Barry Manilow used to write the songs that made the whole world sing – but now he writes the songs that make the whole world sing except for Elisabeth Hasselbeck, who Barry Manilow has ordered not to sing because he hates her.
That's right – Barry Manilow hates Elisabeth Hasselbeck from The View. Nothing new there – Elisabeth Hasselbeck couldn't be any more disagreeable if she turned up for work wearing a coat made of bludgeoned children – but Barry Manilow hates Elisabeth Hasselbeck so much that he's pulled out of an appearance on The View if it means sharing a stage with her. And Barry Manilow's decision to pull out of The View has forged yet another ideological chasm in an already violently divided world, where people must now choose whether they're on the side of Barry Manilow, the side of Elisabeth Hasselbeck or the side that'd prefer to crush its head between two big rocks instead of siding with either of those two gasping ninnies.
There's no doubting that Rosie O'Donnell left a hole when she left The View earlier this year – a giant, angry paranoid hole that looked as if it'd never be filled. Sure, Rosie O'Donnell's replacement Whoopi Goldberg is doing her best to fill The View with the sort of nonsense that her predecessor made her own – nonsense like advocating dog murder to housewives – but she's just not narrow-minded and reactionary enough. Not like Barry Manilow, who's refused to go on The View because he doesn't like Elisabeth Hasselbeck very much.
Despite everyone thinking that he's a culturally-spent relic with a busted hip, Barry Manilow is just as relevant as he's ever been. Not only does Barry Manilow win Emmys, but he also keeps churning out cutting-edge albums like Barry Manilow, Barry Manilow II, Barry, Manilow, Barry Manilow, Barry Manilow Live and Ultimate Barry Manilow. And now Barry Manilow has reached the zenith of his work as a cultural commentator by getting in a bit of a fight with the shrieky one from The View that nobody likes. E! Online reports:
In a message posted on his Website Monday, the pop icon announced he has scuttled a Tuesday appearance on The View because he did not want to take a seat next to Elisabeth Hasselbeck. "I wanted to let you know that I will no longer be on The View tomorrow as scheduled. I had made a request that I be interviewed by Joy, Barbara or Whoopi but not Elisabeth Hasselbeck," he wrote. "Unfortunately, the show was not willing to accommodate this simple request, so I bowed out… It's really too bad, because I've always been a big supporter of the show, but I cannot compromise my beliefs. The good news is I will be on a whole slew of other shows promoting the new album."
It's hard to see what offended Barry Manilow so much about right-wing creationist pro-life pro-guns pro-war screechmonger Elisabeth Hasselbeck, but it must be something pretty jolly serious for him to cancel his appearance on The View and receive acres of press drawing attention to the release his forthcoming album – featuring a cover version of Don't Go Breaking My Heart with Rosie O'Donnell – in return.
It's a shame that Barry Manilow couldn't just accept that The View is a show where women of specifically differing political beliefs go to discuss events of the day and accepted it for what it is. After all, we're sure that Elisabeth Hasselbeck is a lot of fun deep down – provided you don't look directly into her eyes and turn to stone – and Barry Manilow could have learnt to engage in conversation with people of differing opinion for once instead of the gang of sycophants he must usually knock around with. Plus the man in charge of making things go split-screen at The View is going to get fired unless there's another high-pitched argument on the show soon, so Barry Manilow really ought to think of him.
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Diane Allen says
You idiotic reporters!!! Ger your frickin’ facts straight. Barry did record a duet with Rosie but chose not to include it on his newly-released CD.
How can we take anything you guys/gals write seriously if you don’t research your crap before you print it?
Lisa K. says
So freedom of speech, religion, sexual preference, etc. is good for Barry but Elisabeth is not entitled to same?
If everyone else was as closeminded as Barry, he’d be locked in his closet! So much for accepting others’ differences – and celebrating that we have that right.
I am destroying my Barry Manilow CDs and will never buy or watch his stuff again.
Shut up and sing Barry – just not to me!
Doris says
Thank You Barry Manilow!!! It’s about time someone stood up and made it known that enough is enough. Ms. Hasselbeck needs to be seen and not heard. Her overbearing opinions grate on the nerves of many of us “The View” fans. We would be happy to have her fade away as a result of her Maternity Leave. It’s time for “The View” to acquire a young woman who actually has respect for her elders on the show. There are many fine choices out there and I am sure that Barbara can find someone (to take Elizabeth’s place) who will be a credit and not an embarrassment. (Jessica Alba, Beyonce, Scarlett Johanssen, Amanda Bynes, Kirsten Dunst, Hayden Panettiere to name a few young women who embody the “Right Qualities”.) The silent majority can be silent no more. Please hear our plea, of Elizabeth Hasselbeck, make us free!!!! Bring back the refinement and subtleties of “The View” of the past. Differences of opinion are fine but respect and humility and etiquette are lovely female qualities that former members of this show have embraced and possessed. It seems that the other co-host ladies are at this level and should be rewarded by the addition of a younger lady of the same caliber. Thank you for this opportunity to speak for others of like minds.
