Star Jones Reflects on Her Iconic ‘The View’ On-Air Exit & How It Shocked Barbara Walters

Star Jones, who has been guest cohosting The View this week in Whoopi Goldberg‘s stead, appeared alongside Joy Behar on the Behind the Table podcast to reflect upon her memorable exit from the show in 2006.

Jones, who was one of the series’ original stars, declared her intention to leave the show live on-air in a June 2006 episode, which reportedly shocked series creator Barbara Walters.

During Tuesday’s (September 22) podcast appearance, Behar said of the moment, “She pulled a fast one at the end.”

“Yeah, I did,” Jones conceded.

“She was supposed to say, ‘I’m leaving,’ on Thursday. Tuesday she comes in and says she was going,” Behar continued.

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“I always do what works for me,” Jones then explained.

When Behar said, “You might’ve given Barbara a heart attack that day,” Jones said with a smile, “Don’t say that because we ended up both having open-heart surgery. That’s how connected BW and I were; we both had aortic valve problems. We gave each other heart problems.”

Jones went on to discuss the history of the show’s biggest moments, including the 2007 moment when Elisabeth Hasselbeck and Rosie O’Donnell had a major on-air fight as producers used a split screen.

“That was when The View changed,” Jones noted. When prompted to explain “to what” by Behar, Jones then said, “To the more contentious back and forth, was when the split screen — when they went for a split screen. Because we disagreed vehemently all the time… The very first audition we disagreed. But it never came across [as] personal. And when they split-screened it, it reminded of a news program.”

“I think you’re right. I think that was a tipping point,” Behar agreed.

Jones, a former legal correspondent for Today and NBC News, first joined The View in 1997 and was a regular cohost for nine seasons until her departure.

According to reports, Jones was informed in April 2006 that her contract would not be renewed on the show, and she agreed privately with Walters and cocreator Bill Geddie that she would announce her departure on June 29, but she decided to move forward with the reveal on June 27.

CBS News reported that Walters felt “betrayed” by the announcement and was taken by surprise by Jones’ news.

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