ABC’s The View delivered one of its most unintentionally entertaining moments this week, though it had nothing to do with the hosts’ usual political banter. Instead, hilarity erupted when an unexpected noise—one that sounded suspiciously like a cartoonish flatulence—stole the show. The incident occurred during a discussion about classified documents discovered at former Vice President Mike Pence’s home, but it wasn’t the political commentary that captured attention.
The scene unfolded as the hosts engaged in their typical heated debate, when suddenly, a drink spilled across the table. As the hosts scrambled to manage the mess, an audible and unmistakable “fart-like” sound echoed through the studio, cutting through the chaos like a sound effect from a comedy sketch.
The reaction from the hosts was priceless. While they tried to maintain their composure, the awkwardness was evident. Whoopi Goldberg, sitting at the center of the table, became the unintentional focus of the moment. The other hosts exchanged glances and suppressed laughter, while Alyssa Farah Griffin attempted—unsuccessfully—to continue discussing Pence’s documents. Griffin eventually broke into giggles, proving that even the most serious topics can be derailed by a perfectly timed noise.
A History of Hilarity
Though The View is no stranger to controversy or viral moments, this wasn’t the first time Whoopi Goldberg has been linked to a sound of this nature. According to People, Goldberg has previously recounted a playful elevator “fart war” she had with the late Robin Williams and Billy Crystal.
The anecdote, shared by Goldberg’s granddaughter, Amara Skye Dean, revealed a humorous side to the beloved comedian. “I wasn’t there, but my grandma told me about it,” Dean said. “Robin Williams was just farting his life away in the elevator while she and Billy Crystal joined in, making it a full-on contest.”
Dean also shed light on Goldberg’s unique name, jokingly tying it to her unapologetic embrace of humor. “My grandma got her name because she likes to fart a lot. So, whoopee cushions, farts—that’s how Caryn Johnson became Whoopi Goldberg.” It seems Goldberg’s legacy of flatulence-fueled comedy runs deep, adding an extra layer of humor to this already iconic View moment.
A Year of Memorable Mishaps
Whoopi Goldberg’s on-air antics aren’t limited to comedic sound effects. In 2023, she made headlines for a number of controversies and retractions. One particularly notable instance was her apology after implying that Turning Point USA, a conservative college organization, was associated with neo-Nazis.
“So, on Monday we talked about the fact there were openly neo-Nazi demonstrators outside the Florida Student Action Summit of the Turning Point USA group. We want to make clear these demonstrators were gathered outside the event and were not invited or endorsed by Turning Point USA,” Goldberg clarified.
This retraction marked her 34th of the year, further cementing her reputation as a polarizing figure on the panel. Despite—or perhaps because of—these frequent controversies, Goldberg remains a staple of the show, offering moments of humor, candor, and the occasional viral mishap.
The Iconic Fart Heard ‘Round the World
The flatulence fiasco on The View quickly went viral, sparking endless memes and commentary online. Social media users couldn’t get enough of the hosts’ reactions, with many joking that the incident was the most entertaining moment the show has offered in years.
Adding to the hilarity was the simultaneous chaos of the spilled drink, which the hosts struggled to clean up as the sound effect reverberated through the studio. The combination of these mishaps created a scene straight out of a slapstick comedy, leaving viewers laughing long after the segment ended.
Why We Love These Unscripted Moments
Moments like these remind us that even high-profile television personalities are human. The View is often criticized for its intense debates and politically charged discussions, but incidents like this offer a refreshing break from the norm. They showcase the lighter, more relatable side of the hosts and bring a sense of levity to an otherwise serious format.
Whoopi Goldberg’s candid approach to life—whether through humor, storytelling, or unintentional sound effects—continues to resonate with audiences. The fart heard ‘round the world might not have been planned, but it’s a moment that will undoubtedly go down in the show’s history as one of its most unforgettable—and entertaining—highlights.
