of the daily talk show, contrasting it sharply with her past experiences on the set.
The media veteran suggested that the modern iteration of the panel reflects a wider, more hostile shift in how people interact publicly, per The Blast.
Gifford also noted that while she has had great experiences with the show in the past, its tone has changed drastically because everybody seems “miserable” now.
