Abby Huntsman Reveals More Details on Why She Left ‘The View’: ‘I Would so Badly Want to Scream’
Abby Huntsman had a seat at the “Hot Topics” table on The View alongside Whoopi Goldberg, Joy Behar, Sunny Hostin, and Meghan McCain in season 22. Exiting the daytime talk show in January 2020 to join her father’s campaign for governor, Huntsman later revealed that the on- and off-camera drama helped precipitate her departure. The former Fox News contributor just launched her own podcast and described The View in terms that sound very similar to McCain’s recent comments in her new book.
Abby Huntsman discussed ‘The View’ on her first podcast episode
McCain is making headlines this month for the release of her book “Bad Republican”, where she calls out The View for hypocrisy. Giving details of her time on the show, McCain revealed that the workplace atmosphere was damaging.
“The View is billed as being honest and open,” McCain said in her Audible book. “A space where women support — and respectfully challenge — each other. But the truth is that the environment of the show is toxic. … Soon after I returned, it hit me: I didn’t want to be a part of that, for myself, for my daughter and for women everywhere.”
On her new podcast, “I Wish Somebody Told Me“, Huntsman gave her “view” of the daytime talk show and made some assessments that seem to back up McCain’s statements. Huntsman alluded to unacceptable behavior being enabled for the sake of ratings.
“At that time there were executives in charge that I did feel like we were sort of players in their game,” Huntsman shared in the podcast, as reported by People. “And it was about money and it was about ratings and the tabloids. And in order to keep that show hot, you had to just let it all continue on. There wasn’t anyone helping me, protecting me. You would see people act in ways around you that was not okay.”
Abby Huntsman chose to take the high road while on ‘The View’
Huntsman shared McCain’s conservative perspective, though they were often outnumbered by their more liberal panelists. Often taking a more diplomatic approach when things got heated during on-air banter, Huntsman wanted to remain true to herself rather than take on some contrived antics for higher ratings.
“Even though I might have had more to say on the actual policy, because I’m not more bombastic or more extreme on it, it’s like, ‘Well Twitter’s not gonna care about that’,” The View alum explained. “How often I would sit there and I would so badly want to scream and say, ‘This is just — stop acting so insane sometimes.'”
Huntsman felt she was sidelined for being a courteous co-host. Despite voicing her concerns to show producers and lobbying for change, she never saw any positive adjustments made.
“There were times that I did feel on that show that because I tried to be gracious, I tried to just hold back, that you’re not rewarded for it,” she revealed, noting how she brought up the show’s tense environment to show executives. “Every single time they would look at me with a completely blank stare and essentially say, ‘You’re lucky to be here. This is the show.’ … they didn’t want it to change. Some of those people are gone now, for the best.”
‘The View’ alum’s exit was ‘the best decision’
When Huntsman was nearing the end of her time at The View table, she was reportedly prompted by executives to denounce rumors of discord on the show. When she refused the directive, Huntsman shared that an exec sent her a text saying, “That was a mistake.” Moments later, a tabloid article came out crediting anonymous sources for stating that Huntsman was going to be fired had she not quit.
“I was sad to leave them and I was sad to walk away,” Huntsman remarked. “But true to form and what made me feel even better about my decision was the way it was handled on the way out.”
The incident confirmed Huntsman’s choice to leave The View and she is now focused on new professional endeavors.
“In that moment I honestly I just kind of laughed,” she said. “The way that all went down gave me all the reassurance in the world that I made the best decision in the world for myself and for my family.”
“I Wish Somebody Told Me” is available on Apple Podcasts.
