Entertainment
‘The View’ Fans Concerned As Missing Host’s Absence Drags Past 84th Birthday
Joy Behar’s absence from “The View” stretched through her 84th birthday Wednesday as the longtime co-host continues recovering from a shoulder injury suffered backstage.
Behar has been away from the ABC daytime show for several days after dislocating her shoulder in an on-set accident.
Her co-hosts marked the occasion without her at the table.
“We want to wish a happy birthday to our Joy Behar,” moderator Whoopi Goldberg said at the start of Wednesday’s episode.
Goldberg then shared a message from Behar addressing both her birthday and her recovery.
“We have a message from Joy, she said, ‘Despite sharing a birthday with Vladimir Putin, she does not have the Russian plague. She’s still healing up after hurting her shoulder,’” the actress added.
The screen behind the panel displayed a photo of Behar along with a large birthday message as the rest of the hosts wished her well.
Behar also missed a live taping of “The View’s” official podcast, “Behind the Table,” at City Winery in New York City on Tuesday night.
We’re sending birthday wishes to our beloved @joyvbehar! 🎉🎊 https://t.co/MNXNACecno
— The View (@TheView) October 7, 2026
Whoopi Goldberg, who is not a regular participant on the podcast, attended in Behar’s place.
Photos from the event showed the panel together without Behar, fueling more questions from viewers about when the veteran host will return.
A representative for the show previously said the injury happened when Behar caught a heel backstage.
“Joy caught a heel backstage but is on the mend and should be back on the show mid next week,” a show representative revealed to Page Six.
The representative also offered some reassurance about the severity of the injury.
RELATED: NEW: Joy Behar Misses ‘The View’ After Serious Injury On Set
“Her shoulder wasn’t broken and is back in place, and she is excited to be back at the table as quickly as possible,” they added.
Behar has not yet returned, and the show has not announced a firm date for her comeback.
The injury comes just weeks after “The View” launched its 30th season on Sept. 8.
Joy Behar has dealt with other mobility issues in recent years.
Last fall, she broke her toe and at times needed help from co-hosts getting to her seat.
The program even adjusted its opening sequence so the panelists were already seated rather than walking onto the set together.
Behar has been part of “The View” since its debut in 1997, making her one of the longest-serving personalities in the show’s history.
Fans have repeatedly questioned whether she plans to retire, but Behar has dismissed that idea.
“Creative people don’t really retire. I just really like to write and create stuff.”
For now, Behar’s seat remains empty as she heals, with her 84th birthday passing while viewers continue waiting for her return to the table.
