Who’s dissing whom?
Legendary performer Barry Manilow says he is snubbing the ladies of “The View.” Specifically, Elisabeth Hasselbeck.
Oh, there’s just never a dull moment on that daytime chatfest.
Manilow went public today saying he is backing out of his scheduled appearance on the ABC talk show because producers refused to allow him to be interviewed by all the ladies except Hasselbeck.
The message on Manilow’s blog reads:
“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 Hasselback [sic]. 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 that I will be on a whole slew of other shows promoting the new album so I hope you can catch me on those.”
To shed some light on Manilow’s move, you have to realize that the singer is a dear friend of former “View” co-host (and Hasselbeck nemesis) Rosie O’Donnell. What’s more, Manilow and his pal Ro recently recorded a duet together. According to the popular entertainer, the two recorded Elton John’s “Don’t Go Breaking My Heart.” However, the track didn’t make the new album.
But is Manilow’s relationship with O’Donnell the sole reason for him backing out of his “View” appearance.
Sources close to “The View” say “no way.” In fact, one source told TV’s “Access Hollywood” that Manilow is lying.
Show producers say they are the ones who cancelled the booking because they would not allow the Copacabana singer to dictate who would interview him. In addition, the source says Manilow’s appearance has been scheduled since July (which is after O’Donnell quit the show) and that the singer has appeared twice on the show in the past with Hasselbeck on the panel. (Which just tells me that Manilow can tolerate the young Republican to some degree.)
“View” sources went on to suggest Manilow went public today in order to ignite a controversy and create a buzz as his new album, “Greatest Songs of the Seventies,” gets ready to debut.
So who is dissing whom? Guess we’ll find out on tomorrow’s show.