Reynolds: ABC Said to 'Make Up a Story'

Ousted cast member Star Jones Reynolds said Thursday she was told she
could "make up a story" about why she was leaving "The View" and her
colleagues would have gone along with it.

The news that Reynolds wouldn't have her contract renewed for a 10th year
on the daytime talk show exploded this week into a bitter war of words
involving show creator Barbara Walters.

Reynolds, appearing Thursday on CNN's "Larry King Live," said she'd been
told in April that she wasn't coming back but kept it secret. She
revealed it on Tuesday's show, taking Walters and ABC by surprise with
the timing.

The truth _ that Reynolds' ABC bosses didn't want her back because her
personal popularity was plummeting _ might never have been known without
the fight.

"They said you can make up a story," Reynolds said. "The audience didn't
deserve for me to make up a story. That's not fair."

Brandy Alexandre...

Clue to Star: A "story" wasn't for the show, or the audience, it was
to make YOU look good. You didn't want to and you've been running
around confirming that they made the right decision. Hello? Are you
paying attention?

marc0ni...

Of everything I've read on this, yours is the most succinct summation
of the situation. Indeed, it is even pithy.

Uniblab...

The show would have benefited from having its audience (at least those who
like Star Jones) think that Jones left of her own accord. It would have been
less embarrassing than this situation, and they wouldn't have alienated
Jones' supporters by having them know that ABC chose not to offer her
another contract. Sure, it would have benefited Jones as well, but ABC did
not offer her that option merely out of the goodness of their hearts.

Longtime ABC newswoman Walters has confirmed the intended deception, but
said it was done to protect Reynolds' reputation and feelings.

ABC said it canned Reynolds immediately after Tuesday's show because her
announcement, and an interview with People magazine, took the network by
surprise. Walters told The Associated Press that she felt betrayed and
ABC said it couldn't trust Reynolds to tell the truth if she remained on
the air.

Reynolds said she was "having trouble reconciling" ABC's statement with
being told earlier that she could lie about her exit.

Messalina...

Its called "leaving with your dignity intact." I can see why it would
puzzle you since you obviously never had any to begin with.

weberm...

Sounds like you have some major dignity issues of your own, but I can
emphasize why you'd be too embarassed to display your lack of reading
comprehension skills from your real account.

Cassie...

it really sounds like The View no longer wanted SJR on the show
(understandably, IMHO......) but they still wanted to allow her to
"save face" by letting her leave on whatever terms she decided.
Evidently, that just wasn't an option for her.

Uniblab...

She did leave on the terms she decided - she decided to tell the truth that
she was fired. Evidently, ABC feared the truth because it would be
embarrassing, so they punished her for telling the truth.

Kris Baker...

There really IS a difference between being fired, and your
contract not being extended. Star's an attorney, and she
knows better, but she's betting that the general public does not.

maybe just maybe we've seen the last of her......... (although I so
seriously doubt it........)

Brandy Alexandre...

Indeed. She was rambling on about fairness to the audience on Today
this morning, failing to understand the audience doesn't care about
behind-the-scene politics.

imaginehappiness...

Maybe I'm different but to me that's what's interesting is hearing
things we normally wouldn't be privy to like they didn't pick up her
contract and they tried to stage an exit that saved them face as well
by looking like they weren't the ones forcing her out.Whether one
agrees they were right to let her go or not the point is it's
interesting
to hear these things that we normally as a audience wouldn't
hear.That's why all those cameras swarm her before she's walks into the
building to do a Larry King interview.People want to know.I mean who
cares about Star Jones?It's what happened between her and the other
hosts that is drawing interest.That's my view anyway.

Bailey Legull...

Bravo! (Or "Brava!," as the case may be.)

When you're fired from a job, isn't it your right to give friends
whatever explanation you want? Or are you somehow required by law to
tell your family you're a grasping, egotistical boob who made America
sick? ABC and Barbara Walters offered Ms. Jones a courtesy, and only
the most brainless of boobs can read a conspiracy into that.