Q: Why did ABC fire Barbara Walters and Bill Geddie as executive producers of “The View?”
—Jean Wilson, Decatur
A: Walters, who along with Geddie, created "The View" in 1997, retired as a co-host in May, but she was backstage at the season premiere on Sept. 15. "I've called her at least three times a week since I got the job," new executive producer Bill Wolff told the New York Daily News.Walters' and Geddie's departures were part of a shakeup as "network executives look to completely 'refresh' the show," the paper reported.
The changes included the departures of co-hosts Sherri Shepherd and Jenny McCarthy, the addition of new co-hosts Nicolle Wallace, Rosie Perez and Rosie O’Donnell, a new logo, a new studio and a new set. Geddie’s exit was rumored for months and the Daily News reported in July that he would leave if O’Donnell returned to the show. Geddie, who is a partner with Walters in BarWall Productions, and O’Donnell didn’t get along during her first stint on the show from 2006 to 2007. O’Donnell’s presence helped “The View” gain its highest premiere rating in eight years, with 3.9 million viewers on Sept. 15.
Q: Did Joan Rivers have an operation prior to her death?
—Eddie Webster, Douglasville
A: Rivers was undergoing an endoscopy and an ear, nose and throat specialist was in the operating room at Manhattan's Yorkville Endoscopy, where she went into cardiac arrest on Aug. 28. The 81-year-old comedian couldn't be revived and died after being taken off life support at Mount Sinai Hospital on Sept. 4.
Andy Johnston wrote this column. Do you have a question about the news? We’ll try to get the answer. Call 404-222-2002 or email q&a@ajc.com (include name, phone and city).
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