Nicole says
Thank you Lisa!!! Shut up and sing is right. What makes the View a great show is both sides are shown. If Barry has a problem with Elizabeth’s freedoms then I am glad he is not going on the show. Why does he think by being interviewed by Elizabeth he would have to “compromise his beliefs’? Is he that week of a person??? Elizabeth never compromises hers! Way to go Barry! I’m glad I won’t have to see you on the show, maybe they can feel you slot with a stronger minded person!
Andi says
First of all Stuart Heritage needs to get his facts straight or stop writing. I don’t think he even knows the meaning of the word objective and it certainly seems he has a personal vendetta against the actually very sweet natured Hasselbeck.
Secondly, isn’t Barry Manilow entitled to refuse to be interviewed by anyone he chooses?
Lisa aren’t you just being a tad hypocritical? Isn’t he entitled to rights too? What happened to freedom?! He never said that Hasselbeck isn’t entitled to the same freedoms maybe he just didn’t want to get into fights onair. He hasn’t come out and say anything in poor taste; just that he did not want to be interviewed by Hasselbeck, whose opinions he disagrees with? Maybe he didnt want his appearance that is meant to promote his album to be overshadowed with political arguments (and I am not saying I agree or disagree with either Manilows or Hasselbeck’s views) or maybe he doesn’t want to get into one of those “feuds”. ohhh imagine a celebrity being above yelling at one another…
Brenda R. says
Barry is as much of an idiot as Rosie (if that’s possible). I never really liked Barry Manilow anyway. Just goes to show I was no fan of Barry Manilow before being no fan of Barry Manilow was cool!
Dan H. says
Back in the day when he was new on the seen i I called him “Fairy Monkeyblow’ because I couldn’t stand his music, it was so simple and lame.
Now, not only do I hate his music I personally hate his freaken guts!
Capt America says
Some days the postings on this sight are untellably depressing.
Today is one of them.
Barry Manilow has no obligation to speak to anyone.
He has the right to withdraw from an interview for any reason he chooses.
If he feels that the interviewer will ask questions that distract from the main focus
of promoting his album, it makes sense for him to spend his time elsewhere.
As an artist, he probably enjoys speaking with people who he feels
‘get’ him and his work. If he feels that the politics, personality, or anything else
about the interviewer make that unlikely, then why would he do it?
And I hate Barry Manilow’s music. I think his work is treacley slop. His music
is anaesthetic for the already dead. Oh, God, why am I even bothering?
Gilbert Wham says
So that I don’t have to Capt. A, and I thank you for it.
daron says
hasselbeck is a terrerist just like her boy bush i’m glad manilow stads up not be involved with war mongers!
Lisa K. says
He should have quietly, respectfully, cancelled rather than making a very public statement that could only lead to flames.
Does he only let like-minded fans buy his CDs, go to his concerts and line his pockets?
I doubt any one would have interviewed him and asked about his personal or political beliefs. They’d have had him sing and then asked insipid questions about his upcoming CD.
I don’t agree with either side’s politics but I do support equal time for each. If they’re gonna talk, they should allow everyone to speak their mind.
Gilbert Wham says
This is the same show with the woman who believes the earth is flat, yes? They should be nuked from orbit, not merely denied the opportunity to speak to Barry Manilow. AND we’d be rid od Whoopi Goldberg too. Win win.
kevin says
so barry manilow doesn’t like elisabeth hasselbeck. well, that clears up one mystery–we now know that barry is actually still alive.
mary ann burke says
He writes the songs that make the whole world sick.
Shannon says
Barry Manilow is a F***in moron! Elisabeth is just saying what she believes, the show is called the view and she is giving her view. So many people watch the view just to see her. People think just because she is blonde, young and pretty that she is stupid like Paris Hilton. Elisabeth does not deserve to be treated that way (with so much disrespect), or get her feelings hurt. I am definetly one of Elisabeths biggest fans and think that she is awesome! Something else I would like to bring up is that when Rosie was on the View, she would yell all the time ( Elisabeth would argue not yell) and no one would care, but when Elisabeth yelled a couple times onthe view every one acted like it was the end of the world and that she was a terrible person. Elisabeth we love you, dont listen to those rude things people say and dont change! Your Awesome!
Jennifer says
Barry Manilow has every right to deny speaking to the press or be on a talkshow. I used to love watching The View and I still do at times but immediately turn it off when Elizabeth gets on her soap box. She has a lot of opinions, but she needs to keep them to herself at times. She is going to start alienating people real soon if she doesn’t learn to stop talking. How many times have we seen Barbara Walters intervene to no avail. Elizabeth needs to learn to keep her mouth shut.
