"The View": Week of 9/15/14

[Athena]

Mo 9/15: Season Premiere
Tu 9/16: Kirsten Dunst, Rachael Ray
We 9/17: Neil Patrick Harris, Tim McGraw
Th 9/18: Jessica Chastain
Fr 9/19: Billy Crystal 

 

This is the first of weekly episode topics that we will be trying out in this forum. Every week someone can make an episode thread with the forthcoming guest list.

 

We will try this out for awhile instead of using just "All Episodes Talk". You can still use that topic to talk about what has aired on the show previously and to discuss the show in general.

 

Please keep on topic and discuss what has been presented in this week's episodes. Thank you. 

[RogerFromOhio]

The argument about child discipline was handled in a respectful manner.

[Bronzedog]

30 minutes in and I'm thinking sitting thru this might kill me.

[RogerFromOhio]

Rosie O sitting cross legged was kinda distracting

[RogerFromOhio]

We never talked about her politics..... but during the discussion about Hillary Clinton..... did Rosie Perez say that she didn't vote for Obama??

oops... I guess I'm on the wrong thread.... sorry... you can move it if you like

[LucyEth]

I cannot even wait for the show to be over, Rosie Perez could hardly get the words out to talk about herself. How can she express a clear and concise opinion on any subject.  Did she call Mitt Romney "Mick"?  Think Whoopi is disrespectful to the "republican".  Republican just said, if you can't even say it, what am i doing here, in respect to saying Sarah Palin.   Actually, I don't care for Rosie O'Donnell and she is the least annoying.  Show is a joke as always in my opinion. 

Edited September 15, 2014 by LucyEth

[Maire]

Oooof! That was rough. Not that I am interested in what she has to say but I don't think Nicole Wallace is going to get up the nerve to take on Elizabeth's old part.

They all look worn out except for Whoopi.

[GHScorpiosRule]

What I want to know is if they talked about or mentioned Robin Williams and/or Joan Rivers?

[Vinyasa]

Well, I'm not sure what to make of this first show. Don't really like the coffee table, think they were better sitting around a table. Something feels off.

 

Also at the end it listed Geddie and BW as ex producers. So Geddie is still around???

[RogerFromOhio]

Oooof! That was rough. Not that I am interested in what she has to say but I don't think Nicole Wallace is going to get up the nerve to take on Elizabeth's old part.

They all look worn out except for Whoopi.

I know what you mean Marie there didn't seem to be much chemistry at that table

What I want to know is if they talked about or mentioned Robin Williams and/or Joan Rivers?

They mentioned Robin Williams..... and had a segment on Joan Rivers

[Bronzedog]

I assume since Billy Crystal is on Friday, there will be some kind of tribute to Robin Williams then. Plus, it's probably going to be pretty rough for Whoopie. Maybe she didn't want to start the week that what or BC wasn't available. Just speculating, though.

[NextIteration]

I listen mostly and don't watch.  I enjoyed it.  That said, it's clear that they all just met last week for the first time, they will need some time to build chemistry.

 

Don't expect Nicolle Wallace to be like Bitsy in any way shape or form.  Nicolle Wallace is a professional.

[stillbored]

The Ro or Ro game reminded my a lot of Rosie's old show (and it didn't seem like Rosie P was completely sure of what she was doing). I know Ellen always has games on her show, but it really seemed out of place at the View. Although it was great that all the audience members got a gift. The Joan Rivers' tribute at the end was sweet but I wasn't sure why Kristin Chenowith was there (I thought she was primarily a comedic actress but does she sing or do Broadway?). And to me it sort of separated Whoopi and Rosie from Nicole and Rosie P in terms of celebrity friends (I know Rosie P is an actress but the only thing I have ever seen her on is Law and Order SVU, so I don't know how well known she is).

The hugs at the end really made it look like there was some sort of stature difference between the 4 co-hosts. W and R were hugging each other (with Kristen) and the N and RP were hugging each other off on the side until RO thought to include the other 2 into a group hug.

