Whoopi Goldberg Slams Barbara Walters on The View Test Show?! ABC Calls Rumors "Absolutely Absurd"

"Unless you were there and heard it first hand, this is nothing more than mean and hurtful rumor," the network tells E! News

Do we have another celebrity feud on our hands? Unfortunately for those who are eager to hear some juicy gossip of star-on-star dramz, it doesn't seem to be the case.

The rumor mill was all abuzz after reports claimed that Whoopi Goldberg slammed Barbara Walters following a test shoot of The View with potential co-host candidates by saying, she's been "working with a cranky 85-year-old woman who's mad about everything for 2 years, and I need a break."

But ABC reps tell E! News that this is "absolutely absurd."

"Someone has tried to stir this pot before. This is absolutely absurd. Whoopi is a consummate professional and has an enormous amount of respect for Barbara with whom she has a professional and personal relationship," the rep tells E! News in a statement.

"Unless you were there and heard it first hand, this is nothing more than mean and hurtful rumor."

As for who will replace Sherri Shepherd and Jenny McCarthy, a network rep tells us, "Chemistry tests were conducted yesterday with Whoopi and Rosie [O'Donnell]. No decisions have been made and there is nothing to announce at this time." Additionally, it's been revealed that longtime executive producer, Bill Geddie, will no longer be involved in day-to-day production.

In June, E! News confirmed that ABC was bringing Rosie back to The View to join Whoopi for next season. O'Donnell famously exited the talk show in 2007, one month before her contract was set to expire, after a heated argument with fellow co-host Elisabeth Hasselbeck, who also later exited The View and now works for Fox & Friends.