Whoopi Goldberg says “The View” doesn’t ‘always get good-looking audiences’ on set
On the January 6, 2026 episode of The View, Whoopi Goldberg once again showed her playful and sometimes blunt relationship with the studio audience. As the show began, Whoopi and her cohosts walked out to the table as usual, smiling and greeting the crowd while the audience cheered loudly. Whoopi waved and called out to them with her usual energy, clearly taking notice of the people sitting in front of her.
Joy Behar then complimented the audience, saying they looked especially beautiful that day. That comment sparked a humorous moment when Whoopi jokingly pointed out that the show doesn’t always get such a good-looking crowd. The audience laughed, knowing she was teasing, and Whoopi leaned into the joke by saying that this group, in particular, stood out. She even singled out one man whose outfit caught her attention, telling him that his suit looked so good it was practically distracting her. The moment felt lighthearted and spontaneous, the kind of interaction that often makes the show feel unscripted and personal.
After the laughs settled down, Whoopi smoothly shifted the mood of the show. She reminded viewers that it was a somber day for the country, marking five years since the January 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol. The cohosts then moved into a serious discussion about what the anniversary meant and how the country has changed since that moment.
This wasn’t the first time Whoopi’s interactions with the live audience had drawn attention. In the past, she has stepped in when audience behavior became disruptive. One notable incident happened in 2024, when tension broke out between two audience members during a taping. According to a man who was sitting nearby, the situation started when one person began recording the show on their phone, making another person uncomfortable. The disagreement went on for several minutes and was becoming distracting.
Viewers at home couldn’t see the argument, but they did see Whoopi suddenly stand up and walk toward the audience. She calmly but firmly asked the man to stop recording, explaining that she could see him and requesting that he not take his phone out again. Her intervention quickly stopped the situation and prevented it from getting worse.
Moments like these have become part of Whoopi Goldberg’s legacy on The View. Whether she’s joking with audience members, complimenting their outfits, shushing them during interviews, or stepping in to keep the peace, she has a very direct and human way of handling the crowd. It adds an unpredictable, sometimes funny edge to the show, reminding viewers that The View is very much a live experience.
