Tear! Elisabeth Hasselbeck Says Goodbye to ‘The View’
After news broke Tuesday afternoon of Elisabeth Hasselbeck's move to "Fox & Friends," it's no surprise that Wednesday's episode of "The View" began with her formal announcement.
Barbara Walters had her arm around her colleague as they walked misty-eyed onto the set and sat down at that famous table.
"Today is officially my last day at 'The View,'" Hasselbeck confirmed, choking back tears, before turning to her co-hosts.
She started with Whoopi Goldberg, telling the actress, "It is undeniable that you are one of the most talented artists on this planet … but you are even more loving than you are talented. You are walking unconditional love, and I have counted on that love numerous times."
She told Joy Behar, who previously announced she'll be leaving the show in August, that even though they've spent the last decade sparring over politics, she has "the utmost respect" for her and even went so far as to say, "I love you."
Though she was absent from set, Sherri Shepherd also got an "I love you" from Hasselbeck, who went on to call her "my sister in Christ and my friend for life." Sherri soon tweeted in reply, "Love you too my sister-in-Christ... My bridesmaid... My friend. Who's hand will I hold under the table? Who will pray with me? @ehasselbeck #love."
But perhaps the most emotional goodbye was to Barbara.
"I did some math last night and I think I have spent over 3,000 days working by your side. I think it's fair to say that, over the course of a decade, I feel as though I have been through the Barbara Walters School of Broadcast Journalism and gotten my masters from being next to you," a teary Hasselbeck shared. "I feel more than prepared at this point, because of all that you've given me … to move forward."
For her part, Barbara (who, at this point, was basically crying) made it clear how she feels about her protégée.
"I have enormous affection for you," the iconic journalist, who will be retiring next year, explained before preemptively noting that they aren't going to replace Hasselbeck right away. "I know my emails are going to be inundated, but we are going to take our time, so don't send us any resumes, please," the "View" vet quipped.
Hasselbeck's other co-hosts shared warm wishes as well. Joy, who had already tweeted "Congrats to my Republican friend," noted her great appreciation for Hasselbeck's presence and professionalism. Even Whoopi got emotional as she called Hasselbeck "the cat's meow" and "a really good friend."
It seems, despite their slew of heated disagreements over the years, these ladies really do love each other. And we have to admit, seeing their tears of friendship truly made us smile.