Former co-hosts join Barbara Walters ahead of her departure from The View.
It was a major reunion on Thursday's edition of ABC's The View as all current and former co-hosts of the popular daytime talk show came back to honor Barbara Walters, who launched the show in 1997, but is preparing to officially step down from her illustrious on-air career on Friday.
Former co-hosts to appear on Thursday's show and swap favorite stories about Walters were Star Jones, Rosie O'Donnell, Debbie Matenopoulos, Joy Behar, Lisa Ling, Elisabeth Hasselbeck and Meredith Vieira, who announced that the script from Thursday's show would be going to the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History to preserve the historic moment. "All we need is your signature," Vieira said, to loud audience applause.
VIDEO: Jenny McCarthy Drops Surprise Engagement News on The View
"I adore being with all of you," Walters said while herself signing the script. Jones also revealed a bracelet she gave to Walters that had 11 charms attached to represent each of her The View co-hosts. "We will forever be in your debt, we love you," Jones said. Walters' final appearance as a regular on The View will happen on Friday.
Walters responded to close out the show, "I love you all, I'm so proud that you're here, I'm so proud that we're still friends. I mean, not everybody can say that and work with people and still love them. I thank all you, I have been honored to share this table with you, and what do we say now, 'Have a great day everyone and take a little time to enjoy The View.'"