Joy Behar to Step Away from 'The View' for West End Theater Run

Longtime 'The View' co-host Joy Behar has announced she will be taking a brief hiatus from the daytime talk show to perform in her play, 'My First Ex-Husband,' at London’s Boulevard Theatre. Behar shared the news on the 'Behind the Table' podcast, confirming that her upcoming absence will span two weeks as she travels to Paris and then to the West End for the production, which features a cast of American and British actresses.

To maintain continuity during her absence, show producer Brian Teta confirmed that the program has already recorded several segments featuring Behar. For the live episodes, the show will utilize a rotating roster of guest hosts and current panelists. Sheryl Underwood and Kara Swisher are slated to fill in, while co-host Ana Navarro and moderator Whoopi Goldberg are expected to take on additional appearances to cover the vacancy.

This personnel shift occurs while 'The View' remains under intense regulatory scrutiny. The FCC is currently investigating the show regarding potential violations of political "equal time" rules. While ABC has defended the program, arguing that the investigation threatens free speech and challenges long-standing exemptions for talk shows, the situation highlights the delicate balance the show must maintain between its political commentary and federal broadcasting regulations. Behar’s temporary departure provides a brief moment of stability for the production team as they navigate both the logistical challenges of a missing co-host and the broader legal pressures facing the network.