“The View,” known for its often-controversial takes and shallow discussions, has once again embarrassed itself, this time by squandering an opportunity to engage in a meaningful conversation with the legendary Morgan Freeman. Instead of delving into his illustrious career or the important themes of his new documentary, the hosts steered the conversation towards empty chatter and race-baiting, ultimately cutting the segment short and leaving viewers frustrated.

Freeman appeared on the show to promote his Netflix documentary, “Life on Our Planet,” which explores Earth’s history, the rise and fall of species, and life’s adaptation to catastrophic events. Unlike many environmental documentaries that push a doomsday narrative, Freeman’s film takes a more levelheaded approach, acknowledging that environmental changes have been happening for millions of years, long before human involvement.

However, Joy Behar couldn’t resist interjecting with her characteristic alarmism, prompting Freeman to subtly mock her over-the-top rhetoric. He emphasized the planet’s tenacity and suggested that human interference is the primary cause of environmental problems. Freeman’s calm and measured response served as a stark contrast to Behar’s fear-mongering, highlighting the documentary’s more nuanced perspective.

Sunny Hostin then seized the opportunity to steer the conversation towards race, asking Freeman about his documentary “761st Tank Battalion: The Original Black Panthers,” which chronicles the story of the first black armored battalion to fight in World War II. While the documentary is undoubtedly important, Hostin’s question felt like a forced attempt to inject race into a conversation that was initially focused on environmental issues and Freeman’s broader career.

Freeman, however, handled the question with grace and wisdom. He acknowledged the historical struggles faced by black actors in Hollywood, but subtly pushed back against Hostin’s narrative by emphasizing that black history is American history.

Adding insult to injury, the segment with Freeman was inexplicably cut short, leaving viewers feeling cheated out of a potentially insightful discussion. The fact that “The View” subsequently deleted the episode from its YouTube channel suggests that the hosts were aware of their failure to engage with Freeman in a meaningful way and were attempting to erase their embarrassment from the internet.

The incident highlights a recurring problem with “The View”: its tendency to prioritize sensationalism and political agendas over genuine intellectual curiosity. The hosts often seem more interested in pushing their own narratives than in listening to and learning from their guests.

Morgan Freeman, a man of immense talent and wisdom, deserved better. He should have been given the opportunity to share his insights on a range of topics, from his iconic film roles to his perspectives on life, history, and the environment. Instead, he was subjected to a shallow and ultimately disrespectful interview that did a disservice to both him and the viewers.

The ladies of “The View” missed a golden opportunity to engage in a thoughtful and enlightening conversation with one of the most respected figures in Hollywood. Their failure to do so is a testament to their own intellectual limitations and their unwavering commitment to pushing their own agendas, regardless of the cost.

In contrast to the shallow discourse on “The View,” Freeman’s appearance at the Oxford Union provides a glimpse of the wisdom he has to offer when given the opportunity to speak freely. In a clip that has gone viral, Freeman eloquently argues that there is no issue of race in Hollywood, explaining that the industry learned in the 1970s that “Hollywood is colorblind. It only sees green.”

This insightful observation stands in stark contrast to the race-baiting attempts of the hosts on “The View,” further highlighting their failure to engage with Freeman in a meaningful and respectful manner.

Ultimately, the interview on “The View” was a missed opportunity and a disservice to Morgan Freeman. It served as a reminder of the show’s tendency to prioritize sensationalism over substance and its failure to engage with guests in a respectful and intellectually stimulating way.