Longtime Donald Trump critic Joy Behar’s extended absence from The View sparked speculation about her future. However, the veteran comedian has no immediate plans to leave her longtime co-hosting job. The latest clarification puts rumors of a behind-the-scenes shake-up to rest as she prepares to return.
ABC representative denies allegations that producers planned to remove Joy Behar
An ABC representative pushed back against a report claiming producers wanted to remove Joy Behar from The View. Speaking to Entertainment Weekly, the representative said there was “no truth” to the allegation that the show planned to change its panel to make its discussions less combative and attract a wider audience.
Behar’s health had fueled the speculation. The 84-year-old dislocated her shoulder late last month and missed several weeks of broadcasts throughout October. Sunny Hostin addressed the situation on Oct. 1, reassuring viewers that Behar was recovering and expected to return.
The show’s production team subsequently offered a clearer timeline. Brian Teta, an executive producer, announced on the Behind the Table podcast that Behar would return on Tuesday, marking her first appearance since Sept. 30. “Joy is back,” Teta said, adding that the team had “missed her.”
Whoopi Goldberg wasn’t shy about admitting that The View missed Behar’s presence. During the show’s Oct. 7 birthday celebration, Goldberg read out a message from her co-host, who joked that bouncing back from an injury at her age took a lot longer than it did at 21. “But, since I’m an old bat, recuperating takes a bit longer,” The message read. Behar also promised to return and spill the details about what happened. Goldberg also stressed that the show did not feel the same without her.
Behar has been part of The View since day one, joining Barbara Walters when the show launched in 1997. But this isn’t her first injury-related break. Last year, she revealed that an iPad had taken down one of her toes after she accidentally dropped the device on her foot.
