After the Star Flameout, the Negatives Are Rising

"And so, we told her that she could say whatever she wanted about why she was leaving and that we would back her up. . . . We hoped she would announce it here on the program and leave with dignity."

But Star did say what she wanted about why she was leaving. And she did announce it on the program.

So why did they not back her up? Why did they instead sack her newly skinny heinie?

Yesterday, B-Wa would only say, coyly, that Star "made another choice" and that since her announcement Tuesday on the show, "she has made further announcements that have surprised us."

By "other announcements" we presume she means "interview with People magazine," in which Star said, "I feel like I was fired," and which popped up on the mag's Web site before Tuesday's edition of "The View" had ended.

Yes, Barbara Walters got scooped on her own big story by People magazine.

Chatting with Ryan Seacrest on his Los Angeles radio show yesterday, Star acknowledged she's known for months they did not want her back on the show in the fall. She said that the parties involved had agreed to orchestrate an on-air announcement this week and she had been asked to remain with the show through mid-July. Did you know that July is a sweeps month? You can just imagine the treacle fest they were planning for Star's bow-out.

But, with Star going off-script and, it appears, telling the truth about the reason for her departure, B-Wa told viewers yesterday Star had made it "uncomfortable for us to pretend that everything is the same" on the show.

Star told Seacrest yesterday she got word late Tuesday "they did not want me to return today."

"I was told yesterday was my last day," she told Seacrest.

Actually, she said, she did not get the call, her agent did. And, in response to a direct question from Seacrest, Star said she had not heard from B-Wa.

B-Wa preferred to convey her message to Star through the medium of television, which is rated, versus a phone call, which is not.

"We wish her well in this new chapter of her life as we begin a new chapter on 'The View.' When we come back, we will do what we do best, or worst -- hot topics."