Curious Who Has Hosted ‘The View’ the Longest? Whoopi Goldberg Just Broke the Record

The TV personality set a record in 2024 for how long she’s been a host on the ABC talk show.

preview for 10 Surprising Facts About Whoopi Goldberg

When The View first aired on ABC back in 1997, no one would’ve expected a talk show involving five women with different opinions to last as long as it has. The concept was pretty simple: the co-hosts would chat about current events, interview the hottest celebrities and share bits and pieces of their lives.

Now in its 28th season, it won’t surprise viewers to know that the faces have changed over the years as well. Famous names like Rosie O’Donnell, Raven-Symone and Meredith Vieira have sat at the iconic table throughout the last three decades, but the current panel consist of longtime hosts Whoopi Goldberg and Joy Behar, with Sara Haines, Sunny Hostin, Alyssa Farah Griffin and Ana Navarro sitting alongside them during the week.

Since Whoopi is a well-known host on the network, fans may be curious to know how long Whoopi Goldberg has been on The View. As it turns out, she’s been a panelist for so long that she recently broke a record for the show. Here’s everything to know about Whoopi’s time on The View:

how long has whoopi goldberg been on the view
Lou Rocco//ABC

How long has Whoopi Goldberg been on The View?

According to TV Insider, Whoopi has been on The View since season 11 in 2006. In 2024, The View is airing its 28th season, meaning: Whoopi Goldberg has been on The View for 18 seasons.

The news of Whoopi joining The View first came from late journalist Barbara Walters, who was one of the original hosts of the TV show (per The New York Times). At the time, Whoopi was brought in as a replacement for Rosie O’Donnell, who’d been a part of the show between 2006 and 2007. What’s more, the show brought Whoopi in as a way to be a neutral voice for the hosts, who had been involved in a number of heated debates regarding politics and the state of the U.S. at the time of her debut.

“We can have those discussions, and do it in a way people can talk,” Whoopi said in a statement, per the outlet at the time. “Sometimes you get excited, but you move on. You move it forward. You go on to the next thing. You don’t harbor any ill will. If you do, you deal with it — afterward.”

how long has whoopi goldberg been on the view
Lou Rocco//ABC

“This is how I roll,” she added. “I don’t think it’s necessary to fight with people over long periods of time. Life is way short. It’s scary how little time there is.”

Who has hosted The View the longest?

This answer’s tricky, since it depends on how you’re counting. TV Insider explains that as an original cast member on The View, Joy Behar is currently the longest-running non-consecutive host of The View. She’s been on the air for 26 seasons, but was not on the air during seasons 17 and 18.

That being said, when it comes to the longest-running consecutive host, Whoopi holds the title. In fact, she broke the record at the start of this season, as 18 consecutive seasons is more than any other host of The View. Barbara Walters previously held the record, having been a full-time panelist for the show’s first 17 seasons.

Congrats on the achievement, Whoopi!