Daytime television staple Joy Behar is stepping away from “The View,” but only temporarily. On Tuesday’s episode of the Behind the Table podcast, Behar announced she will take an extended hiatus starting in June to take her stage play, “My First Ex-Husband,” to London’s West End.
Despite rampant fan speculation about a permanent exit, executive producer Brian Teta confirmed the daytime legend will return to her seat after a rotation of guest hosts fills in.
A Passion Project in London
The 83-year-old original panelist is stepping away to focus on her thriving theatrical career. Behar revealed that her upcoming hiatus is dedicated entirely to staging her play, “My First Ex-Husband,” at the Boulevard Theatre in London’s West End. Before heading to the United Kingdom, Behar plans to spend a week vacationing in Paris.
Behar detailed her upcoming schedule on “The View,” Behind the Table podcast, noting, “I fly to Paris this week, and then I go take the tunnel to London after a week, and I’ll be in London a second week doing my play”. Adding to the excitement is who the morning show host will be starring alongside for the London production.
“We have Jackie Hoffman and I… the two American women talking, then we have two British actresses. Doesn’t that sound like fun?”
Filling the Empty Seat
GettyTo minimize her absence, Behar spent the weeks leading up to her trip “banking” pre-taped segments. Executive producer Brian Teta noted on the podcast, “This is your last podcast for a little bit, because next week you’re not going to be here. Are we talking about this?”
Behar quipped back, “Well, they made me bank the weekend shows even though I’m not here. You better tell people why I’m not [here]”. For the live weekday broadcasts, Teta confirmed that the show has finalized a rotating lineup of guest co-hosts—including media figures like Kara Swisher and Sheryl Underwood—to keep the Hot Topics table moving until the comedy legend reclaims her iconic chair.
Retirement is Not on the Table
GettyThis temporary departure has naturally reignited rumors about Behar’s future with the franchise she helped launch in 1997. However, the daytime icon has repeatedly shut down talk of permanent retirement. Behar has publicly maintained that “creative people don’t really retire” and recently emphasized that the only thing she would truly miss about the daily grind is working alongside her co-stars.
What’s Next for Joy
While Behar’s sharp wit will be missed at the Hot Topics table this June, fans can rest assured that her departure is merely a brief intermission. At 83, the daytime icon remains as driven as ever, proving that her passion for the spotlight—whether on television or the West End stage—isn’t fading anytime soon. Audiences can catch her pre-taped segments on “The Weekend View” and look forward to an exciting return to the live panel later this summer.
