https://jacksonupperco.com/2019/10/23/a-funny-thing-happened-on-the-way-to-the-view-a-look-at-whoopi/

This last fact is important, for Goldberg’s intrinsic comedic genius has always been matched by an outspokenness, especially when it comes to politics, and so this vehicle to showcase her talents was also made to house her “views,” which, in the era that saw the start of the Iraq War, were largely anti-Bush and not overwhelmingly popular. So, even before Whoopi (https://web.archive.org/web/20140402223206/http://forums.televisionwithoutpity.com/topic/3044530-whoopi/?view=getnewpost) premiered, articles swirled about the series’ unlikelihood of finding success — not only because of its star’s most recent financial unpopularity, but also because of its perceived controversial nature, which went beyond her divisive politics and included her weekly chain-smoking. (By that time, even Becker had quit!) In other words, this was a show subject to extra scrutiny even before its debut, and true to its leading lady, Whoopi (https://web.archive.org/web/20061031125256/http://www.jumptheshark.com/w/whoopi.htm) certainly wasn’t going to disappoint its critics…