Unfortunately, Rosie O’Donnell was not able to attend “The View” co-hosts’ touching tribute for the late Barbara Walters on Tuesday due to her prior commitments.
“She was flying back and unable to attend,” the “Rosie O’Donnell Show” alum’s rep said.
“She has posted wonderful memories of her relationship with Barbara.”
Following the death of 93-year-old journalist Walters on Dec. 30, O’Donnell paid homage to her beloved colleague via Instagram.
“What a long and eventful legendary life she had,” O’Donnell stated.
“I was lucky enough to be in her orbit for a good many years and we saw a lot of Broadway shows together … May she rest in peace and may everyone remember just what barriers she broke down for women. She really did. She was the first and will always be remembered.”
On Tuesday, a representative of “The View” made it known to TV Line that they had extended an invitation for O’Donnell to join them on-air with a tribute in addition to her post on social media.
On Tuesday’s show, beloved co-hosts of “The View,” such as Whoopi Goldberg, Joy Behar and Sunny Hostin paid tribute to the esteemed journalist.
Lisa Ling, who sat on the panel of “The View” with Walters from 1999 to 2022, remarked that her experience ” was unreal.” “I had been watching Barbara all of my life and here she was sitting next to me on my left and it was just an incredible feeling.”
Sherri Shepherd, who graced “The View” from 2007 to 2014 as a co-host, expressed her gratitude by mentioning how “ferociously” Barbara Walters defended her while on the show.
During the memorable segment, “View” alums Star Jones and Debbie Matenopoulos fondly remembered their experiences while collaborating with Walters.
Meredith Vieira, the inaugural moderator of “The View” and co-host from 1997 to 2006, gave her regards over the phone as she was under the weather.
“She’s ill — that’s why she can’t be here, but she’s a trooper. She’s on the phone,” Behar said.
Sara Haines added, “I know that you didn’t want to miss honoring Barbara.”
The news veteran then paid homage to Walters for being the cornerstone of the talk show’s launch, expressing that “We had lousy ratings in the beginning, but there was such respect for Barbara amongst the people at ABC that they kept it going and look at it now.”
Although Elisabeth Hasselbeck was unable to be there physically, she joined the conversation over video call and shared her fondness for Barbara Walters, calling her both “TV mom” and “mentor.”
During the show’s broadcast, viewers took to social media platforms to express their discontent with O’Donnell’s lack of presence.
“I know the show has bad blood with Rosie O’Donnell, but it would’ve been nice if they’d included her today. #theview,” one person wrote on Twitter.
Another said, “I wish @Rosie was included on the @TheView’s remembrance of Barbara Walters show. #TheView#RosieODonnell.”
It has been speculated that the couple’s tumultuous past may have had a bearing on O’Donnell’s decision.
The “Smilf” alum’s rep said, “They did NOT have a rocky relationship. It was repaired many years ago.”
In 2019, reports swirled that Walters was so upset with the comedian’s behaviour that she reportedly threatened to quit “The View”.
In her tell-all book, “Ladies Who Punch: The Explosive Inside Story of The View”, O’Donnell accepted responsibility for the reputed conflict and confessed that she “said some things she shouldn’t have” to Walters.
