DIXIE CHICKS - DIXIE CHICKS UPSET US TALK SHOW

Country trio THE DIXIE CHICKS have infuriated the hosts of US TV show THE VIEW, after claiming they were 'above' appearing on the show. The GOODBYE EARL hitmakers are very selective about which programmes they appear on to promote their new album TAKING THE LONG WAY and say they hope to emanate their musical and political hero BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN. In an interview with Time magazine, frontwoman NATALIE MAINES says her new motto is, "What would Bruce Springsteen do?" Band member EMILY ROBISON adds, "Not that we're of that calibre, but would Bruce Springsteen do The View?" After reading the article, angry The View co-host JOY BEHAR ripped up the offending interview live on air yesterday (23MAY06), declaring, "They're... not doing... The View. "It's one thing to diss the (GEORGE W) BUSH administration, it's treason to diss The View." The show's moderator MEREDITH VIEIRA fumed, "We are furious. This is obnoxious, obnoxious. "We started these girls - back in 1998, they couldn't get arrested. We were one of the first national shows to give them a platform, because they deserve a platform - they are incredibly talented performers."