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Abby Huntsman surprised fans this week returning to The View as guest host. The former co-host had previously criticized the show’s “toxic culture.” Her decision raises questions about forgiveness and second chances in daytime television.
🔥 Quick Facts
- Return Date: March 23, 2026, filling in for Alyssa Farah Griffin’s maternity leave
- Previous Role: Co-hosted The View from 2018 to 2020, serving two seasons
- Why She Left: Became senior advisor to father Jon Huntsman Jr.’s 2020 Utah governor campaign
- Past Criticism: Called the show “toxic” in October 2021 podcast episodes
The Controversial Past: Why She Called The View ‘Toxic’
In October 2021, Huntsman launched her “I Wish Somebody Told Me” podcast and revealed harsh truths about her time on ABC’s flagship talk show. She explained that executives prioritized money and ratings over creating a healthy workplace environment. According to her podcast admissions, the show rewarded poor behavior behind the scenes.
“You would see people act in ways that were not OK,” Huntsman stated, describing specific instances of toxic interactions. She emphasized the contradiction: “Here we were going on the air criticizing others for toxic culture.” The experience left her emotionally drained after nearly two years as a panelist alongside Whoopi Goldberg, Sara Haines, Joy Behar, and Sunny Hostin.
Abby Huntsman returns to The View this week as guest host after slamming toxic culture
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Relief and Breathing Room: The Exit That Changed Her
Huntsman described a profound emotional shift when leaving the show. She explained that departing felt like liberation, comparing it to finally being able to breathe. “When I was walking out of the building that day, I was living again,” she revealed on her podcast. For almost two years, she said she hadn’t felt “present” in her own life.
Her father’s 2020 gubernatorial campaign provided what she called “a great out” from the pressure-cooker environment. Huntsman later admitted to podcast host the “Behindthe Table” that she felt trapped by producer expectations to be more bombastic and say controversial things to generate headlines.
From Criticism to Welcome Return
| Year | Event |
| 2018-2020 | Served as full-time co-host Huntsman |
| October 2021 | Revealed “toxic culture” criticism on podcast |
| 2021 | Guest hosted The View once, initially |
| 2024 | Returned again as guest host filling in |
| March 23, 2026 | Huntsman returns for full week as guest host |
Huntsman maintained relationships with co-hosts despite her exit criticism. She appeared as a guest host once in 2021 and again in 2024, each time receiving warm welcomes. This week marks another full-week engagement, showing the show and its former panelist have moved beyond the initial tensions.
“It’s like no time has passed. It’s weird sitting here, but congratulations to Alyssa. All the joy in the world.”
Abby Huntsman, on her first episode back
A Conservative Voice Returns to the Table
Huntsman, daughter of former Utah Governor Jon Huntsman Jr., brought her conservative political perspective back to the roundtable. The 39-year-old commentator previously worked for ABC News, appeared on MSNBC’s “The Cycle,” and hosted “Fox & Friends Weekend” before her View stint. Her return fills the seat of Alyssa Farah Griffin, currently on maternity leave.
During her first episode back on March 23, 2026, Huntsman discussed her evolved perspective on media and free speech. She expressed renewed passion for journalism despite her previous criticisms of the show’s internal dynamics, noting that concerns about democratic values have intensified in recent years.
Will This Complicated Return Signal Changes on The View?
Huntsman’s return raises questions about workplace harmony and whether specific toxic issues have improved. She once felt caught between personal values and producer demands for sensationalism. Does her willingness to return suggest transformation, or is she simply fulfilling a professional obligation? Only viewers watching this week can judge whether the View table dynamic has truly evolved or if Huntsman’s appearance represents performers making peace despite underlying concerns.
Sources
- TV Insider – Comprehensive coverage of Huntsman’s return and her previous podcast revelations
- The Daily Beast – In-depth reporting on toxic culture allegations and her evolution since 2021
- Yahoo Entertainment – Updates on why Huntsman agreed to return as guest host this week
