In what can only be described as a long-awaited move, ABC’s CEO has officially pulled the plug on The View, the daytime talk show that has been a staple of heated debates, fiery exchanges, and countless eye rolls for nearly three decades. With a tone of both exasperation and relief, the CEO announced the decision in a press conference that seemed more like a therapy session for a network tired of dealing with constant controversy.

“It’s finally time to cancel The View,” the CEO said, looking more relaxed than ever. “We’ve survived 28 seasons of this madness, but enough is enough. It’s been a tough call, but honestly, it might be the easiest decision we’ve made all year.”

With those words, one of the most divisive and dramatic talk shows in American history is officially off the air

The View debuted in 1997 as a groundbreaking concept—a group of women from diverse backgrounds sitting around a table to discuss current events, politics, and pop culture. It was intended to represent a variety of perspectives and stimulate meaningful conversation. Instead, it became a battleground where opinions collided, and viewers watched in morbid fascination as co-hosts traded barbs and thinly veiled insults. 

From Barbara Walters to Whoopi Goldberg, the show has cycled through dozens of co-hosts, each bringing their own flavor of drama. Who could forget Rosie O’Donnell’s fiery departure, Meghan McCain’s endless rants, or Joy Behar’s legendary on-air meltdowns? Over the years, The View became known less for its thought-provoking conversations and more for its near-daily shouting matches.

“Honestly, it’s like watching an argument at Thanksgiving dinner, but without the pumpkin pie to make it bearable,” one long-time viewer said. “I used to tune in for the discussions, but now I just watch to see who will storm off set first.”

Despite—or perhaps because of—the constant controversy, The View maintained high ratings for years. But as the country’s political climate became more polarized, so did the show, and it was clear that something had to give. Even fans began to feel fatigued by the constant tension.

“The last few seasons felt more like therapy sessions for the hosts than actual discussions,” one former fan commented. “I’d watch for five minutes and feel like I needed to lie down. It’s been exhausting.”

ABC’s decision to cancel The View didn’t come out of nowhere. In fact, insiders say the network had been considering pulling the plug for years, but the show’s popularity—and its ability to generate headlines—kept it alive.

That all changed when, in the last few years, the show’s tone became even more combative. The final straw, according to sources close to the network, came earlier this year when co-host Meghan McCain stormed off the set during yet another heated political debate. Her departure, though not uncommon on The View, symbolized the ongoing frustration of both the viewers and the network.

“It was one thing when people were tuning in for thoughtful debates, but lately it’s been nothing but screaming matches,” an ABC executive said. “We couldn’t keep pretending it was ‘healthy dialogue.’ It was like a soap opera, but without the fun plot twists.”

Whoopi Goldberg and Joy Behar, the show’s remaining heavyweights, have been carrying the panel for years, but even their legendary patience seemed to be wearing thin. Both have expressed frustration with the increasingly hostile atmosphere on the show, with Goldberg once famously remarking, “I didn’t sign up for this every day.”

“The View was supposed to be a place where women could have intelligent, nuanced conversations,” Goldberg said in an interview last year. “Instead, we’re just yelling over each other, and I think the audience is as tired of it as we are.”

ABC’s CEO echoed these sentiments during the cancellation announcement. “It’s become clear that the format no longer works. We want to give our viewers a show they can enjoy without feeling like they’ve just witnessed a cage match.”

As expected, the cancellation of The View has sparked mixed reactions from its co-hosts. Whoopi Goldberg, a veteran of the show, took the news in stride, reportedly quipping, “Well, at least now I won’t need to get up so early every day.”

Joy Behar, always the outspoken one, offered a more fiery response. “Cancel The View? Please. It’ll be back in a year when they realize how boring daytime TV is without me.”

Sunny Hostin and Sara Haines, the other current co-hosts, were reportedly more subdued, expressing sadness at the show’s end but acknowledging that it may have run its course. “It’s bittersweet,” Hostin said in a brief statement. “But maybe it’s time for all of us to take a step back and reevaluate what daytime TV should be.”

The reactions from former co-hosts have been equally varied. Meghan McCain, who became a polarizing figure during her time on the show, tweeted, “Guess they couldn’t handle it without me. Go figure.” Rosie O’Donnell, never one to miss an opportunity to gloat, responded with a simple, “Told ya so.”

With The View now officially in the rearview mirror, the big question is: What will replace it? ABC’s CEO hinted that the network is already planning a new direction for its daytime lineup, but details remain scarce.

“There’s definitely a space for meaningful conversations in daytime TV,” the CEO said. “But we need something fresh—something that doesn’t feel like it’s stuck in the same, tired formula. We want to bring in new voices, new perspectives, and create a show that people can actually enjoy watching.”

Rumors are already swirling that ABC is eyeing a more lighthearted, lifestyle-focused program to fill The View’s time slot. Some insiders suggest the network is considering a talk show with a rotating panel of celebrity guests, while others believe the next big thing in daytime TV might focus on food, fashion, and wellness, with less emphasis on political drama.

One thing’s for sure: whatever comes next, it’ll be a far cry from the daily shouting matches of The View.

As The View enters its final season, fans are left to ponder what the show’s legacy will be. For some, it will always be remembered as a groundbreaking platform for women to express their opinions on important issues. For others, it will go down as a show that lost its way, becoming more about conflict than conversation.

But whether you loved it or hated it, there’s no denying that The View left a mark on daytime television. And as the curtains close on this long-running show, ABC is betting that viewers are ready for something new—something a little quieter, a little friendlier, and maybe just a little less exhausting.