The View From the Top

I attended my first taping of The View earlier this month when it was announced that had earned the coveted co-host spot. It was wild! Five minutes before the show started, there was a danceoff to the sounds of ’s "Bust A Move." Four ladies got up and shook their groove thangs for the camera.

During the commercial breaks, treated everyone to some laughs when she joked about her bout with shingles (yick!) and how fans often come up to her saying "Remember when you performed at Haha’s in Secaucus and I sat in the front row?" Um, short answer: No, she doesn’t.

My sister, who was watching the show at home in Ohio, said I was the only person who didn’t look excited when audience members received $500 in kids’ toys during the "Doctor Gadget" segment. Yeah, of course I wasn't thrilled! I was thinking "Oh no! What am I going to do with all this stuff in my tiny apartment?" It can only handle so many gift bags, ladies. And I was also thinking "Aagh! How am I going to get this stuff home?" Whew — no gifts for the press (doesn't anyone love us?), thank goodness.

Afterward, I stuck around to get interviews with Joy, , and newcomer Whoopi herself. First they talked to the TV writers, and then made their way over to us print folks. Elisabeth ducked out of questions about , but did mention the topic of her due date. “Due dates are all manufactured,” she said. “How do they know when the sperm hit the egg?"

OK! joined Whoopi in the green room for her lunch of a ham sandwich, potato chips and lemon iced tea. She thought I was from the British OK! and couldn’t believe this was such a big deal they sent someone from the U.K. to NYC to cover her arrival. Um! We’ve been here for two years. She was very gracious, though, and warm.

Hm, I hear I’m heading back to The View very soon? Fun times. Whoopi starts September 4.