[car54]

I thought it was better than I expected.   They all seemed a little nervous--but that's to be expected on their first time out.    Whoopi seemed happy and at ease, Rosie O seemed a little tense to me--but I think she's very aware of the talk of her kind of taking over, so she was managing herself carefully.  Loved Rosie P and I enjoyed Ms Wallace.   I think the new studio seems really small and intimate.   I kind of miss the big table --it seems more comfy to sit at than the setup they have now.   

I know Rosie O likes game shows but I hope they don't do too many of them with the audience.

I think it may take a couple of weeks to let them settle in and relax with each other, but so far it was ok for me.   Huge improvement over the past cast.    The tribute to Joan made me sad even though it's been a week or so.    Glad they acknowleged her--she was on so often.

[Cementhead]

Thank you so much for starting this new feature!  As a former TWOPer, I will admit that I have had a hard time joining in here as much as I would like to because I find the format of multiple topic threads to be confusing and too hard to keep up with.  I honestly just never know where to post something and never know where to go when I am looking for information on something.  And to keep up with all of the new posts on a daily basis when there are multiple threads to wade through has been tough for me to get the hang of. 

 

So thank you so much for adding this feature!!  This will be my new daily go-to thread. :)

 

As for the show today -- they have went back to their roots as far as the set goes.  Very reminiscent of the early days.  I see they've moved the audience much closer.  That is new.  Is Geddie still there?

Edited September 15, 2014 by Cementhead

[stillbored]

 

Also at the end it listed Geddie and BW as ex producers. So Geddie is still around???

I didn't bother watching the closing credits, but my understanding is the BW and Geddie created the show together and therefore since it was his idea maybe they are leaving him has executive producer in name only. (similar to how the star of a show sometimes gets the title of producer, even though they probably don't really have any say about what goes on with show).

[bannana]

I really wanted to like it but it was a bit flat for me.  Yes, the discussion was respectful, which I like, and crosstalk was not there, which I also like, but they seemed to just be so careful.   I think Rosie P was more brave than Ro.  Nicole Wallace's stories about politics I find interesting but those will run out.  I still think they should have a young co-host in her twenties.  This was not must see TV for me.

 

I didn't like the audience game at all.  Ellen now does that better than Ro.

 

Didn't the women of the Talk have a sofa first year and they sat without their shoes, like Ro did today? 

 

Whoopi didn't like the set up, you could tell.

[Medicine Crow]

If I wanted to see games, I'd watch Ellen (& I only watch Ellen when she's interviewing someone I like).  However, I think the primary thrust of "the game" was to familiarize everyone with Rosie P.   Most of us don't know much about her, so it was interesting to find out a little of her background.

[bannana]

I forgot to mention the lame bit at the beginning that they taped with BaWA.  WTF was that?

[sugarbaker design]

Didn't the women of the Talk have a sofa first year and they sat without their shoes, like Ro did today?

 

The Talk had a table like they still do, however for interview segments they had a comfy couch.  Leah would often appear shoeless and unfortunately she would also pick her feet. 

[ginger90]

I forgot to mention the lame bit at the beginning that they taped with BaWA.  WTF was that?

Honestly? Elder abuse.

[Jaded]

Babs looked out of her mind in that opening bit.

I didn't mind the game since it was so short. It did seem like a way to familiarize people with Rosie P more and to also involve the audience a bit.

[ChicagoCita]

Awkward bits, but a HUGE improvement over the last couple years IMO.

 

No blue cards!  No cross-talk!  No tantrums, or Bachelorette, or 40somethings acting like teenyboppers.  No selfies, or wall of photos, or gushing Twitter feed!  That's what I liked.

 

Too serious, all heavy topics coming right out of the gate.  Nicolle not saying a word in the first half hour when discussing any topic other than politics.  Nicolle describing herself with her first words as "The Republican."  (As awkward as any other woman describing herself as "The Black," "The Lesbian," or "The Latina."  C'mon.)  Some initial rough spots.  That's what I didn't like.

