Entertainment gossip and news from Newsweek’s network of contributors
Whoopi Goldberg dismissed conspiracy theories linking recent natural phenomena to apocalyptic predictions on the April 8 episode of The View, in a discussion sparked by co-host Sunny Hostin.
Hostin had raised concerns, fueled by her makeup artist’s reaction to the rare New York City earthquake on April 5 and the day’s solar eclipse, that such events could be divine omens.
“Our wonderful makeup artist, when the earthquake was happening, she put her coat on and she was like, ‘Jesus is coming. I’m out. I’m leaving… we’ve got a solar eclipse, and an earthquake… the Rapture is here.'” Hostin went on to explain how she just found out that two different Cicadas will be appearing as well.
Janette Pellegrini/WireImage
Goldberg, 68, countered with a reminder of the predictability and scientific reasoning behind these events: “They’ve known about the eclipse coming because eclipses happen and they actually can say when these things are gonna happen.” She emphasized, “So all these folks who are saying, you know, it’s a sign from God — God doesn’t give you warning. OK? You think he gave people at the Tower of Babel a warning? ‘Oh, I’m about to jack y’all up.’ No!”
She elaborated on the cicada phenomenon, explaining their regular 17-year cycle and occasional 20-something-year appearances, noting, “They make noise and have sex.”
While the topic intrigued most of the co-hosts and their anticipation for the solar eclipse, Joy Behar expressed indifference due to her aversion to the sun, prompting Goldberg to humorously encourage her to “mess with the sun and then get back in the room.”
The solar eclipse cast its shadow onto 13 states as the moon crossed the sun’s path. The path of totality, marking the areas that experienced complete darkness, began in Mexico, swept across the U.S. through Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Kentucky, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, New York, Pennsylvania, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine.
Uncommon Knowledge
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.