Why Joy Behar Is Still Missing From 'The View'
Those who tuned into The View today were greeted by co-stars Whoopi Goldberg, Sara Haines, Sunny Hostin, Alyssa Farah Griffin, but no Joy Behar.
Behar was also out several days earlier in the month, with Star Jones filling in for her mid-week last week, followed by coverage from Goldberg on Friday. After days of no Behar, the Sister Act alum eventually revealed that her longtime co-host was out all week for an exciting reason.
"Joy is not here," Goldberg, 69, said during the Feb. 6 broadcast. "We wish her a happy opening night. It’s tonight," she added of Behar's new off-Broadway show My First Ex-Husband, which opened at Mac-Haydn Theater in New York last week. Along with Behar, the play also stars Susie Essman, Tovah Feldshuh, and Adrienne C. Moore.
Fast-forward to Monday's episode of the long-running ABC morning talk show and fans expecting to see Behar return were likely disappointed upon realizing she still wasn't there.
Even though today marks a full week of absences for Behar, there's no need to be concerned, at least not yet. As the show's most loyal viewers know, Behar, like Goldberg, only works four days a week and she's usually absent for Monday tapings.
As for Goldberg, she's normally off on Fridays, during which Behar serves as lead moderator. But as we saw last week, sometimes that changes to accommodate scheduling needs.
That said, according to the official performance schedule for Behar's new play, she's expected to be part of the ensemble for two more weeks before it rotates with an all-new lineup of performers–including Judy Gold, Susan Lucci, Cathy Moriarty and Tonya Pinkins–taking the stage starting on Wednesday, Feb. 26.
With live performances scheduled five days per week through Sunday, Feb. 23, it's going to be a busy couple of weeks for the media personality.
Next: 'The View' Announces Major Shakeup to the Long-Running Weekday Talk Show