 

On the whole, I am impressed enough to keep tuning in and watch them evolve.

 

wasn't sure why Kristin Chenowith was there (I thought she was primarily a comedic actress but does she sing or do Broadway?).

She's known primarily as a Broadway singer/actress, and made her name doing "Wicked."  Everything else, including sitcoms, stemmed from that.

[RogerFromOhio]

I forgot to mention the lame bit at the beginning that they taped with BaWA.  WTF was that?

It was staged...... and they were taped separately.... which was really strange..... oh... and scripted too

[Haleth]

I thought they are off to a good start.  There was a freshness that hasn't been around for years.  Four women with brains, what a concept.

Edited September 15, 2014 by Haleth

[Vinyasa]

The Ro or Ro game reminded my a lot of Rosie's old show (and it didn't seem like Rosie P was completely sure of what she was doing). I know Ellen always has games on her show, but it really seemed out of place at the View.

 

I wasn't really into the game either. I don't think they need to hang out in the audience. Then it felt like the Price is Right with gift.

[NextIteration]

Whatever they did that I did or didn't especially like today, the show was still a 100% improvement over the few last shows from the previous season that I forced myself to watch.  It will take some time for them to try a few things and toss them and try some others.  I thought the "game show" thing was a vehicle to get to know Rosie P and do a big audience give away, the give away, is a sign that Ro is back. ;)

 

I really wanted Nicolle to get into the Palin thing, but that is too good of a story to give away on the first show.  Put it this way - Nicolle is NO fan of Palin.

[Milk-Eyed Mender]

Ro or Ro was idiotic, not least of all because every time I hear the word "Ro" I think of Roe v Wade and fish eggs.

More Sarah Palin dirt, Nicolle, please. As this was the first time I'd ever even seen Nicolle, I'd like to hear more from her. I'm particularly anxious to see if her political commentary runs a little deeper than trite sayings one might find embroidered on a pillow in Elisabeth Hasselback's guest bedroom.

[Tunia]

ACCCHHH - Just lost my whole long post!

 

Anyway, just chiming in to say it was just...OK.  They all seemed so overly cautious with each other, and it struck me as kind of boring, but perhaps they just need to gel and relax a bit.  Yeah, they managed to discuss their topics, but this is The View - we're all so accustomed to the trainwreck, and it feels like something is missing if no one brings the Crazy.

 

From a technical standpoint, thought the new set was boring also, and it really seems odd not to have the table there.  It makes a big difference - the table brings them all in closer to each other (and will give them something to bang on, when necessary).  This way they seem too removed from each other.  And the sound seemed very tinny - almost sounded like they were doing an outside on-location show.  I'm wondering if it's the acoustics in the new studio.

 

Still not grooving on the two Rosies.  Rosie P's voice has always annoyed me, and I think once she gets comfortable and her energy level goes up, it's going to be really disturbing.  Rosie O is Rosie O.  Not my fav, but will give her another shot in this remake.  Would have loved to hear Nicolle comment on the latest Palin kerfluckle of Todd's b-day party/rumble complete with Bristol throwing right punches.

 

And, of course, BaWa...ya' knew she couldn't stay away (even if taped), but that was just all wrong.  Go away and STAY away!

 

As Ellen would say, "Oh well..."

[Morbs]

Rosie taking on the NFL is why I appreciate her. Some institutions are just so beloved and rich that they can get away with anything, yet the Frontline doc about the NFL and their concussions and how they treat injured players was harrowing. Children especially should not be encouraged to play the game.

Nicolle was definitely nervous and hardly spoke, but I guess that is to be expected since the other 3 have so much more live television experience than her, especially when it comes to just being themselves and not just talking about their particular area of expertise.

[CathinAZ]

Chicago it's said:

"No blue cards! No cross-talk! No tantrums, or Bachelorette, or 40somethings acting like teenyboppers. No selfies, or wall of photos, or gushing Twitter feed! That's what I liked."

