Savannah Chrisley’s recent stint as a guest host on The View, filling in during Alyssa Farah Griffin’s maternity leave, proved to be a surprisingly nuanced experience for the Chrisley Knows Best star. While anticipating friction with some of the show’s more outspoken personalities, Chrisley found herself forging unexpected connections and challenging her own preconceptions.
Chrisley, who stepped into the role as the conservative voice on the generally liberal-leaning panel, admitted on the show’s Behind the Table podcast that she initially approached the assignment with certain expectations. “I came into this with some ideas of what was going to happen,” she confessed. “I thought Whoopi and Joy were going to be a pain in my ass and just these mean women. And I was wrong… Yes, I was wrong and I went into this, and it goes to show: stop judging.”
The most significant surprise, according to Chrisley, was her rapport with Joy Behar. Despite their differing political viewpoints, the two found common ground off-camera. “Joy and I had a blast off camera. I mean, she’s hysterical, and she was asking me about my parents,” Chrisley revealed. Behar’s line of questioning, however, was particularly pointed, given her past commentary on the Chrisley family’s legal troubles. “She was like, ‘What did they go to prison for?’ I go, ‘Joy, you should know. You called them “tax cheats.”’… It’s the funniest thing, though. Like, you literally tell her something, and she talks about it, and then she forgets it.” This anecdote highlights a playful dynamic, suggesting a willingness from Behar to engage with Chrisley on a personal level despite their public disagreements.
The experience wasn’t entirely without its challenges. Chrisley also described a more tense initial interaction with Sunny Hostin, the former federal prosecutor. The conversation, which occurred during a commercial break, centered around the legal case involving Chrisley’s parents. “I’m the only one at the table who believes differently. I thought there was going to be some contention. Day 1 was a little iffy. Sunny and I, we didn’t have words, but during a commercial break it was conversation about my parents, and she was like, ‘Well, didn’t a jury convict them?’ And I was like, ‘Did you know that prosecutors were spewing false information and there was Fourth Amendment violations, Brady violations?’ So there was a little hostility there.” Chrisley acknowledged her defensiveness, stemming from a deep loyalty to her family. “She’s a prosecutor, so I was like, ‘I’m not a fan of hers.’ But then today she and I had a conversation off camera. She was like, ‘Well, I didn’t understand this.’ And I was like, ‘I am sorry if I came off as defensive. It’s obviously my family and I’m always going to defend them.’”
This exchange underscores the complexities of navigating politically charged discussions, particularly when personal stakes are involved. Hostin’s professional background as a prosecutor naturally informed her perspective, while Chrisley’s unwavering support for her parents fueled her response. The fact that they were able to have a productive conversation off-camera, however, suggests a mutual respect and a willingness to understand each other’s viewpoints.
Chrisley’s week-long guest hosting gig wasn’t without its moments of on-air disagreement, including a heated exchange on regarding her defense of Donald Trump, as reported by multiple outlets. However, her overall impression of the experience was overwhelmingly positive. She expressed gratitude to the panelists for providing her with a platform to share her perspective and engage in challenging, yet respectful, conversations.
“I just want to thank you all for giving me a voice and allowing me to sit at the table and believe totally differently, but have conversations that are hard and respectful,” Chrisley said during her final appearance on . “It’s the moments off camera that people don’t get to see, where we really do have more in common than differences.” This sentiment was echoed by her co-hosts, with Sara Haines joking about Joy Behar’s unpredictable nature and Ana Navarro quipping about the lack of need for “electroshock therapy” after a week of lively debate.
Chrisley’s experience on The View serves as a reminder that even in the midst of political polarization, genuine connection and understanding are possible. Her willingness to challenge her own assumptions and engage in respectful dialogue with those who hold different beliefs offers a valuable lesson in navigating difficult conversations. While her time as a guest host has come to an end, the relationships she forged and the insights she gained are likely to resonate long after her departure.
