Friday’s episode of the ABC talk series marks the second year in a row hosts have skipped the costumes

Whoopi Goldberg dresses as Vampirina in 2018 on “The View.” (ABC)

“The View” revealed Monday that hosts Whoopi Goldberg, Sunny Hostin, Joy Behar, Sara Haines and Alyssa Farah Griffin will not be dressing in costume for Halloween for the second year in a row.

The reason? Executive producer Brian Teta feels the panel can’t otherwise do the talk show’s popular Hot Topics segment, where they tackle the hot social and political issues of the day.

“The honest truth is we can’t do Hot Topics when we’re dressed up,” Teta said on “The View” podcast “Behind the Table” Tuesday. “You don’t want to talk about the Middle East while you’re dressed as Little Orphan Annie, it seems a little ridiculous.”

🎃 “NO COSTUMES AGAIN?!” — Whoopi Goldberg and The View Hosts STUN Fans by Skipping Halloween Costumes for the Second Year in a Row 😱👻

It’s the one day a year when The View usually goes full chaos — wigs, glitter, fake blood, and political jokes that land somewhere between hilarious and horrifying. But this Halloween, the ABC talk show’s hosts have shocked fans yet again.

For the second year in a row, Whoopi Goldberg, Joy Behar, Sunny Hostin, Sara Haines, and Alyssa Farah Griffin are skipping their famous costumes.

No witches. No superheroes. No surprise celebrity impersonations.

Just the ladies — as themselves.

And while that might sound tame, the decision has already stirred up major debate among loyal viewers who live for the annual costume extravaganza.

“NO LITTLE ORPHAN ANNIE DISCUSSING THE MIDDLE EAST”

The news broke on The View’s official Behind the Table podcast earlier this week, when executive producer Brian Teta admitted the real reason behind the decision.

“The honest truth is we can’t do Hot Topics when we’re dressed up,” Teta confessed. “You don’t want to talk about the Middle East while you’re dressed as Little Orphan Annie — it seems a little ridiculous.”

Cue laughter — and then outrage.

Within hours, fans flooded social media, expressing disappointment that the beloved tradition was being shelved yet again.

“Halloween on The View used to be iconic! Where’s the fun?” one user wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
“It’s one day a year, Brian. We can handle serious news and fake blood,” another joked.
“Bring back Whoopi as Vampirina! That was PEAK television,” said another.

THROWBACK: WHOOPI AS VAMPIRINA 🧛‍♀️

Indeed, it’s hard to forget that moment in 2018 when Whoopi Goldberg strutted onto the stage dressed as Disney Junior’s Vampirina.

Blue skin, bat ears, and a perfectly mischievous grin — the Oscar winner went all-in on her costume, proving she could mix fright with flair. The audience roared, social media exploded, and The View’s Halloween episode quickly became a cult favorite.

“She was iconic,” one longtime viewer told Page Glam Daily. “You had to admire her commitment. Whoopi doesn’t do things halfway — if she’s in costume, she’s going to OWN it.”

WHY THE CHANGE?

But times — and topics — have changed.

Since 2022, The View’s producers have faced a growing challenge: balancing lighthearted entertainment with an increasingly tense political and social climate.

And according to Brian Teta, costumes make that balance nearly impossible.

“It’s hard to transition from talking about war or elections to joking about candy corn,” he explained on the podcast. “We tried, but it just doesn’t feel right.”

That rationale, while understandable, hasn’t stopped the disappointment from pouring in.

Some fans argue that The View’s Halloween tradition brought a sense of joy and unpredictability — something daytime TV could use more of.

“They’re overthinking it,” a fan commented on Instagram. “People watch The View for Hot Topics, sure, but also for the fun. Halloween is supposed to be fun!”

“HOT TOPICS CAN’T BE HOT IN A WIG”

Others, however, agree with Teta’s logic — especially after remembering how awkward some past episodes turned out.

In 2021, the show attempted to discuss climate change while dressed as pop culture icons. One host was a mermaid, another was a Minion, and Whoopi herself was wrapped in an elaborate gold ensemble that made her look like a futuristic pharaoh.

“It was impossible to take anything seriously,” a crew member told TV Insider. “Imagine debating world events while sitting next to Joy Behar dressed as a cartoon character. It’s surreal.”

That was apparently the moment producers decided something had to give.

“Whoopi hated it,” said a source close to the show. “She’s a pro — she loves a good laugh, but not at the expense of real conversation.”

THE VIEWERS DIVIDED 👀

Still, fans remain split.

While some praise the hosts for choosing professionalism over pageantry, others accuse the show of losing its spark.

“This is the one day we want them to go crazy,” one fan lamented. “Now they’re just… normal?”

“It’s sad,” another wrote. “Halloween on The View used to feel like a big TV event. You never knew what you were going to get.”

The hashtag #BringBackTheCostumes began trending briefly on X, fueled by nostalgic viewers posting throwback clips of Whoopi’s Vampirina look and Joy Behar’s 2016 Donald Trump parody.

WHOOPI SPEAKS OUT

While Whoopi herself hasn’t directly commented on the no-costume rule this year, she did address the issue last season, when fans first noticed the absence.

“Look, y’all — some years, we dress up. Some years, we don’t,” she said on air. “We’re not allergic to Halloween. We just have a lot to talk about.”

Translation? The world’s on fire, and maybe the fake fangs can wait.

Even so, her fans haven’t forgotten her past Halloween antics — or her impeccable comedic timing when it comes to themed chaos.

“Whoopi in costume is a national treasure,” one fan posted. “The fact that she once interviewed a U.S. senator while dressed as a vampire? That’s art.”

A SERIOUS SHOW — FOR NOW

The current plan, according to insiders, is to keep Halloween episodes “business as usual.” The women will still open with their trademark banter, dive into Hot Topics, and likely share a few Halloween jokes — sans wigs, masks, or elaborate makeup.

“There’s always a chance for a little surprise,” one producer hinted, “but don’t expect full costumes.”

That hasn’t stopped fans from hoping for at least something spooky.

“I’ll take a pumpkin brooch. Anything!” wrote one viewer on Facebook.

A NEW ERA OF THE VIEW 🎤

For better or worse, The View seems to be leaning toward substance over spectacle — a shift that reflects its growing role as a serious space for commentary and debate.

Still, as social media continues to buzz with memes of Whoopi’s old Vampirina costume, many can’t help but feel a little nostalgic.

“The world’s gotten heavy,” said one entertainment columnist. “Maybe that’s why people want the fun back. Whoopi as a vampire was silly — but it also made us smile.”

In the end, maybe that’s what this Halloween moment really represents: the eternal tug-of-war between levity and gravity, between Hot Topics and haunted houses.

Because whether they’re dressed as politicians, monsters, or themselves, one thing’s certain — The View never fails to get people talking.

And if history is any clue, Whoopi Goldberg might just have a trick (or treat) up her sleeve after all. 🎃💬