Rosie O'Donnell, Whoopi Goldberg Spar Over Bill Cosby And Ferguson Coverage Backstage On 'The View': Report

Things have certainly been heating up on “The View” since ABC brought back controversial co-host Rosie O’Donnell. Now the 52-year-old former comedian is squaring off with fellow panelist Whoopi Goldberg over the recent Bill Cosby rape allegations and the controversy in Ferguson, Missouri, the New York Daily News reports.

Before the cast dramatically had it out on Thursday’s show, the Daily News reports that the real drama happened behind-the-scenes. According to an unnamed inside source, O’Donnell and Goldberg got into another huge argument about how to cover these controversial subjects on the show.

“There’s terrible frustration and there are problems,” the source told the outlet. “Whoopi didn’t want to talk about Cosby and Ferguson, Rosie (O’Donnell) did — how could you not? These are topics that are uncomfortable for everyone, but it’s ‘The View’ and it’s their job to talk about topics that might make some people tense.”

Apparently, the tiff exploded into a screaming match between the two on-screen stars as well as O'Donnell and the producers. The entire event allegedly left the show’s other Rosie, Rosie Perez, in tears.

Ultimately, the segment made it to air during in a clip that can be viewed via "The Wrap." Goldberg introduces the segment and brings up the rape allegations facing comedian Bill Cosby. Rosie seemed ready to pounce on the subject and condemn the 77 year old for the recent slew of women who have come forward accusing him of raping them in the past.

“There are lots of allegations, starting in 1969,” O’Donnell said. “There are many, many, many and it’s very hard, I think, for any of us to discuss Bill Cosby in this context.”

Perez attempts to dodge a conversation that implies Cosby’s guilt by discussing the fact that the court of public opinion is more easily swayed these days thanks to social media. Unfortunately for the “Do The Right Thing” actress, O’Donnell wasn’t letting her off the hook. She presses her about Cosby’s guilt.

“Online does have power today, whether we like it or not. That's my only point. It seems as if you're getting upset at me. I'm not saying the man is guilty, I'm not saying the man isn't guilty. I'm saying that that's not my business,” Perez said.

“As a woman, it’s not your business?” O’Donnell snapped back.

Things got more tense from there when, for seemingly no reason, O’Donnell asks Goldberg if she’s mad.

“I was just moving my chair, Rosie,” Goldberg replied.

The tension on-screen doesn’t necessarily prove that the behind-the-scenes fight happened, however, it would certainly make sense. Back in September, news leaked that the Goldberg and O’Donnell got into it during a commercial break while a stunned crowd watched in silence.