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The View Brings Politics to Daytime TV

Goodbye, celebrity gossip, recipes—hello, health care, gay marriage

By Evann Gastaldo, Newser Staff

Posted Feb 8, 2010 10:47 AM CST

(Newser) – The View is bringing politics to the daytime talk show, once the realm of cooking tips and fashion advice. Discussion of topics like health care is "one of the reasons I watch it," an audience member tells the Los Angeles Times. "When they do the fashion stuff, I tune out." Washington has also taken notice: "The View is definitely a show that makes it on to the agenda of staff meetings when you're doing strategic planning," says a strategist.

The show started to turn political during the 2006-07 season, when Rosie O'Donnell famously clashed with Elisabeth Hasselbeck over the Iraq war. By the 2008 presidential race, when John McCain was grilled by the co-hosts, The View had become a bona fide water-cooler topic, and now the ladies regularly welcome guests like Rudy Giuliani and Mike Huckabee. As the producer points out, "We live in a time when politicians are as big, if not bigger, than movie stars."

[Images (3)]

[Videos (1)]

In this photo provided by ABC, co-host Joy Behar, left, watches as former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich makes a point as his wife Patti listens, on the set of "The View," Sept. 9, 2009 in New York. (AP Photo/ABC, Steve Fenn)

In this image released by ABC, Republican presidetial candidate Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., listens as host Barbara Walters speaks with Cindy McCain during "The View," Sept. 12, 2008, in New York. (AP Photo/ABC, Steve Fenn)

This handout photo provided by ABC shows Michelle Obama, wife Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., third from left, on the set of "The View," June 18, 2008 in New York. (AP Photo/ABC, Steve Fenn)

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The View started to get political when Rosie O'Donnell and Elisabeth Hasselbeck locked horns, more than once, during the 2006-07 season--ultimately leading to O'Donnell quitting the show. (Picarego)

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The View Brings Politics to Daytime TV