Joy Behar, the beloved longtime host of The View, is stepping away from the show for an extended leave of absence to focus on her other career projects, including her European tour for the stage play My First Ex-Husband. Fans will be in good hands, as comedian Sheryl Underwood and tech journalist Kara Swisher will fill in during her absence, while Whoopi Goldberg will take on Friday shows she usually has off.
The 83-year-old Behar announced her upcoming hiatus during an episode of Behind the Table podcast, detailing her travel plans. “I fly to Paris this week, then take the shuttle to London,” she said. “I’ll be performing in the second week at the Boulevard Theatre in the West End. Jackie Hoffman and I, the two American women talking, will be joined by two British actresses. Doesn’t that sound like fun?”
This is not the first time Behar has stepped away from the show. She previously took time off in January due to illness, with Ana Navarro filling in, and also missed several episodes in November after injuring her foot. Since the show’s premiere in 1997, Behar has become the longest-serving host in The View’s history, only briefly leaving for two years in 2013.
Her stage play, My First Ex-Husband, debuted in New York City in February 2025 and received largely positive reviews. While her return date has yet to be officially announced, Behar is expected to resume her hosting duties sometime in mid-June, much to the excitement of her fans.
