Sunny Hostin Writes 'Death Note' on Live TV
Sunny Hostin, 2020. Photo courtesy of LBJ Library. Public domain.
It started with a bite. It almost ended with a tragedy — live on national television.
On what should have been a breezy Wednesday episode of "The View," viewers had no idea that co-host Sunny Hostin was quietly experiencing a terrifying health crisis just inches away from the camera. It wasn't until Friday that the full story came out — and the footage proves it was far more serious than anyone realized.
A Deadly Surprise in the Greek Spread
The segment began innocently enough. Former co-host Debbie Matenopoulos had returned to the table with her new Greek cookbook and a generous spread of food for the hosts to sample live on-air. Smiles, chatter, and forkfuls of Mediterranean goodness — until Alyssa Farah Griffin asked a simple question: Were there walnuts in the dish?
Debbie's response? A casual yes.
That one word sent Sunny Hostin into quiet, immediate panic.
According to HuffPost, Hostin has a severe nut allergy, and walnuts are among her most dangerous triggers. The moment she heard the ingredient confirmed, her body stayed calm, but her mind — and the footage — reveal the storm brewing inside.
A 'Death Note' on Live TV
With cameras rolling and millions watching, Hostin opted for stealth. According to HuffPost, she flipped over a cue card and scribbled a chilling note: "I am allergic to walnuts." She passed it to Griffin beside her.
Griffin's wide-eyed reaction was caught on Friday's replay — but it had been cut from Wednesday's original broadcast. In the raw, unedited footage, Hostin's anxiety is palpable as Griffin reads the note, then scans her co-host's face for signs of distress. Executive producer Brian Teta, off-camera, mimed asking her if everything was alright. In her head, she was thinking, "No, it's not."
Panic, Protocol, and a Nurse in a Cape
The saving grace? A superhero team in scrubs. According to HuffPost, Hostin praised the show's on-set medical staff, especially Nurse Jan, who stormed in with epinephrine and clinical precision.
"They are like superheroes," Hostin said, according to HuffPost. "Nurse Jan came in with a cape, she had an epipen, she was testing me ... ."
Griffin later admitted she wasn't even sure what was happening at first. "I couldn't tell if she was having a reaction, I couldn't read [the card] at first," she said. Hostin commended Griffin for staying calm — something she herself couldn't manage. "I panicked," she admitted, according to HuffPost.
A Close Call That Could Have Been Fatal
This wasn't just a scare — it could have been anaphylaxis, the life-threatening reaction that can hit minutes after exposure. The show wrapped the segment quickly, and while Hostin avoided hospitalization, the situation was more dire than many realized.
According to HuffPost, Hostin claimed that she "almost died."
What makes the story even more haunting is that almost no one on set knew about her allergy — not even co-host Sara Haines. Haines said she had "no idea." Hostin, in a moment of vulnerable honesty, admitted she sometimes forgets to speak up about it herself.
"This hasn't happened to me in 10 years," she said, according to HuffPost. Usually, a family member informs restaurant staff. But on "The View," her usual safety net wasn't there — and that silence nearly turned deadly.
A Warning to the Millions Watching
The incident sparked an unexpected — and important — conversation. A 2016 Cornell University study cited by HuffPost found that only 2.5% of people receive help during public medical emergencies. For minorities, that number drops to just 1.8%.
If Sunny Hostin hadn't acted quickly — and had the medical team not been seconds away — this headline might have been written in memoriam.
And while the moment passed without lasting harm, the message was clear: allergies don't take breaks, and fame doesn't protect you from biology.
Hostin has since been praised for her candor — and viewers are praising the production team for their response. But let's not forget the hero of the hour: a nurse in a metaphorical cape, who didn't just save the show — she was there ready to save a life.
References: Footage Shows 'View' Host Visibly Panicked During Health Crisis Live On Air | 'The View' Host Has Allergic Reaction on Set
