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An emotional moment brought The View to a halt this morning as moderator Whoopi Goldberg fought back tears while announcing the departure of a longtime crew member who’s been with the show since its debut in 1997.
Near the end of the broadcast, the 68-year-old Goldberg surprised both the studio audience and her fellow co-hosts with what she called “a tribute we owe, and one I can barely get through.”
“You may not know their name,” she began, her voice wavering, “but if you’ve ever watched this show — you’ve seen their work, their energy, and their heart in every episode. They are part of The View. And today, we say goodbye.”
She was honoring executive stage manager Tony Rodriguez (name fictionalized), who has been with The View since the very first episode, working alongside Barbara Walters and the original panel.
“From wrangling chaos backstage to making sure every camera hit its mark, Tony has been the glue,” Goldberg continued, dabbing at her eyes. “And more than that — he’s our brother.”
A touching video montage followed, showcasing never-before-seen moments of Rodriguez through the years — from early production days to lighthearted behind-the-scenes clips with hosts like Joy Behar and Sherri Shepherd. As the tribute ended, the panel stood for a standing ovation, joined by an emotional audience clapping through tears.
Rodriguez then stepped onto the stage to a roar of applause, clearly moved by the heartfelt send-off.
“I’ve loved every minute of it,” Rodriguez said, his voice full of emotion. “Even the chaos. Especially the chaos. You are my family.”
He embraced each host warmly — with Whoopi’s hug lingering the longest — then cracked a smile and added, “Now I’ll finally get to watch this show from the couch like a normal person.”
Joy Behar, who’s also been with The View since its inception, couldn’t hide her emotions either:
“Tony’s the only one who’s been here longer than me — and probably heard me complain the most,” she said with a teary smile. “But he was also the first to make me laugh when I didn’t want to.”
ABC confirmed that Rodriguez is retiring “to focus on his family and travel,” though insiders admit his exit leaves “big shoes to fill” in a studio known for its high energy and live unpredictability.
“There’s no replacing someone like that,” co-host Sunny Hostin added. “You just say thank you — and wish them all the joy they’ve brought to us.”
When the show returned from break, Goldberg offered a final, heartfelt sendoff:
“You’ll always have a chair here, Tony. Thank you for everything — for every whisper in our ear, every fix, every laugh, every disaster you saved. This place won’t be the same without you.”
And in that moment — the woman who’s stood tall through fiery debates, backstage drama, and audience outbursts — let a single tear quietly fall.
