The View

The View

show

TV-14, 1997

WISE
32%

WISE Score

2.4

IMDb

A daily panel of strong opinions on current events that most kids will find significantly less interesting than literally anything else.

IMDb2.4
MC65
Common Sense Media
Where to Watch
Loading streaming options...
Where-to-watch data byJustWatch
Screenwise Verdict

Unless your kid is an aspiring political strategist or just really likes Whoopi Goldberg, this is a pass. It's a show designed for the daytime TV demographic—lots of crosstalk, high-volume debates, and topics that range from celebrity gossip to heavy geopolitical conflict. It’s not 'dangerous,' it’s just not for them.

The real issue here is the boredom factor. Most kids will tune out within three minutes of a discussion on tax policy or Supreme Court rulings. If you want to get your kid into the news, there are dozens of better ways that don't involve five people shouting over each other in a studio.

Age Fit

This is strictly for adults and maybe the occasional politically-obsessed 14-year-old. For anyone younger, it's a mix of boring policy talk and confusing social conflict.

WISE Breakdown
Wholesome
30

The show is built on conflict and crosstalk. While it features diverse perspectives, the tone is often argumentative and reactionary rather than modeling calm or cooperative communication.

Imaginative
10

It is a standard daytime talk show format. There is zero creative world-building, exploration, or artistic expression involved.

Safe
65

It follows daytime broadcast standards, so no nudity or graphic violence. However, 'Hot Topics' frequently cover heavy mature themes like sexual assault, political violence, and crime without warning.

Enriching
45

It provides exposure to current events and different political viewpoints, but the shallow, fast-paced nature of the segments often prioritizes 'the take' over deep understanding.

Parent Info
✓

Why It Might Be Great

  • Current events exposure for teens who are starting to take an interest in national politics and social issues.
  • Diverse viewpoints (theoretically) are represented, offering a look at how different people interpret the same news story.
  • Media literacy opportunity to discuss how talk shows use conflict to drive ratings and engagement.
⚠

What to Watch For

  • The 'Hot Topics' segment regularly handles sensitive news like school shootings or sexual misconduct with very little lead-in.
  • The argumentative tone can be stressful for younger kids who don't understand the performative nature of daytime TV debate.
  • Segments are often highly partisan, requiring a lot of parental context to explain why the hosts are reacting the way they are.

Conversation Starters

  • "Did you notice how they all started talking at once? Why does that make it harder to understand their points?"
  • "Why do you think they chose to talk about that specific news story today instead of something else?"
  • "Do you think it's possible for two people to disagree that strongly and still be friends?"

Deep Dive

The Daytime Shouting Match

The View has been a staple of daytime television since 1997, but its relevance to a modern kid’s media diet is essentially zero. The show thrives on a 'Hot Topics' format where the hosts react to the most viral or controversial news of the morning. While this can occasionally lead to a meaningful discussion, it more often results in a soundbite-driven argument that prioritizes heat over light.

The Conflict-as-Entertainment Problem

For a parent trying to model healthy discourse, The View is a bit of a nightmare. The hosts frequently interrupt one another, use sarcasm as a primary weapon, and lean into 'clippable' moments. If a kid watches this, they aren't learning how to debate; they're learning how to perform an opinion. This isn't a critique of the hosts' intelligence—they're all pros—but a critique of the format itself, which is engineered to keep viewers from changing the channel during a commercial break by keeping the tension high.

Better Alternatives

If you have a teen who genuinely wants to understand the world, skip the panel format. Point them toward long-form journalism, curated news apps, or even high-quality video essays that take the time to explain the history behind a conflict rather than just the morning's headlines. The View is background noise for the gym or the dentist's office; it's not a curriculum for a curious mind.

What Parents Ask

Stills
The View — still 1
The View — still 2
The View — still 3
The View — still 4
The View — still 5
The View — still 6
The View — still 7
The View — still 8

Ask Anything

Get a personalized guide on any topic

Related Guides
Writing about The View? Put this WISE score on your site