A 'View' Meltdown as Star Jones Is Ousted

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By Lisa de Moraes

Wednesday, June 28, 2006

Barbara Walters whined to the Associated Press that she was "betrayed" by Star Jones yesterday when "The View" co-host announced on the show that she is leaving next month.

The announcement had been orchestrated to happen tomorrow, said Walters, executive producer of the ABC daytime show.

But Jones took control of the story, also giving an interview to People magazine in which she said her contract had not been renewed and she felt like she'd been fired.

Let's take a moment to review:

Star gets the old heave-ho.

"View" suits want it out on Thursday.

Barbara Walters exec-produces "View."

Star announces it Tuesday.

Barbara tells the AP she's been betrayed.

In case you missed it, Jones cut into Joy Behar's blah, blah, blah around 11:13 a.m.:

"I apologize for interrupting you. Something has been on my heart for a little bit and after much prayer and counsel I feel like this is the right time to tell you that the show is moving in another direction for its 10th season, and I will not be returning as co-host next year."

"That's shocking to me," Joy responds. Oh paleeze.

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