I haven't watched the show yet, but that brings a big smile to my face!

(how does the quote feature work? I'm perplexed so resort to the old "cut and paste")

[Athena]

(how does the quote feature work? I'm perplexed so resort to the old "cut and paste")

 

Use the quotation mark icon on the lower right corner of a post. For more information, see How do I quote a post? Hope this helps!

[RogerFromOhio]

Chicago it's said:

"No blue cards! No cross-talk! No tantrums, or Bachelorette, or 40somethings acting like teenyboppers. No selfies, or wall of photos, or gushing Twitter feed! That's what I liked."

I haven't watched the show yet, but that brings a big smile to my face!

(how does the quote feature work? I'm perplexed so resort to the old "cut and paste")

There are little quotation marks at the bottom left corner of each post..... beside the like and report button..... click that and the quote is put in a box like the one above :)

[bannana]

  And the sound seemed very tinny - almost sounded like they were doing an outside on-location show.  I'm wondering if it's the acoustics in the new studio.

Yes, something was off with the sound!  I didn't mind the chairs and table so much, but I noticed that Nicole always had her head doing a sharp right turn toward Whoopi, and that was not so much the case with the old set-up, it wasn't so obvious.

[Vinyasa]

If they want new life in this show, they need lose the taped Friday shows.

 

Anyone know if Friday's will be live?

[Morbs]

Also, is ABC using that Taylor Swift song to promote every show? They played it like 100 times. And would someone point out that Taylor Swift never shakes things off but hold grudges against every ex-boyfriend, Kanye West, even Tina Fey.

[ginger90]

The show wasn't awful. Is that a compliment? I'm not too sure, LOL!

One thing I was hoping for was for them to keep the big table and only use the big table. They always look awkward otherwise. Adding the coffee table  didn't help.

The opening with Barbara was a bit surprising but not in a good way.

I'll need more than just one show with no guests(except Kristin) to have an opinion on anything else.

Edited September 15, 2014 by ginger90

[maggiemae]

Actually later in the show I saw some (pale) blue cards. But they weren't holding them to their noses in a death grip, thankfully.

 

I liked it from the very beginning.....no walking, dancing, strutting, high fiving out...they were already at the table and just sat down....and no real dancing waiting for the audience to calm down. And a plain background.

 

That short little table has to go....when they would flash a photo in back people's heads were cut off.

 

Appreciated the lack of crosstalk. We'll see on that. I thought some of their criticisms of actors, directors, pro athletes that were once in trouble really annoyed each other.

 

Appreciated that none of them tried out standup jokes or tried to get all the attention.

 

I'm thinking with Kristin there for a tribute to Rivers they are saving a tribute to Robin until Billy Crystal is on this Fri.

[Armchair Critic]

I find Rosie O'Donnell awkward, like she is the school bully that everyone humors because they are afraid of her. The Republican host doesn't seem to stand a chance.

[fl2dc]

I agree, Vinyasa about live Fridays! Enough with the pre-taped stuff!

 

Oh Babs, just couldn't stay away. That was sad and lame. 

 

I felt today's show was tense and awkward. It really felt like a brand new show. I do think they were coached on being respectful with one another and no cross-talk. Oh, and Rosie O almost seemed like a co-moderator to me, although maybe it's my own perception since I last remember her in the moderator's role.

 

Also agree on the sound seeming very low. It's almost as if the audience isn't there. I do like the new set though, it's pretty. 

 

Rosie O, keep your feet on the floor and out of your hands! Gross! Sciatica or not. That was embarrassing and unprofessional. 

[SunFun]

I want this to work. I think it will eventually. First show jitters and getting use to all the changes showed, but that should go away. Tweeking is needed, but that will be done as is done with all new adventures. Relaxed humor will come to balance the serious. Not silliness, but humor. After all, two comic pros sit on the panel.  *Fingers crossed*. Wish them well.

