Is Joy Behar sick? The panelist’s recent TV absence explained

By okaybliss — ON Jun 15, 2023

Save for the two years she left The View, Joy Behar has been a panelist on the show since 1997. She recently gave her views on the Donald Trump indictment, mocking the former president’s defense against charges of withholding classified documents. Behar’s remarks came after she missed two episodes of the show, raising concerns among her fans.

Joy Behar is not sick; she’s recovered from a recent cold

In mid-June 2023, Ana Navarro and Whoopi Goldberg filled in for Joy Behar in two episodes of The View. Whoopi explained Behar’s absence, telling viewers that the long-time panelist was sick.

“Joy is not here today. She’s out. She’s under the weather,” Whoopi stated. After fans expressed sadness over Behar’s absence, Whoopi said: “I know. We tried to force it, but, you know, when you’re out, you’re out.”

Behar was still ill when she returned to The View the following week. As the show started, Behar tried to stifle coughs off camera. “I have a cold, that’s all,” Behar said. “You can hear me, right? I sound worse than usual.” Panelist Sara Haine joked about Behar’s voice, saying she sounded like the ‘1-900 voice.’

Netizens expressed displeasure at what they perceived as Behar’s rushed return. Some opined that the show’s producers should have given Behar more time to recuperate.

Behar’s recent absence was the second in the past year. In July 2022, Behar missed five episodes of The View due to a nasty illness. On her return, Behar assured fans that she hadn’t contracted COVID-19:

“I’m here to remind everybody, there are diseases out there besides COVID. I had a virus, that’s it, a really strong virus. I tested negative in five PCR tests. I did not have it. I still have never had it, but I’m a little worried about getting it now.”

Behar stated that her husband, Steve Janowitz, nursed her back to health, and her dog kept her company as she rested: “My husband was very good. He took care of me. And my dog never left my side while I was in bed. I did not eat for four days. I was sick and I just didn’t get out of bed.”