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Why is Whoopi Goldberg working despite SAG-AFTRA strike? 'The View' fans slam host for being 'hypocrite'

A furious fan wrote, 'Whoopi you are an actress first. Join the strike and protect the union. Aren't you in Sag-Aftra? Don't be a scab'

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: ‘The View’ host Whoopi Goldberg never fails to leave her fans annoyed as her recent discussion on the SAG-AFTRA strike has left many viewers raging. The popular ABC talk show is forging on despite the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes and viewers are not keeping calm as to why the daytime show has not been put on pause, unlike other scripted series and movies.

Despite the ongoing strikes by SAG-AFTRA and WGA against studios and streaming services, Whoopi Goldberg addressed her continued presence on ‘The View’. On the show's latest episode, Goldberg clarified that she and her co-hosts operate under a different contract that does not involve the union. She emphasized that they support the striking unions and stand in solidarity with their fellow industry professionals. As the show pre-records Friday episodes during the summer, Monday's episode marked their return. Goldberg's statement aimed to clarify their situation and assure viewers that they are fully supportive of the ongoing strikes.

‘We just want it to work out for everybody’

At the beginning of July 17, Monday’s episode, Whoopi Goldberg addressed the audience and explained the continuation of work on ‘The View’ despite the ongoing SAG-AFTRA strike that commenced last week. She exclaimed, “Like the soap operas and game shows and news shows, we work under a different kind of contract which is called The Network Code, which means that we are allowed to continue on. As we’re not actors at the table acting The View, it’s a different kind of context. So that’s why we’re still able to work”. She further added to explain, “We support the actors who are out on strike, as we do with the ... writers' guild," she said. "People are just trying to get a balance...That's why we're working today”.

While ‘The View’ can continue with its regular programming, there may be a change in the number of guests as actors are prohibited from promoting major theatrical or TV projects due to the strike rules. Goldberg concluded her explanation, “We want it to all work out for everybody because nobody wants to see folks on strike because it’s never good when you have to make a noise to say, ‘Hey, we’re here.’ But you do it as long as you need to do it, so we’re backing everybody up." The moderator restated that she and her co-hosts, Sara Haines, Alyssa Farah Griffin, Joy Behar, Ana Navarro, and Sunny Hostin are in solidarity with both the striking actors of SAG-AFTRA and the striking members of the Writer's Guild of America (WGA), who have been on strike since May 2023.

Why is ‘The View’ not impacted by the SAG-AFTRA strike?

As per The Hollywood Reporter, daytime soap operas, unscripted reality TV, game shows, and news programs will continue airing as usual despite the Screen Actors Guild strike. These shows operate under a different contract known as SAG-AFTRA's National Code of Fair Practice for Network Television Broadcasting, also referred to as the Network Code or Netcode. While daytime actors are part of SAG-AFTRA, their contracts fall under the Netcode, allowing them to work through the strike. Notable soap operas, talk shows, and reality shows are covered by the Netcode, with contracts extending until July 2024. Until then, all soap operas will continue production without major disruptions. These shows have taken proactive measures to navigate the strike's impact by utilizing non-WGA writers and stockpiling scripts. Soap operas typically film episodes in advance, allowing them to maintain a buffer and rely on pre-existing scripts during the strike. This strategy enables the shows to continue airing new episodes while minimizing the immediate impact of the writer's strike.

‘Whoopi is a hypocrite!’

Many fans brutally slammed Goldberg and insisted her on joining the strike considering she’s an actor first. ‘The View’ fans took to social media to lash on Goldberg as one Twitter user wrote, “Whoopi claims she wants the strikes to work out for everyone, that's y she continues filming. However, that makes it clear she's taking a side and saying actors and writers don't deserve a fair wage. She thinks ‘idc I'm to old for this to affect me’."

Another added, “It's so sad to see Whoopi Goldberg breaking the strike. Whoopi Goldberg, you are an actress first. Your I can't piss off my corporate ruler Disney greed is showing." One more fan added claiming her reasons were actually lousy, “Lame excuse by Whoopi on why she is showing up even though SAG is on strike. The others at the table could be there but Whoopi is a movie star & Oscar winner. So she is movies not tv. Whoopi is a hypocrite!”

More fans mocked Goldberg and reflected on her history as one fan wrote, “Talk show hosts are not actors. Whoopi Goldberg is both. Whoopi won an Oscar for Ghost. Her performance in The Color Purple is legendary. She's an actor first and they're on strike. She should join them on the picket line”, and another added, “Whoopi you are an actress first. Join the strike and protect the union. Aren't you in Sag-Aftra? Don't be a scab."

One more fan wrote, “Drescher is keeping the strike and can't appear on talk shows. Whoopi is a member of the union but she's on TV. Just because she can appear on a talk show during the strike doesn't mean she should”.