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Dear Wellness Seekers,

The View-Spanista Sees Self Awareness Lessons for everyone.

In The New York Times Sunday Styles Section the lead story about The View called “Family Feuds” by Laura M. Holson caught my attention for a host of reasons. After reading it I reflected upon my experiences. Here are three reasons to be specific:

1. When The View launched in 1997 is was a breakout platform envisioned by Barbara Walters the favored icon of women’s news and entertainment who held iconic ‘the best of ‘ stature in broadcasting. The promise of 4 strong, intelligent women tackling news and culture topics, all coming from diverse backgrounds was exciting, inspiring and novel in daytime talk. Ms. Walter’s clearly demonstrated from her series of interview specials she understood the celebrity factor in our lives as they became must see events watched by millions. She had her finger on the pulse of hard news at the intersection of pop culture. At the time, given this, my prediction to my clients was get in early as this format has potential to generate high women’s audiences and staying power.

2. The co-hosts Ms. Walters choose to surround herself with are a dynamic blend of success on their own terms – like a brilliant recipe with eclectic ingredients that only a master chef could bring together in the rights measures – their qualities are more powerful together than each might be on their own. A new entertaining Daytime Cuisine was created and millions craved after the first taste. I loved the potential spark of the mix – Barbara, a seasoned news broadcaster and ringmaster; Starr Jones, a smart defense attorney turned news reporter in the OJ Simpson trial; Joy Behar, a well-regarded, savvy comedian and a high-profile smart, and Meredith Vieira, respected morning broadcast anchor on a national network.

3. It highlighted issues of interest to women upfront and center. For the very first time there was no filtering or defensiveness about topics of principle interest to us, we could explore them freely from various angles – but mostly in ways that would not allow ourselves to go over the deep end over anything. To strike the right balance. In the end women’s worth and intelligence was validated – what we think matters and we can share our thoughts freely. This is the essence of the American way. It was fun and informative. An example of alpha women enjoying each others intellect while they shared the stage.

The first several years were magical for The View. Oddly, back in 1997 I found myself able to see things from behinds the scenes. I was intrigued enough early on about The View’s potential, I eventually contacted one of the hosts about a potential partnership with a client. We attended the show at the studio – met the ladies. My client and this host had a lot in common that could be designed into a mutually beneficial program. After a bit of  navigation with both parties I was able to make it happen. Both parties benefited from and enjoyed the experience as The View’s ratings steadily rose. I admired the great example these women set for us – sharing points of view, finding the humor in things with no one thinking they were more right than the other.

Spanista Takeaway: The View-Spanista Sees Self Awareness Lessons, so what is Spanista’s view on The View? The magic ingredient of the show in the early successful was RESPECT. The original cast demonstrated by actions on air they deeply respected each other – treated each other with a special kind of sisterhood that comes from a place of self-awareness, decorum and accomplishment. With strong self-awareness one performs with self-control – the kind that tells you when to take the high road. Or when enough is enough. Or that righteousness is not the point of the show. The View worked for the longest time – until the evils of FAME took hold overshadowed the sisterhood. Once the hosts changed, the ingredients changed. The new host did not hold the same level of respectful sisterhood that comes with a self-esteem. I knew this person well from years previous direct experience too. Once the hosts changed, the ingredients changed, the recipe not longer worked.

What your take on The View?

To Your Self Care Journey To Joy,

Ginny