The View: Did Whitney Houston’s Untimely Death Save Her From A Legacy As A ‘Sad Has-Been’?

by Sarah Devlin | 2:19 pm, February 22nd, 2012

» 10 comments

This morning, The View panel discussed a recent Radar Online post claiming that toxicologists have discovered a combination of several prescription sedatives in Whitney Houston’s bloodstream at the time of her death, namely Xanax, lorazepam, and valium. This was a preliminary autopsy report, so the record has not been set officially straight, but the panel took the opportunity to question why people find the cause of Houston’s death so fascinating. Sherri Shepherd stated the obvious — that Houston’s relative youth made her death all the more tragic and compelling, like Marilyn Monroe, James Dean and other stars who died young.

Talk also turned to psychologist and frequent television contributor Dr. Judy Kuriansky, who wrote an essay that appeared on Radar Online about the good timing of Whitney Houston’s death.

She wrote:

…In death, she was recognized, lauded and idolized once more as a legend. Stars of all kinds paid homage to her brilliance and performers like Jennifer Hudson choked [up] while singing her songs in tribute. None of that would have happened if she had stayed alive and attended the celebrations, as a sad has-been. By dying on that night, she insured being celebrated — on the big stage, by everyone. Certainly no one could be politically incorrect by focusing on her decline, drug-use and career demise at that moment.

Um…sounds about right for a doctor who loves appearing on television! I’m going to go out on a limb and guess that it was that essay that was responsible for Sherri Shepherd’s expression of utter disgust for the remainder of the segment. You can see the clip here via ABC:

[Radar Online]

Barbara Walters, Elisabeth Hasselbeck, judy kuriansky, Radar Online, Sherri Shepherd, The View, Whitney Houston, Whoopi Goldberg

http://pulse.yahoo.com/_45S32GWGDRUJIL6E2U4HOZW4BM Bob

She agreed to do an embarrassing reality show with her husband – I think that pretty much put her in has-been territory. Reality TV is where celebrities go when they have nothing left to lose.
http://profile.yahoo.com/RKLFFXBQV4Z3EL2WBZQ2CAPMC4 Jim

That’s funny since The View’s panel is always a make up of sad has-beens combined with never-was-in-the-first-place.
Anonymous

Hate to say it, but it’s probably true. From what I read, Whitney Houston was already wearing dentures (tooth problems due to drug use), had been told that she had permanently damaged her vocal chords, and had borrowed money from Clive Davis to keep her homes from being foreclosed on. Now, everyone remembers her at the height of her career, not as a woman whose career and life were destroyed by drugs and alcohol.
Anonymous

Um…except that her life was destroyed by drugs and drugs are referenced as the main reason her career virtually ended 20 years ago. She will be remembered as a person with enormous talent that tossed it all away for the pipe.
http://www.facebook.com/people/Sylvia-Richardson/1403564105 Sylvia Richardson

And, of course, everything we read is the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth! People question what is written in the Bible, but accept without question just about anything that appears in the gossip columns and tabloids and take as gospel what “sources” that are close to the stars or other celebrities say! Whitney had flaws just as like ALL of us! I will remember her for her musical genius and her irreplaceably beautiful voice. May she rest in peace, and may we just let her be – FINALLY!!!
Anonymous

Kinda harsh, but oh well.
Anonymous

http://lnk.co/IHTX5
Anonymous

True, but she still looked fairly good and is being lionized since she died. Since mostly people try to not speak ill of the dead, her drug/alcohol problems, physical problems and financial problems are mostly being glossed over. The financial problems will be ameliorated due to a resurgence in sales since she died. More of a James Dean death than a fat Elvis death.
http://profile.yahoo.com/3SKMYNJOMXI54NQOHMWOJK5ZLI PHILIP

Jim, now that right there, made me blurt my coffee out…dead funny.
Anonymous

Whitney Houston was troubled…thats why she would to find ”peace” with drugs.
This woman was a drug addict.Most of her ”friends” try to protect her …saying she was not a drug addict.The truth is””She was a drug ADDICT”