Former ABC News Anchor Carole Simpson 'Very Mad' After Being Left Out of Barbara Walters Send-Off
Carole Simpson, a former newscaster for both ABC and NBC alongside Barbara Walters, was not included among the 25 female journalists influenced by Walters who appeared in her send-off episode of THE VIEW on Friday, May 16.
Simpson called out ABC News via Facebook on May 17, saying: "I wonder why I wasn't included among the two dozen network newswomen and anchors who feted Barbara Walters at a private party and then on 'The View?' We both worked at NBC and ABC at the same times. She is my idol and I believe she knows that. At first I was very sad and now I am very mad. I guess ABC News, after my 24 years there, still considers me persona non grata. The black woman anchor, who had to speak her mind for herself and others, is erased from ABC history. I will say a solo goodbye to Barbara and ABC news can just..."
Walters made her final co-host appearance on THE VIEW on May 16, followed by a two-hour Primetime special celebrating her life and legacy that evening. On the episode of THE VIEW, in addition to surprise visits from Hilary Clinton and Michael Douglas, Oprah Winfrey stopped by the show to introduce 25 female journalists who were influenced by Walters -- excluding Simpson.
The episode drew 5.2 million total viewers, ranking as the series' No. 4 telecast in its 17-year history.
