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ABC’s long-running daytime talk show The View celebrated its 4,000th episode on Friday.
Creator, longtime co-host and executive producer Barbara Walters returned to the show as a guest co-host for the day, where she also looked back at the show’s origins and memorable moments. Original co-host Joy Behar, who left the show in 2013 ahead of Walters’ 2014 retirement, also returned for Friday’s episode as a guest co-host.
The show’s brand-new studio was decked out in “4,000th” logos, using the circle around The View‘s logo as a zero. Much of the audience was wearing 4,000th T-shirts. Audience members also got mugs with the 4,000th episode logo.
In the show’s opening segment, Walters, Behar and the show’s current trio of co-hosts (Whoopi Goldberg, Rosie Perez and Nicolle Wallace), talked about the show’s origins and longevity. Walters joked, “There were many people who said [The View] would ruin our careers, and it has.”
Read more Rosie O’Donnell Explains Why She’s Leaving ‘The View’
Goldberg talked about how grateful she was that The View hired her when, she claimed, she “hit a very awkward stumbling block in [her] life and career” and needed a job.
“You gave me an opportunity, and it changed my life because people realized that I actually have some thoughts in my head on occasion,” Goldberg said.
Walters recalled that she got a letter from Goldberg years before she was hired offering to contribute if the show ever felt like they could use her.
Read more Rosie Perez Makes Triumphant Return to ‘The View’ (Video)
Later, frequent guest Mario Cantone made the first of several appearances in the hour, emceeing a “ReView” trivia game show in which the co-hosts teamed up with some of The View‘s biggest fans to compete to see who could remember some of the series’ most memorable moments.
He later performed a song about the show’s current lineup of co-stars.
The episode also featured compilations and clips from The View‘s 18 seasons, including Walters’ final episode as co-host last spring.
After one reel of performances and guests, Goldberg told Behar and Walters, “With any luck, we will try to continue to bring honor to what you and you started. This is the show you created; we’re here because of you.”
Read more Inside ‘The View’ Season Premiere: Off-Camera Moments and How the Panel Came Together
At the end, Walters led Behar, Goldberg, Wallace, Perez and Cantone in a toast. She also took a shot at shows, like CBS’ The Talk, that have adopted similar formats.
“I want to raise a glass with my wonderful colleagues to 4,000 shows of The View and to the women who made it possible,” she said. “I also want to raise a glass to the 4,000 shows that copy us. It’s become a daytime institution of strong, funny, smart, opinionated women and a powerful brand.”
Read more Barbara Walters’ Last ‘View’: Oprah Winfrey, Hillary Clinton Pay Tribute to Retiring Co-Host (Video)
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