Indubitably Jones says
Is it the 1960s again already? You’ll be burning your Beatle albums next. Christ, no wonder the rest of the world has a view of America as being full of cretinous right-wingers.
Just for the record- The Bible is a peice of fiction; God and Jesus are characters in said book; attacking countries for oil and murdering tens of thousands of people is wrong; women’s right for abortion is just and correct; whether you stick your penis in a vagina or a bottom is neither here nor there; sex and nudity is beautiful whether your married or not; having dark skin and a beard does not mean people are terrorists; and if there was such a thing as hell, the people who disagree with the above statements would be going there, and not having a rapture.
All you need is love, as the new Jesus Christ, John Lennon once said. Pip pip my dears!
Karen says
You go Elizabeth!!! I think you have the right to voice your “VIEW” regardles of the guest’s beliefs. I am a big fan of Barry’s but come one! I also am a big fan of Elizabeth’s for her rights to voice hedr opinions on politics, personal opinions, etc. YOU GO GIRL!!!
LAA says
doesnt any body see that Elizabeth has a opinion just like any body on the veiw, BUT, like every body else on the show because she is rebublican her voice shouldnt be heard , because of what ever George Bush has done is obiviously her fault, please I do believe that this is america and we all have freedom of speech,all the other ladies on the show can certainly run-down ,berate and have not 1 good word or consideration for any rebublican that goes on the show including Ms.Walters, the way she interviewed John Mcain on the last show. But any thing about the democrats especially Mr Obama or his wife there treated like royal people ,but Elizabeth is not allowed to chirp in one word without getting a smack down ,I really use to enjoy this show BUT not so much any more, maybe there is a hidden meaning why this show has never got a Emmy..
JLO says
Barry Manilow is a big baby. Is he not man enough to go on the view and deal with Elisabeth? Maybe he thinks Elisabeth will trample all over his opinions. If he can’t even stand up and deal with a 30-year-old, tiny little woman, then he doesn’t deserve to be called a man. You got it right, Nicole, Barry Manilow is weak.
Gilday says
FYI
Barry Manilow is an empty (but glittery) suit. He didn’t even write the song ‘I write the Songs’ (written by Bruce Johnston in 1975), He is very little more than a bad facelift and a worse haircut. To put any faith or take any guidance from what HIS view of the world situation is would be like taking medical advice from a Playmate with a real nice rack… without substantiation or creedence.
Grantu8 says
Here we are on July 4th, 2009…and who’s singing about “AMERICA & FREEDOM”…you ask? Well…it’s Barry Manilow! Singing all about FREEDOM and AMERICA…and yet he REFUSED TO SHARE THE STAGE WITH ELEZABETH HASSELBECK!!! Pretty pathetic I feel that he was even chosen to sing at the WHITEHOUSE no less for the 4th of July festivities!! Yet he would Love to silence Elizabeth…well at least he REFUSES to sit on the stage with her, because of her political views! Now here “HE” is…singing for AMERICA & all that it stands for…FREEDOM…FREEDOM…FREEDOM OF CHOICE IN MOST EVERYTHING WE DO!!
I’m not political or extremest whatsoever, but when I saw his face participating & singing at our “NATIONAL FREEDOM FESTIVAL”…which did I mention…stands for FREEDOM?!He has NO RIGHT being up there representing our country considering his treatment of Elizabeth…refusing to be on the same stage with her..on the view!!!
Food for thought Barry….I have the FREEDOM TO QUIT BUYING AND LISTENING TO YOUR MUSIC…which I have done!!!
A PROUD AMERICAN who believes EVERYONE has a RIGHT TO FREE SPEECH WITHOUT FEAR OF BANISHMENT OR SHUNNING!!!
Lauren says
whOo iid hee?
chris says
hassellbeck is an absolute moron and a BAD PERSON….And ANYONE associated with her is an ASS…. PERIOD !!!!!
She Should NOT be on ANY show… she is an evil C#nt
Joe says
Shannon….” Elisabeth we love you” ? Bitch please….who, you and your hairdresser? It is impossible to love her by design. She is an instrument, a violin played by the execs at ABC to boost ratings. If you read the blogs, newspaper and magazine articles, everyone to a person hates her for what she is, and that is, she isn’t anything, yet considers herself to be a bona fide “celebrity”. Gosh I’d give my fishing equipment and a few hair plugs to overhear a conversation she has with herself when she considers her “achievements”. “Loser” is a hard banner to carry without the monetary gains she has somehow stumbled into. Imagine being her and reading all the hate ? She is laughing now, as she has at most of my blogs….all the way to the bank.
Chicago Margie says
Joe, you’re a real jerk.