 

No more Barbara, please. That was such ass-kissing nonsense. No more Ro vs Ro. Raise the coffee table, or bring back the table. Spend more time on each topic. Fewer topics, if need be.

 

Whoopie seemed relaxed, happy, and more engaged. But, her too-high heels made it hard to sit comfortably. Rosie O. is so aware of everything. I could see her brain working, and moving things along or making sure certain info was covered. Smart television pro. Rosie P. brought it for me today. When she said something on a topic, I was interested. I've seen Nicole way more articulate and engaged. She's a very tolerable Republican, btw. The opposite of the screeching Hasselbeck.

 

The View has me back. Don't muck it up.

[Dissy]

I thought they are off to a good start.  There was a freshness that hasn't been around for years.  Four women with brains, what a concept.

The show was such an improvement over the last few years. Considering this was their first time as a group, I thought they were okay. I'm sure the chemistry will come. I am looking forward to the rest of the season.

I also teared up at the tribute to Joan Rivers.

[Stacee]

So so so many people have said what I have been feeling about today's show, so please bear with me.

Awkward bits, but a HUGE improvement over the last couple years IMO.

 

No blue cards!  No cross-talk!  No tantrums, or Bachelorette, or 40somethings acting like teenyboppers.  No selfies, or wall of photos, or gushing Twitter feed!  That's what I liked.

 

Too serious, all heavy topics coming right out of the gate.  Nicolle not saying a word in the first half hour when discussing any topic other than politics.  Nicolle describing herself with her first words as "The Republican."  (As awkward as any other woman describing herself as "The Black," "The Lesbian," or "The Latina."  C'mon.)  Some initial rough spots.  That's what I didn't like.

 

On the whole, I am impressed enough to keep tuning in and watch them evolve.

Agree on all points. Was nice not to see the cards; the show seemed less scripted.

Wallace coming out of the gate saying she's a Republican annoyed me. Maybe she was nervous or something but people that identify themselves based on their political party is just dumb to me. There are dozens of other things to say when introducing yourself, why she mentioned that first seemed odd.

 

Whatever they did that I did or didn't especially like today, the show was still a 100% improvement over the few last shows from the previous season that I forced myself to watch.  It will take some time for them to try a few things and toss them and try some others.  I thought the "game show" thing was a vehicle to get to know Rosie P and do a big audience give away, the give away, is a sign that Ro is back. ;)

 

I felt the same way; even though the show had a clunky feel, it was still wayyyyy better than it has been the last few years. Even Whoopi seemed alert and happy.

The game show was alright; but it still had an unnatural feel. That was surprising to me because that is one of Rosie's strengths. Perhaps the addition of Rosie P is what threw it off...??? 

 

 

Anyway, just chiming in to say it was just...OK.  They all seemed so overly cautious with each other, and it struck me as kind of boring, but perhaps they just need to gel and relax a bit.  Yeah, they managed to discuss their topics, but this is The View - we're all so accustomed to the trainwreck, and

 

Still not grooving on the two Rosies.  Rosie P's voice has always annoyed me, and I think once she gets comfortable and her energy level goes up, it's going to be really disturbing.  Rosie O is Rosie O.  Not my fav, but will give her another shot in this remake.  Would have loved to hear Nicolle comment on the latest Palin kerfluckle of Todd's b-day party/rumble complete with Bristol throwing right punches.

Yes, that are good words to use: overly cautious. The show was not smooth, it was stilted. Maybe they are just feeling one another out. Reminds me of early episodes of certain shows I've watched -where actors/actresses don't have that natural vibe with one another. But by the second season, their lines seem more natural and believable. I am sure they will get better.

 

I also agree about Rosie Perez; initially I was not too impressed with her being chosen because sometimes her voice grates on me. She tends to get nervous and you can hear it. After today, I gotta say I think she did well - or at least better than I thought. Loved her Beyonce treadmill story, that had me laughing.

