After more than 25 years of cultural relevance, celebrity feuds, and viral table talk, ABC’s The View is officially coming to an end. The network’s stunning announcement comes just weeks after Fox News personality Lisa “Kennedy” Montgomery dropped a bombshell on Gutfeld! — exposing a decades-old clash with longtime co-host Joy Behar and slamming the show as an “unwatchable abortion.” Now, with ratings plummeting, critics circling, and fan fatigue undeniable, ABC has finally pulled the plug, confirming that this fall will mark the final season of the once-iconic daytime panel.

Lisa Kennedy Blows the Lid Off a 2003 Audition Gone Wrong

The cancellation announcement came on the heels of Kennedy’s fiery segment on Gutfeld! on April 1, 2025, where she recalled a 2003 audition for The View that took a dramatic turn when she collided with Behar behind the scenes. At the time, Kennedy—then fresh from her MTV fame and a rising voice in libertarian circles—was in the running to replace departing co-host Lisa Ling.

According to Kennedy, the audition began well, with lively conversations and a warm welcome from Barbara Walters, Meredith Vieira, and Star Jones. But everything changed when Joy Behar, who had long cemented her place as the show’s resident comic, allegedly turned sour the moment Kennedy began drawing laughs from the panel.

“During the break,” Kennedy said on Gutfeld!, “Joy leaned in and snapped, ‘I’ll handle the comedy here.’” Unfazed, Kennedy fired back, “Great. Whenever you start, I’ll ease up on the jokes.”

That biting retort quickly went viral on X (formerly Twitter), with viewers praising Kennedy’s sharp tongue and confidence under pressure. One user wrote, “Kennedy owned her. Joy never recovered from that one.”

A Brewing Backstage Rivalry — and the Role of Elizabeth Hasselbeck

While Kennedy didn’t land the job—Elizabeth Hasselbeck ultimately did—many now speculate that the off-camera tension with Behar played a part in her dismissal. “Joy’s territorial—always has been,” an ABC insider told TV Line. “Kennedy clearly rattled her, and that may have been enough.”

Kennedy alleged that Behar, despite being billed as the show’s comic relief, relied heavily on comedy writers and still couldn’t deliver. “She’s not reacting, not thinking—just reciting. It’s stiff,” Kennedy quipped, mimicking Behar’s on-screen presence with brutal precision.

Behar’s camp has remained silent amid the firestorm, but the silence only fueled speculation. “Kennedy would have saved The View,” one fan posted. “Instead, we got years of angry shouting.”

The Ratings Collapse and America’s Growing Discontent

Kennedy’s scathing comments struck a chord with many viewers who feel The View has lost its way. Once a space for diverse female perspectives, the show in recent years has drawn criticism for descending into increasingly partisan rants. Behar’s repeated outbursts—many targeting conservatives, Donald Trump, and other Republican figures—have worn thin with key demographics.

Ratings have plummeted 15% since 2023, with viewership in flyover states dropping sharply. Middle America, once tolerant of the show’s political debates, now seems fatigued by the predictability of its rhetoric. “It’s just a daily pile-on,” one former fan told The Wrap. “There’s no balance, no room for discussion.”

Even younger viewers—the coveted 25–34 demographic—have abandoned the show, favoring political commentary on YouTube, Rumble, and late-night cable programs like Gutfeld!

Whoopi and Joy Say Goodbye — and ABC Says It’s “Time”

On April 30, ABC confirmed that The View would conclude with its current season. In a joint statement, the network praised the show’s legacy but acknowledged that the media landscape had shifted.

“The View has played a monumental role in shaping daytime television,” the statement read. “But after careful consideration, we believe the time has come to close this chapter and look toward new formats that reflect a changing audience.”

Both Whoopi Goldberg and Joy Behar, the show’s longest-standing and most iconic hosts, will exit alongside the show’s end. Insiders report that Behar’s contract was quietly not renewed, while Goldberg—rumored to be eyeing a return to scripted film—decided not to extend her deal.

Sources at ABC describe the vibe behind the scenes as “relieved,” with producers reportedly welcoming the opportunity to pursue fresh, less contentious programming.

Lisa Kennedy’s Legacy-Twisting Revelations

Though Kennedy may not have landed the seat two decades ago, her recent revelations have dramatically reshaped how many now view the show’s legacy. Her description of The View as an “unwatchable abortion” was jarring, but for many, it struck a chord. Thousands of users on social media voiced their agreement, with hashtags like #ViewOverdue and #KennedyWasRight trending nationally.

Kennedy’s viral moment didn’t just end in applause—it catalyzed public debate over how long The View could keep its format alive in a world demanding more civil, nuanced conversation.

Kennedy, now a staple at Fox News, has found a second wind in her career through appearances on Gutfeld! and her own media projects. She has yet to respond to Behar’s silence but has hinted that there’s more to come. “I’ve got stories,” she teased during an off-camera segment. “And America’s just getting warmed up.”

A New Era for ABC?

With The View now entering its final season, ABC executives are reportedly exploring several new projects for its coveted morning slot—including a return to more journalistically driven roundtables, wellness-themed talk shows, or possibly a collaboration with rising digital creators.

The end of The View marks the sunset of a cultural institution—but also an acknowledgment that America’s conversation has moved on.

Final Thoughts

The dramatic exit of The View, once a mainstay of daytime television, is more than the cancellation of a show—it’s the end of a media era. Lisa Kennedy Montgomery’s blistering critique pulled back the curtain on decades of tension, vanity, and unchallenged egos behind the scenes. And while Joy Behar and Whoopi Goldberg may be remembered as iconic voices of their time, it was Kennedy’s bold truth-telling that finally lit the fuse.

As the final episodes air, fans and critics alike will be watching to see how Behar addresses the backlash—if she does at all. But one thing’s for certain: when Lisa Kennedy told her story, the conversation about The View was never the same again.