Emotional Joan Rivers tribute on ‘The View’ season opener

Whoopi Goldberg (from left) is joined by her new lineup of co-hosts Nicolle Wallace, Rosie Perez and Rosie O’Donnell, as “The View” launched its new season Monday.

As “The View” launched it’s new season Monday — with a returning Whoopi Goldberg, a second start for Rosie O’Donnell, plus new show co-hosts Rosie Perez and Nicolle Wallace — the debut episode closed with a very emotional tribute to Joan Rivers.

Goldberg and O’Donnell, who were close friends with the comedian, explained they obviously wanted to pay tribute to Rivers who had been a guest on “The View” 34 times. Rivers had died while the show was still on its summer hiatus and in reruns.

Before airing a reel of the entertainer’s “View” highlight moments, Goldberg and O’Donnell introduced another close Rivers pal, singer and Tony Award winner Kristen Chenoweth, who brought both show co-hosts to tears with her rendition of “Borrowed Angels.”