Joy Behar, the veteran co-host of "The View," has officially ended her extended hiatus, returning to the popular talk show after missing six consecutive episodes. The 83-year-old comedian and panelist, whose absence had sparked speculation among viewers, disclosed the reason for her 11-day break, attributing it to a health-related issue. Her much-anticipated comeback was marked by a festive atmosphere, as the show dedicated a segment to a baby shower for her fellow co-host, Alyssa Farah Griffin.
Behar's return on Tuesday morning saw her rejoining her colleagues at the iconic Hot Topics table. This particular broadcast held a special significance, celebrating the impending arrival of Alyssa Farah Griffin's first child with a heartwarming baby shower. Initially, the co-hosts, including Behar, did not explicitly address her absence, smoothly transitioning into the day's discussions.
Last week, Whoopi Goldberg, the show's moderator, briefly touched upon Behar's disappearance, stating, "We want to let you know Joy is out, she's not feeling well, so we want her to feel better and get her behind back here." However, at that time, no further details regarding Behar's condition were provided. While Behar's recent six-episode break was her longest in recent memory, two of those absences were part of a pre-arranged schedule where she and Whoopi Goldberg alternate their days off. Typically, Behar takes Mondays off, while Goldberg is absent on Fridays, with Ana Navarro stepping in to fill their roles.
Previously, Behar had also missed four episodes of "The View" in November of last year. Upon her return then, she light-heartedly revealed that the cause of that earlier absence was a broken toe, sustained when she accidentally dropped her iPad on her foot. She humorously cautioned the audience against such incidents, emphasizing the pain it caused.
During Behar's most recent absence, her co-hosts delved into a diverse array of current events and pop culture topics. Discussions ranged from Bad Bunny's historic Grammy win as the first artist to secure Album of the Year with a Spanish-language album, to the arrest of journalist Don Lemon on federal charges connected to an anti-ICE protest he had reported on in Minnesota. The show also saw co-host Sara Haines express emotional distress on the "Behind the Table" podcast, reflecting on the overwhelming nature of consistently covering grim news stories and feeling a lack of respite from difficult global events.
Joy Behar's return to "The View" not only brought an end to her recent, unexplained absence but also offered viewers a personal insight into her health. Her presence was particularly poignant during the celebratory baby shower for Alyssa Farah Griffin, signifying a return to normalcy and camaraderie at the Hot Topics table. The period of her absence highlighted the show's continuous engagement with pressing issues, even as co-hosts grappled with the emotional weight of their journalistic responsibilities.