EXCLUSIVE: WHOOPI GOLDBERG IS THE BIGGEST OBSTACLE TO A ROSIE O’DONNELL RETURN TO THE VIEW

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Rosie O’Donnell says she’d be open to returning to The View as a guest host. But sources tell Naughty But Nice there’s still one major obstacle standing in her way: Whoopi Goldberg.

The timing is interesting because Rosie has recently gone out of her way to praise her former co-host, signaling a dramatic thaw in one of daytime television’s most famous feuds.

Rosie revealed she recently reunited with Whoopi at a Broadway performance of Cats: The Jellicle Ball and was pleasantly surprised by the encounter.

“Whoopi has been very kind,” Rosie said, noting that the Oscar winner looked “fantastic.” Whoopi returned the compliment on The View, telling viewers that Rosie looked great and had exciting projects underway.

It’s a remarkable turnaround.

Just a few years ago, Rosie described working alongside Whoopi as the “worst experience” of her television career and claimed in a Howard Stern interview that “Whoopi really didn’t like me.”

“The personal relationship has improved tremendously,” a television insider tells Naughty But Nice. “But that doesn’t automatically mean Whoopi wants Rosie back at the table.”

Sources say Goldberg remains the most influential voice on the show.

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“Whoopi has earned enormous respect behind the scenes,” says an insider. “If she were campaigning for Rosie to return, it would happen. The fact that it hasn’t tells you where things stand.”

Even so, insiders don’t rule out a surprise appearance.

“Never say never,” says a source. “The feud is over. The friendship is improving. But a full View return is still a very different conversation.”

Cheers,

Rob Shuter

And remember... if you’re going to be naughty, you’ve got to be nice. 💋