Rosie O'Donnell announced plans to return to "The View" for its 30th-anniversary season, citing past tensions with co-host Whoopi Goldberg as a reason for her previous infrequent appearances.
During an interview on "The Tangle" podcast, O'Donnell revealed that she had been invited to return to the show. She described a "tense time" with Goldberg during her last appearance, explaining that she had hoped for a dynamic akin to Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen, but it did not materialize. O'Donnell suggested Goldberg may have felt "encroached upon."
"She's a woman who supports women, as am I," O'Donnell said. "And so, I will go on the 30th anniversary this year and be on in whatever way they want me — just as a guest, you know. They're bringing back all the hosts, I think, for the 30th season."
O'Donnell recalled a specific instance where she mistakenly signaled for a commercial break while Goldberg was still speaking, which resulted in Goldberg becoming "very upset."
Despite the past friction, O'Donnell stated that she and Goldberg have moved past the tension and that she did not want to make the experience awkward. She expressed pride in "The View" and its impact.
The ABC talk show is currently navigating an FCC investigation regarding its treatment of political candidates. ABC has petitioned the FCC to reclassify "The View" as a "bona fide" news program, a status it held in 2002, which would exempt it from equal time rules. The network argues that government interference in programming decisions would violate First Amendment principles.