Tyler James Williams looks back at his first appearance on ‘The View’ and working with Whoopi Goldberg
NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: 'Abbott Elementary' star Tyler James Williams appeared alongside co-hosts Whoopi Goldberg, Sara Haines, Joy Behar, Sunny Hostin, and Alyssa Farah Griffin on the February 19 episode of 'The View'.
In addition to discussing his SAG and Golden Globe-winning performance as Gregory Eddy in the critically acclaimed series, the actor also remembered his first appearance on the show 18 years ago, and what it felt like to work with Goldberg in the sitcom, 'Everybody Hates Chris'.
Tyler James Williams shares why his role on @AbbottElemABC as an educator is so special, calling the "wild ride" of the hit sitcom "one of the greatest honors" of his career. https://t.co/cVclFZQU98 pic.twitter.com/HAxMZTeIcA
— The View (@TheView) February 20, 2024
Tyler Williams' first appearance on 'The View'
Behar shared that Williams first appeared on the set of 'The View' back in 2006, at the age of 13. She happened to be the only one among the co-hosts to be on the show back then.
A clip was played from the episode showing the young actor's entrance, the co-host asked him what he remembered from back then.
"Uhh... I was 13," began Williams, "But I remember things about how I felt at the time. I remember it being a good day, and I remember feeling very comfortable."
"And when you're that age, not everything in this world feels that way. And that's what I remember ... feeling like I was supported in a warm room."
"You talked about your mother. So maybe being surrounded by women makes you feel comfortable?" quipped Behar.
"Pretty much, yeah. You're not wrong," replied Williams, earning a solid laugh from everyone.
Sharing screen with Whoopi Goldberg
Another clip was played, showing a scene from 'Everybody Hates Chris,' where Goldberg's character was seen warning Williams, who played a young Chris Rock, "Stay away from my granddaughter, you cock-eyed hooligan."
"Did you feel warm and comforted in that situation," co-host Haines jokingly enquired.
"I remember that day distinctly ... There was this interesting feeling of mild intimidation but then also inspiration," responded Williams. "That was the day I realized that certain people are just really good at this comedy thing."
"You came out with 6 or 7 alternatives for that line," he told Goldberg. "And I'd never seen that before. I've never seen somebody go into a room, come out, give a line and it was a heater, and go back in, come back out, and it was..."
"My favorite one ... it was 'two-toned runt.' You called me a two-toned runt, and I was like..." he added, as everyone bursted out laughing again.
Williams shared what he realized that day. "I need to get really good at this because there were people who are very, very good at this," he said.
"I was 12 at that moment," he replied when Behar asked about his age back then, "But I'll never forget that day."
.@AbbottElemABC star Tyler James Williams looks back at his first appearance on #TheView at only 13 years old and sharing the screen with our own Whoopi Goldberg on the sitcom 'Everybody Hates Chris' in 2009! https://t.co/cVclFZQmjA pic.twitter.com/YyeFRCQBRj
— The View (@TheView) February 20, 2024
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