No One in the Audience

For the past five months due to the COVID19 pandemic, Ripa and Seacrest were hosting their show virtually from home. The stars are back in their NYC studio shooting safely six feet apart, but with the power of technology, they're made to look like they are sitting next to each other. Also, due to the pandemic, there will be no audience and seats will remain empty.

Ripa misses the audience but thanked the home viewers for sticking with them during this time:

"The audience, of course, is the third co-host, keeping everybody safe is more important than having a boost to our egos, quite frankly."

John Leguizamo in the Studio

For today's guest John Leguizamo appeared in the studio who also sat at least six feet apart from the hosts. For the remainder of the summer, Ripa and Seacrest will offer advice and 'how-to's with the first week being dedicated to home improvements.

Sara Haines Is Back!

The View also premiered its groundbreaking season 24 with the return of Sara Haines. Haines returned to the 'Hot Topics' table along with hosts Whoopi Goldberg, Joy Behar, Sunny Hostin, and Meghan McCain. When Goldberg kicked off the show, she asked Haines how felt to be back and Haines shared:

"It honestly feels like home. I have been a fan of this show and the opportunity as a woman to sit at a table with such important conversations but I think it's more important than ever as we head into the election and when we'e surviving this unprecedented pandemic that we continue to have conversations, we investigate, we disagree, we push forward and I feel like now this is an even more than an honor than it has been before and more important than it ever has before."

Haines took over for Abby Huntsman, who left The View in January after appearing on the show for two seasons. Haines previously co-hosted on The View during 2016-2018 when she left to host ABC's afternoon show Strahan, Sara & Keke.

Back with Juicy Hot Topics

The View aired as usual beginning with a fiery episode talking about President Donald Trump and interviewed former White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders.

Be sure to check out the new seasons of Live with Kelly and Ryan and The View on ABC!