On the latest broadcast of ABC’s “The View,” co-host Whoopi Goldberg took a dismissive stance on the controversy surrounding the opening ceremony of the 2024 Paris Olympics, which many have criticized as an offensive reinterpretation of Leonardo Da Vinci’s revered artwork, *The Last Supper*. Goldberg’s advice to those outraged by the performance was blunt: “Just turn the TV off.”
The ceremony in question featured a spectacle that included a woman surrounded by men dressed as drag queens, striking poses that closely resembled Da Vinci’s iconic depiction of Jesus Christ’s final meal with his apostles. This scene, integral to Christian tradition, was viewed by many as a disrespectful parody of one of Christianity’s most sacred moments.
Goldberg’s reaction was anything but sympathetic. During the show, she advised viewers who were troubled by the performance to simply avoid it: “If you are not happy with something, and it bothers you, don’t take 20 hours to write an email. Just turn the TV off. Watch something else. Put the newspaper down. Don’t look at the pictures. These are choices, you know, we’re back to this thing. These are our choices. You have the ability. Forget what Instagram is telling you. If you don’t like it, go to something else.”
Goldberg further defended the controversial depiction by citing the artistic director’s claim that the performance was inspired by the 17th-century Dutch painting *The Feast of the Gods*—a portrayal of Greek Olympian gods, fitting for the Olympic theme. “The guy that put it all together said it was from ‘The Feast of the Gods,’” Goldberg explained. “It’s the Olympics. They’re showing you the history. There are too many people in the picture for it to be the 12 disciples and then the seven or eight other people in the picture.”
Sarah Haines, another co-host, weighed in on the backlash, suggesting that Christians should adopt a more forgiving approach. “Don’t go by the literal letter of the Bible. Go by the example of the word, which is live with the grace. Live with the forgiveness,” she said. Haines implied that the artistic director’s intent was not to provoke but to reflect historical themes, and urged Christians to focus on embodying the spirit of Jesus rather than the precise details of religious depictions.
Ana Navarro also chimed in, urging viewers to shift their focus from the opening ceremony to the athletes themselves. “This was a very small part of it, and it’s what’s consumed so much of America, I guess,” Navarro said. “There are young people who train their entire lives to be there, to represent our countries. Can we please give them the focus?”
While Goldberg and her co-hosts may dismiss the concerns of those who found the ceremony disrespectful, the controversy raises important questions about the intersection of art, religion, and public sentiment. The backlash underscores the tension between creative expression and respect for religious traditions—a debate that continues to play out in various facets of modern media and entertainment. As the Olympics proceed, it remains to be seen how these issues will influence both public discourse and the athletes who are at the heart of the global event.
