Star Jones Reynolds Erased From ‘View’

NEW YORK (June 30, 2006) — Star Jones Reynolds was booted from “The View” on Wednesday.

And now, ABC is sounding off on why the decision was made so abruptly.

As Access Hollywood was the first to reporton Monday, Star was planning to leave the show, and Tuesday, she surprised ABC and Barbara Walters by saying on the air that she wouldn’t be returning to the daytime talk show in the fall.

Reynolds was quickly erased from the show’s opening credits, now down to three women from the usual five.

“It is becoming uncomfortable for us to pretend that everything is the same at this table,” show creator Walters said. “Therefore, regrettably, Star will no longer be on this program.”

ABC had decided against renewing Reynolds’ contract months ago and the show was planning to let Reynolds announce it later this week, according to Walters. Reynolds could say whatever she wanted to about why she was leaving, “and we would back her up,” the longtime ABC newswoman said.

Instead, Walters said she felt blindsided when Reynolds broke the news Tuesday, then was quoted in People magazine as saying she felt like she was fired.

“We gave her time to look for another job and hoped that she would announce it on this program and leave with dignity,” Walters said. “But Star made another choice.”

In a statement released to Access, ABC Daytime TV President Brian Frons opened up on the reason to move on without Star.

“This has been one of many changes that have been made over the show’s years with our hosts. The decision to end our working relationship with Star was a difficult one and made with great thought. The network and the show’s producers attempted to be compassionate towards Star in the timing and handling of this announcement. It is never our practice to initiate public discussions about private business matters but given what happened on air Tuesday and in learning of the People magazine interview, we felt we had to. It has been a difficult week for everyone but we don’t want any of that to take away from the fact that we greatly value Star’s contributions to the show over many years. She is a talented, professional woman and we wish her the best going forward.”

Reynolds’ spokesman did not return calls and e-mails seeking comment.

Walters didn’t discuss on the air why Reynolds, an original cast member who’s been on the show for nine years, wasn’t being asked back. She said in an interview Tuesday that research showed audience members were turned off by Reynolds’ dramatic weight loss and glitzy wedding to banker Al Reynolds in 2004.

Reynolds later retorted that TV ratings and her book sales indicated this wasn’t true.

“The View” is bringing on Rosie O’Donnell to replace Meredith Vieira in September, and the hunt is now on for Reynolds’ replacement. Walters said Reynolds may still appear on the show in recorded segments.

Copyright © 2024 by Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.

This material may not be republished, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Read More

‘90 Day Fiancé: Love In Paradise’ Returning With Dramatic & Wild New Season