‘The View’ Fans React After ABC Airs Conclave to Choose New Pope Instead

Amanda Bell
20 Comments
Joy Behar on THe View
ABC

The View fans may have been quite surprised to find that instead of seeing their favorite cohosts take the stage to talk about the latest “Hot Topics” during the usual 11 a.m. ET hour on ABC this Wednesday (May 7), the network was busy airing special coverage of the papal conclave underway in Vatican City. ABC News’ David Muir anchored the live coverage of a series of international cardinals taking the oath for the proceedings to name a new pope following the death of Pope Francis.

“I can read about conclave processes in my Time magazine. I want to watch The View,” one fan of the show wrote on X (formerly Twitter) of the interruption. Added another, “Although I appreciate the #Conclave2025 #Conclave process, I really want to watch @TheView view right now. It takes so long for @hulu to make today’s show available to watch. Won’t be able to see it actually until tomorrow. #TheView.”

The View was initially expected to air live on Wednesday’s show, with cohosts Whoopi Goldberg, Sara Haines, Joy Behar, Sunny Hostin, and Alyssa Farah Griffin joined by two celebrity guests: actor Josh Duhamel, star of Netflix’s Ransom Canyon, and former The View cohost Star Jones, talking about women’s heart disease.

However, ABC News announced special coverage plans on Tuesday (May 6). Joining Muir for the special coverage were anchors Linsey Davis and Joe Torres, correspondents James Longman, Terry Moran, and  Maggie Rulli, reporters Ine de la Cuetara, Patrick Revell, and Liz Nagy and contributors Father Jim Martin, Father John Wauck, and Helen Alvare. ABC News promised to cover “all voting session smoke releases until a new pop is announced.”

'The View': Whoopi Goldberg Demands New Pope Follow Pope Francis' Legacy
Related

'The View': Whoopi Goldberg Demands New Pope Follow Pope Francis' Legacy

The good news for fans is that they won’t actually have to wait to see the broadcast; as of this season, the show posts full episodes of its telecast on its YouTube channel, usually in the mid-afternoon after its live airing.

Plus, although The View was preempted by the news side’s special conclave coverage, the show continues to thrive at the network. ABC announced on Tuesday (May 6) that the show saw year-to-year increases in all target demographics and posted gains in total viewers in the last 14 weeks.

The View, weekdays, 11 a.m. ET, ABC

The View key art

Don’t Miss Any Co-host Chaos

Get absolutely everything about The View in your inbox!

ABC

Talk Show

1997–

TV14

Talk

Where to Stream

Latest Headlines

More The View ›
The View



Conversation20 Comments

Please read the TV Insider Community Guidelines.

Comments are closed on this story.

  1. G

    GoldCorn

    I’m not a Catholic. But why would you not want to watch history instead of 4-5 cackling hens complain about something! Probably the same old stuff anyway

    Sorry fans

    40 9

    1. O

      OliveBandAid

      Because it's secret. It's like watching paint dry. Not like they announced the next Pope.

      9 2

    2. R

      RedFlask

      I LOVE those cackling hens! ❤️ 😂

      2 9

    3. C

      CyanFish

      You are pathetic. They only have millions of viewers each day

      1. R

        RedBowtie

        You live a sad existence

        1

  2. B

    BlueBandAid

    The View is garbage and should be cancelled.

    26 10

  3. P

    PurpleDucky

    Way to go ABC! Keep on preempting The View

    17 5

  4. O

    OlivePlanet

    I'm not catholic. It's history, but tell us when they decide, and move on.

    10 2

    1. P

      PurpleBlowdryer

      Pope Leo the XIV from Chicago

  5. B

    BlueSword

    I would rather watch paint dry than watch the view

    11 4

  6. B

    Blue8Ball

    Not everyone is interested in the selection of the new Pope

    10 3

    1. B

      BlueBandAid

      And very few can tolerate The View any more!!

      11 4

  7. G

    GoldBlowdryer

    It’s not that drastic. You can catch rerun of the View on YouTube and bonus is minus commercials.

    7

  8. O

    OrangeFries

    Guess the network figured the folks covering the Vatican wouldn't cost them 800 Million dollars for defamation.

    7 1

  9. C

    CyanFish

    ABC the only network that interrupts regular programming so often...sick & tired of them doing that!! Mainly (The View) umh

    9 4

  10. P

    PurpleBlowdryer

    Pope Leo XIV

    You can resume rabid pig watching tomorrow.

    1

  11. G

    GreenRocket

    People actually watch the View?

    2 1

  12. R

    RedCoffee

    Anytime is better than the view

    1

  13. G

    GoldRing

    I found the Oath taking very reassuring, considering how lightly US government officials, in the current administration take their commitment.

    The View has been pre-empted, a great number of times, in the Boston area, by a murder retrial! I don't understand why the local ABC affiliate has made this decision.

  14. R

    RedFlask

    I am jobless, but I’m retired you POC! Whatever that means 🤷🏻‍♀️

    2