A Week’s Worth of the View: Week 1

If you’ve noticed the nifty little new badge that states “I’m a The View Brand Ambassador”, you may have wondered what that wee widget means.  Basically, I was selected to participate in a program where I watch The View and share my thoughts about the show on my blog and in variety of social networks, such as Twitter and Mom Central.

Admittedly, it has been years since I watched The View.  Organizing my moms group and attending several play dates a week leaves little time for daytime television. My most recent knowledge of The View was from satirical sketches on Saturday Night Live.  But here was my opportunity “to take time to enjoy the View” and see what I’ve been missing all these years.

Unfortunately, I realized that I hadn’t missed much, but I did learn that the cast of SNL does a FANTASTIC job of impersonating the cast of The View and Kristen Wiig’s impersonation of Elisabeth Hasselbeck is spot on.

I tuned in Monday to hear all the Oscar buzz, but according The View’s panel, the award show was a bust.  Joy Behar called it “boring, stiff and constipated”, but she felt that Steve Martin and Alec Baldwin really complemented each other.  Although I missed the Oscars this year, it seemed that the two hosts worked well together based upon the highlights of the award show I watched on-line.

The panel also mentioned that Kathryn Bigelow (The Hurt Locker) won for Best Director and noted that she was the first female director to win.  I was surprised by this fact because I had sworn that Sophia Coppola won a few years ago for Lost in Translation, but later realized she won for Best Screenplay.  The ladies complained about the music that accompanied Ms. Bigelow’s exit off stage (I am Woman. Hear Me Roar). They felt the music selection was inappropriate and tacky, however, I disagree.  I found it funny and charming.  There are few female directors in the film industry and their work is rarely recognized with only four female directors ever being nominated. So good for you, Kathryn!  YOU ARE WOMAN!  It’s about time the Academy orchestrated a symphony for a woman’s roaring performance!

On Monday, they also touched upon the Oscar tribute to fallen stars, but how some stars were omitted from the tribute, such as Farrah Fawcett.  Since I hadn’t seen the Oscars, I didn’t understand the reference, but this Hot Topic would be discussed further later in the week.

On Wednesday, the ladies discussed the Oscars “In Memoriam” in more detail and shared their outrage with the stars that had been omitted.  I have to agree that the Academy committed a huge faux pas by not recognizing such stars as Bea Arthur, Richardo Montalban and Farrah Fawcett and their bodies of work.  I would much rather memorialize Kahn than the King of Pop.

The ladies briefly talked about the John Hughes tribute.  Elisabeth had been quite moved by the tribute and after watching the video on-line, I have to agree with her.  John Hughes films were our teenage anthem in the 80’s.

Also during the Hot Topics segment, Whoopi expressed her outrage with Shock Jock Howard Stern’s rude comments about Gabourey Sidibe, the star of Precious.  Stern’s comments suggested that Ms. Sidibe would not find any further work in
Hollywood due to her looks and size.  Whoopi was clearly more annoyed that Robin (Howard Stern’s sidekick) did not defend  Gabourey.  I also feel Howard Stern’s remarks were rude, but that’s Howard Stern’s schtick.  That’s what he does and he’s been doing it for years.  I don’t value his opinions any more than I value Rush Limbaugh’s opinions.

American Idol also came up during the Hot Topics piece on Wednesday’s show.  Joy commented on the judges being too “wacky” this season, particularly with Kara’s tearful reaction to St. Pete (Whoop! Whoop!) resident Michael Lynch’s performance of A Woman’s Work. I thought that Joy’s comments were wacky, because the original version by Kate Bush has moved me to tears on more than one occasion.  The lyrics in A Woman’s Work are so powerful, and like Kara said, when an artist connects with the words and the emotion of a song, that connection is felt by the audience.   So cry on, Kara and pass the Kleenex!

Joy also brought up “Boxershorts”, better known as Crystal Bowersox, and how she had “star quality”.  I definitely agree.  I believe Crystal out performed Tracey Chapman this week with her own rendition of Give Me One Reason.

Jesse Ventura appeared as a guest on Wednesday’s show to promote his new book, American Conspiracies. I had previously seen Jesse Ventura on the Today Show so I was familiar with his new book and his theories.  Truthfully, I don’t know if I necessarily believe all his theories, but I prefer to keep an open mind and entertain the idea of a great government conspiracy.  However, if I had only seen this interview, I would have been highly annoyed with the panel.  Those ladies wouldn’t shut up and let the man speak!  And if I only saw this one interview, I would have thought Jesse Ventura was a madman!   After a few short minutes, he appeared frazzled with wild flyaway hair and he soon resembled Riff Raff from The Rocky Horror Picture Show.

On Thursday’s show, tabloids were a Hot Topic more than once, because publications such as the National Enquirer are now eligible for a Pulitzer Prize.    From a journalist whose career spans over four decades, I sensed a sarcastic tone in Barbara’s voice.  She felt “checkbook journalism” would discredit real journalists.  Barry Levine, CEO of the National Enquirer, disagreed, of course.  He stated that his reporters check sources and facts before running stories and although their pieces may seem like fabrications, his publication has done an excellent job of reporting real news first, such as the Jonathan Edwards affair and the Tiger Woods sex scandal.

Real news or checkbook journalism, I honestly don’t see much worth in any tabloid.  Sure, I like to glance over the headlines while at the grocery line check-out, but I really don’t give those publications much more notice or credence than that.  Pulitzer Prize or not. Incidentally, I use a similar method when reading USA Today through the glass panel in corner newstand.

But then, I don’t see The View as real journalism either.  Maybe I should use this same method when watching The View?  I’ll just pay attention to the Hot Topic headlines and nothing more. There’s not much substance beyond that.

And now for the legal mumbo jumbo…

“I am a participant in a Mom Central campaign for ABC Daytime and will receive a tote bag or other The View branded items to facilitate my review.”