The hits kept coming for ABC News’ The View during their 2025 summer hiatus. In the Monday release of his Club Random podcast, comedian Bill Maher was sitting down with actress Drew Barrymore discussing life, the industry pressure, and online cancel culture when Maher brought up how problematic The View was for women and for discussing politics. The criticism came at a wrought time for the show as rumors of cancelation and reports of executive pressure to tone down their political discussions swirled.
Barrymore was trying to coax Maher to travel to New York to be on her show when he mentioned that he’s traveled there to do The View before. He didn’t seem to have the most enthusing experience with the liberal ladies:
BARRYMORE: Well, you should come to New York.
MAHER: But next time I’m in New York –
BARRYMORE: I’ll show you New York. It’s really fun.
MAHER: Oh. Like – look –
BARRYMORE: It’s great.
MAHER: I’m friendly with some of the ladies on The View and I love them, but like – I would do – that show’s a lot.
The actress interrupted to note that View co-host Joy Behar was on her show once and Behar was surprised by the freedom Barrymore had. “She literally had the best time. She’s like, ‘what the fuck is going on, here? No one comes to stop us?’ I’m like, ‘Yeah, it’s a playground.’ It’s so chill and fun. I didn’t want to do anything tropey,” Barrymore pitched her show to Maher.
While lightly shaking his head, Maher kept the topic on The View and shared his frustration with how things were conducted there. “I love Whoopi and Joy – those are the two I really know – and I did it like a year ago. And I liked everybody, but like, I don’t know if they’re really – at this moment, the best advertisement for women,” Maher lamented.
“They say somethings that are just, like, not helpful, like, say to elections,” he added.
What Maher was referring to was his May 21, 2024 appearance when he and Behar got into it over her refusal to be honest with ABC viewers about the shortcomings of then-President Biden:
BEHAR: I'm nervous about saying anything against Biden because I feel, not that I have so much power and you have some more than I do obviously, but --
MAHER: oh, I don't know about that.
BEHAR: Are you afraid that you might influence the people who are on the fence?
Maher even pointed out that not being honest with your audience was how one lost credibility. “I think you lose all credibility. I do,” he argued. “My bond with my audience has always been I don't pull a punch. My bond with my audience is you're not going to like everything I say but you know I'm saying what I really think is true.”
In late June, Maher also floated the idea that Democrats should stop appearing on The View because they've gotten so crazy.
[H/T Daily Caller's Jason Cohen]
