It's a new start for "The View," which premiered its 18^th season on Monday. Joining Whoopi Goldberg were three new hosts: Rosie O'Donnell, Rosie Perez, and Nicolle Wallace.

The ladies got the show started by honoring Barbara Walters, who ended her run on the ABC series, which she created, last season.

Walters sat on a throne as the new ladies of the series kissed her ring.

"Go out there and let them see why we have the best show on daytime television," said Walters.

As for the day's hot topics, the hosts launched into a discussion about the Ray Rice scandal.

"This seems to have surprised a lot of people," said Goldberg, referring to the release of a video showing Rice punching his wife. Rice recently received an indefinite suspension by the NFL.

"I mean, just personally, I don't understand why they're freaked out now," continued the comedienne. "Because when the incident happened, he never said he didn't do it. He said this is what happened. And yes, now four months later it's like they said, 'Oh, now that we have seen it, we're going to take away his endorsements.' Why is it worse now than it was five months ago? I don't understand." 

O'Donnell responded by questioning the sport of football, which she feels promotes rough behavior. "Believe me, I don't excuse any violence towards anyone but I do understand how a guy who knocks people over and pushes them down for a living and gets cheered might do that in his private life, even though it's wrong," said O'Donnell.

Perez refuted her "View" colleague's claim, saying, "Nelson Mandela was a boxer. He was the most peaceful man on this planet. So that's not necessarily true. It may be true for a lot but not true for all."  

As for Wallace, she and Goldberg had some fun when the senior host attempted to introduce her new Republican counterpart.

In an effort to explain Wallace's background as senior advisor for the 2008 John McCain/Sarah Palin campaign, Goldberg broke out into a fit of giggles.

"You can't even say it! What am I doing here? You cannot even say it," exclaimed Wallace, while Goldberg chuckled.

"I can't say it because let's face it, she didn't know what to do with you," Goldberg finally replied. "You would say 'Don't say this, don't do that'...and when she messed it up, she blamed it on you."

So it looks like we can expect a lot of new on "The View" this season. New voices. New opinions. And, of course, new entertainment.