Who Were the Original Hosts of The View
The original hosts of The View were Barbara Walters, Joy Behar, Meredith Vieira, Star Jones, and Debbie Matenopoulos when the ABC daytime talk show first aired in 1997 according to Forbes. The panel format was designed to feature women with distinct perspectives, and the lineup created a mix of journalism, comedy, and celebrity commentary from the first episode.
Barbara Walters served as the moderator and executive producer, bringing her decades of broadcast journalism experience from ABC News as reported by The New York Times. Her role set the tone for the show's conversational yet informative style, and she remained a central figure on the program for many years before retiring from regular hosting duties.
Original Host Lineup and Roles
Barbara Walters
As the creator and moderator, Walters conducted interviews and guided discussions, drawing on her reputation as one of the most respected broadcast journalists in American television history.
Joy Behar
Joy Behar brought a comedic and often irreverent perspective to the panel, and she quickly became known for her sharp wit and candid commentary on current events and pop culture.
Meredith Vieira
Meredith Vieira contributed a grounded, conversational style rooted in her broadcast background, and she later went on to become a lead anchor for NBC News and a host of the Today show.
Star Jones
Star Jones, a former prosecutor and legal analyst, added a distinctive voice focused on legal issues and social commentary, and she remained on the show until 2006 before pursuing other media ventures.
Debbie Matenopoulos
Debbie Matenopoulos was the youngest original host at the time, bringing a youthful energy and a background in entertainment journalism that helped shape the show's early identity.
Impact and Legacy of the Original Hosts
The original lineup established The View as a influential platform for daytime discourse, and the show's format has been replicated by other programs around the world. The diversity of perspectives among the first hosts set a standard for panel-style talk shows, and several of them went on to have prominent careers in broadcast journalism and media.
The show has continued to evolve with rotating hosts and changing cultural conversations, but the foundation laid by its original hosts remains a key part of its identity as noted in historical coverage. Understanding who the original hosts were provides context for how the program shaped daytime television and influenced the careers of the women involved.