 

I will be watching tomorrow. Gaw; haven't said that in a lonnnngggg time....

[kathybgd]

I haven't watched yet, but reading here sounds like 50/50. You know, the table vs. couch, the sound, the games etc, they will just have to do some tweaking. I,m sure they'll find the right balance. But Oh dear LORD! Please NO MORE Barbra!

[Jaded]

This might sound like a crazy comparison at first but I'm hoping you all will bear with me. I watch Big Brother and this past season on Big Brother Canada there was a girl on there who had a voice that annoyed most everyone at first but she was so kind and was getting picked on by others so it was hard for me at least to rag on her voice especially since I have my own weird one to deal with. Anyway after watching the show and the feeds for awhile people accepted her voice more because they were watching her daily and because she seemed to be a genuinely good person and I'm hoping that will be the case with Rosie P eventually. 

They said on the show that they are trying things out and that stuff may change in the future so maybe if they get enough feedback about the table and etc. they might end up going back to the larger sit down table. I'm willing to give the current setup a chance for a bit to see how it goes and what kind of seating they bring out for interviews. Nothing can be worse than that ugly ass couch they had been using the past few years. 

Edited September 15, 2014 by Jaded

[bannana]

I just remembered another weird thing. When Nicolle said she is a republican, Ro said to the audience that she liked her, she really truly liked her, and then she said:  it's all real this year, everything's true, if we say it, it's true.

 

The implication being that in prior years, when they said they all loved each other, they really didn't.

 

I think that if they needed BaWa in the opening, they should have skipped the lame bit, and just had her addressing the audience about the changes to the show, with no attempt at humour.

 

As we could have predicted, Whoopi was going down the road defending the football player who used a switch on his four year old, that left cuts etc, they showed the picture.  It was only when Ro said that he had cuts to his scrotum etc, that she backed down.  So that didn't surprise me, but I thought Ro said in her interview recently that they were going to have all the facts of the topics they were discussing, and it seemed like Whoopi didn't know that fact and then dialed it back.

 

Re the couch, there was set behind the main set with an L shaped couch and I guess that is where the interviews will happen.

[stillbored]

 

Rosie O, keep your feet on the floor and out of your hands! Gross! Sciatica or not. That was embarrassing and unprofessional.

At one point the camera even zoomed in on feet. I don't care that she was sitting cross legged but maybe she could wear socks (ones that are as fun as Whoopi's shoes).

[Bronzedog]

I thought it was very low energy and they all seemed to be on a first date. Trying to think of things to say to each other but feeling awkward with each other. Liked the Joan Rivers tribute though. Just thought my head was going to explode from boredom way before they got there.

[Vinyasa]

even though the show had a clunky feel

 

"Clunky" describes it perfectly. They need to bring back the big table. Felt like they were almost hunched over.

[CathinAZ]

Ok, I like the set, looking at the colors and design makes me happy. Cohosts look more comfy sitting chairs than those old stools.

The violence discussion was heavy but left you thinking and was informative - hurrah! Impressed with Nicole's comments on the violence discussion, also with what Rosie P. said (I didn't know Mandela was a boxer!)

Appreciated Nicole's comments and perspective on Iowa and that discussion.

There have been some comments about Rosie P.'s voice - geez, if it bothers that much don't watch the show. She has a strident nasal tone that she often uses when acting, but her voice was fine today.

There was a shot of the set in between commercials that showed only Whoopie and Nicole sitting up there and both of them were looking straight ahead...wierd that they weren't chatting or interacting with each other.

Nicole's "republican" input was light, anecdotal stuff, but I hope she will eventually provide a strong Republican voice so that good discussions and debates will be a part of future shows.

Rosie Ps 3 palin questions were funny! ( "did the winking get on your nerves?" Hah!)

Had never heard the song Chenowith sang...lovely and sweet tribute to Joan and cohosts were feeling it.

Overall, learned some stuff, felt cohosts were being genuine, high hopes for the show as things settle in and evolve.