"The View" can be saved. It could morph into a more service-oriented "Ellen" for AM viewers. Here's how I would reinvent this show.
Create chemistry, both among the 4 hosts and between the hosts and the guests (many of whom are real "gets" but being wasted). How do do this? Lean into everyone else's strengths, instead of circling around their weaknesses with seeming intent to attack.
For example, the 3 other hosts can support Rosie in her need to be offbeat, ranging on outrageous. The next time Rosie gets up to sing and dance with the Keebler elf, the other 3 and the rest of the guests should do a conga line around the Rosie act.
When Barbara Walters gets really businesslike, the 3 other hosts and a guest can start discussing business issues. This will make Walters shine and when she shines others seem to do well too.
Embrace controversy. Yes, "The View" discusses controversial issues such as Nancy Grace's grilling of the mother of the missing child. The mother later committed suicide. But where was Nancy Grace or her producer on the show?
Larry King has the person of controversy as a guest, usually that very night. On "The View," 1 or more of the 4 will say something about inviting the Bigfoot being heavily deconstructed in the media but where is the "get."
Acknowledge the dark side of the show. Ratings would explode and the chemistry (see 1 above) on the show would improve if items of discussion included the existence of human emotions such as envy and greed among co-hosts. Maybe Dr. Phil can be invited on to help the 4 hosts manage these emotions.
Why do you care so much about The View?
Posted by: Grace | September 30, 2006 at 08:25 PM