How Did ‘The View’ Address Whoopi Goldberg’s Absence After Suspension?
Whoopi Goldberg has been facing severe backlash after her comments about the Holocaust on The View. The EGOT legend apologized on-air for what she said but ABC News still suspended her for two weeks from the show. After the news of her absence, fans tuned in to the talk show to see how they would handle Goldberg’s temporary exit and it was really awkward.
What happened after Whoopi Goldberg was suspended?
It’s been a hectic week on The View and Goldberg’s absence from the episode that aired on Wednesday, Feb. 2 was apparent. Whenever Goldberg is not at the “Hot Topics” table, Joy Behar takes over as the moderator. With the Sister Act star out of the show, Behar had the word to present the topics of debate. Behar started at the top of the hour addressing the controversial suspension really quick.
“You all saw the news, Whoopi will be back here in two weeks. OK,” Behar said.
There was no more that was said about Goldberg’s sudden exit. Behar proceeded to present Tara Setmayer at the table who is co-hosting all week long.
What did Whoopi Goldberg say that got her suspended?
It was a controversial week on The View when the panelists discussed books that were being banned at schools. Goldberg shared an opinion on the graphic novel “Maus” about a Holocaust survivor that landed her in the middle of controversy.
“Let’s be truthful about it because [the] Holocaust isn’t about race,” Goldberg said on the show on Monday, Jan. 31. “It’s not about race. It’s about man’s inhumanity to man.”
Goldberg’s comments were perceived as being anti-semitic and social media denounced her remarks. By the end of the day, the Sister Act star would release an apology on Twitter.
“On today’s show, I said the Holocaust ‘is not about race, but about man’s inhumanity to man.’ I should have said it is about both,” read the statement. “As Jonathan Greenblatt from the Anti-Defamation League shared, ‘The Holocaust was about the Nazi’s systemic annihilation of the Jewish people — who they deemed to be an inferior race.’ I stand corrected.”
ABC announces 2-week suspension for Whoopi Goldberg
Goldberg would address the controversy back on The View on Tuesday, Feb. 1, acknowledging once again she “misspoke.” The show’s moderator went on to say that her words “upset so many people” and that was never her intention.
“I understand why now, and for that I am deeply, deeply grateful because the information I got was really helpful, and it helped me understand some different things,” she added.
However, even after Goldberg apologized, ABC News President Kim Goodwin decided to suspend the star for two weeks.
“Effective immediately, I am suspending Whoopi Goldberg for two weeks for her wrong and hurtful comments. While Whoopi has apologized, I’ve asked her to take time to reflect and learn about the impact of her comments. The entire ABC News organization stands in solidarity with our Jewish colleagues, friends, family, and communities,” read the statement posted on Twitter.
The View airs weekday mornings at 11 a.m. ET and 10 a.m. PT/CT on ABC.
