You’re forgive if you forgot that Jenny McCarthy was ever a panelist on The View.
The infamous anti-vaxxer didn’t leave a major impression on the talk show… she was only there for one season… and the show has had approximately 769 panelists since the time she left.
But McCarthy sure is making headlines now in relation to her stint as a co-host.
In her comments featured in the book Ladies Who Punch: The Explosive Inside Story of The View, McCarthy explains why the atmosphere surrounding the show made her so miserable, honing in specifically on Barbara Walters.
And the story of a dirty tampon? Yes.
Scroll down to find out what McCarthy claims she went through as a member of The View’s constantly-rotating cast…
When the Heck was Jenny McCarthy on The View?
From 2013-14. She sat alongside Barbara Walters, Sherri Shepherd and Whoopi Goldberg as the main panel during her stint.
Did She Leave on Good Terms?
Not really. There was no explosive scandals or anything, but Shepherd announced her departure from the show and then McCarthy Tweeted: “If Sherri goes … I go too. My View will be changing too. As will with many hard working folks. Thanks to everyone at the show for your dedication and an amazing year.”
See Ya, J Mac!
The View chose not to renew McCarthy’s one-year contract and then simply said after she confirmed her departure: “The View will be moving in an exciting new direction next year, and ABC has made decisions to evolve the show creatively.” Not exactly lots of gratitude expressed by either side, you know?
And Now We Know Why
The book “Ladies Who Punch: The Explosive Inside Story of The View” comes out on April 2, 2019 and takes readers inside the show’s set. Excerpts have already been released, however, most of them featuring McCarthy’s very negative comments.
Juicy! What Did She Say?
“Every day I went home and I was miserable,†the former Playboy model admitted. “It really was the most miserable I’ve been on a job in my 25 years of show business.â€Â
Let’s Hear More, Right?
The main issue was Walters, McCarthy explained: “Imagine a woman like Barbara Walters. It’s her last year and she doesn’t want to leave. Think about that. And I’m the new bitch here.â€Â
She Was Brought on to Replace Elisabeth Hasselbeck and…
… “They did try to change me. They wanted Elisabth back and I wasn’t Elisabeth. I would literally have meetings before the show of them trying to input opinions in me to go against Whoopi. I was going to work crying. I couldn’t be myself. My fans were telling me, ‘Where’s Jenny? They aren’t letting you be you.’”
How Did This All Start?
McCarthy first appeared on The View in 2007 while promoting her book Louder Than Words: A Mother’s Journey in Healing Autism. In this book, she argues that her autistic son Evan’s health improved through a gluten-free diet and with behavioral therapy.
There was Tension Right Away
“I walked into her dressing room and she blew up at me. She was screaming, ‘How dare you say this? That autism can be cured?’ My knees were shaking,†McCarthy recalled of Walters “I remember my whole body was shaking. … This lasted for about seven minutes. Finally, someone pulled me out of the room. I went back to my dressing room, not knowing what the f-ck to do. One of my heroes just chewed me a new a–hole and I’m going on live TV. I’m freaking the f-ck out.
Not Making It with Whoopi
“People don’t understand. Whoopi can knock over anyone in a debate. Her voice is strong not only in meaning but also in sound,†Jenny went on. “I was able to get a point out in three words, like, ‘I don’t agree’ — and that’s all I would be able to say. I would be stepped on or interrupted.”
Goldberg Was an… Addict?!?
“I wasn’t going to play a kiss-ass. To me, Whoopi had an addiction to controlling people’s thoughts, their words, the room, the table, your feeling, your mood. She had an addiction to controlling all of it and everybody.”
But Walters Remained the Worst
Walters supposedly had the final say about what McCarthy wore on air. “We would all show up in the makeup room. Barbara would check out what I was wearing. If she didn’t agree with it, or it didn’t complement her outfit, I had to change. Mind you, she doesn’t look at anyone’s clothes but mine,†McCarthy claimed, noting that Walters’ actions may possibly have been a form of flattery.
Huh? How So?
“She wanted to start dressing like me. There were times when she’d say ‘change’ and she’d make people run out and get that dress in her size. I was a human Barbie doll.”
Let’s Talk About the Tampon
Take it away, Jenny: “I don’t know what to do. She’s standing in the hallway where the guests are, yelling at me about a tampon. I don’t know. Maybe in her brain, she went, ‘I’m the youngest, newest person here, because obviously she has her period and left a tampon floating.’ This is Barbara Walters. I’m not going to yell at her. So finally, I said, ‘I’ll take care of it. I’ll take one for the team and I’ll flush it.’â€Â
Whoopi vs. Barbara
“There was a war between Barbara and Whoopi about Barbara wanting to moderate. This is one of the reasons I decided not to ally with Whoopi. It broke my heart when Barbara would shuffle to Whoopi and say, ‘Can I moderate, please?’ And Whoopi would say no. How can you do this to a woman who paved the way for so many female journalists?”
Just How Terrible Did It Get?
“When I’d hear the shuffle of her feet, I knew that Barbara was after me,†McCarthy recalls. “It would get faster. Oh my God — she’s coming! Based on the speed of the shuffle, I would hide or get on the phone.â€Â
So, Does She Despise Walters?
Not really. “Look at what Barbara did to me. I had zero hard feelings,†McCarthy says. “I loved her like a grandma. She didn’t know any better.â€Â