Barbara Walters tapes her final episode as co-host of 'The View'

NEW YORK, May 15 (UPI) -- Broadcasting legend Barbara Walters taped her final episode of The View Thursday and the program will air Friday.

Walters, 84, has served as co-host and producer of the show since its inception in 1997.

Thursday's edition of The View featured a reunion of the 11 women who have served as its co-hosts throughout its run. Joining the current panel of Walters, Whoopi Goldberg, Jenny McCarthy and Sherri Shepherd were former co-stars Joy Behar, Meredith Vieira, Star Jones, Elisabeth Hasselbeck, Lisa Ling, Rosie O'Donnell and Debbie Matenopoulos.

"For the first time in television history, all 11 co-hosts of ABC's The View, present and past, shared the same stage live to celebrate the show's creator Barbara Walters. Walters is the last remaining co-host of the original panel of five women she helped assemble," ABC said in a news release.