Joy Behar’s future on ABC’s The View is reportedly becoming a growing concern behind the scenes, with insiders claiming network executives would prefer the outspoken liberal co-host to retire following a painful injury that has kept her off television for nearly three weeks.
The 84-year-old television personality has been absent from the daytime talk show since October 1 after falling backstage in late September and dislocating her shoulder.
Now, sources speaking exclusively to The U.S. Sun claim concerns about Behar’s safety have sparked private discussions about whether she should step away from the program she helped launch nearly three decades ago.
According to one insider, staff members have become increasingly concerned about Behar’s ability to move safely around the backstage area, with some reportedly assisting her as she walks.
“People are increasingly worried about her falling,” the source told the outlet.
A second insider claimed ABC executives would prefer Behar to leave on positive terms rather than risk another injury.
“They want Joy to retire gracefully,” the source said, suggesting the network could celebrate her lengthy television career with a special farewell.
However, there is reportedly one major obstacle to that plan: Behar has no intention of voluntarily leaving.
According to the insider, the veteran comedian still enjoys her role and believes she can continue handling the demanding television schedule.
The source also claimed discussions have taken place about potentially reducing her workload from four days a week to a part-time arrangement.
ABC has not publicly confirmed that executives are pushing for Behar’s retirement, and the allegations about her backstage mobility have not been independently verified.
The reports come as viewers continue to wonder when Behar will return to the show’s familiar roundtable.
During Tuesday’s October 20 broadcast, moderator Whoopi Goldberg confirmed that her longtime colleague was still recovering and would not be returning as previously anticipated.
“So, Joy is still out healing up,” Goldberg told viewers before revealing that Behar had been calling colleagues to make sure they wished co-host Sunny Hostin a happy birthday.
Hostin expressed how much she missed Behar, while Goldberg acknowledged that the program felt different without her.
The update came just one week after Behar sent a lighthearted message suggesting she expected to return soon.
“If I was still 21, I’d have bounced back the next day,” Behar joked in a statement Goldberg read during the October 13 broadcast.
She also poked fun at her age, acknowledging that recovery was taking longer than she would have liked.
Her continued absence has raised questions about the future of one of daytime television’s most recognizable and politically outspoken personalities.
Behar joined The View when the program debuted in 1997 and has spent much of her career delivering sharp political commentary, frequently criticizing President Donald Trump and challenging conservative viewpoints.
Her disagreements with former Republican co-host Meghan McCain became particularly memorable, helping fuel the political debates that have made the ABC program both popular and controversial.
Behar briefly departed the show in 2013 before returning in 2015, eventually becoming one of its longest-serving personalities.
The latest retirement speculation also draws comparisons to the show’s creator, Barbara Walters, who stepped away from regular hosting duties in 2014 at age 84 after gradually reducing her workload.
Behar, who celebrated her 84th birthday on October 7 while recovering from her injury, has dealt with other physical setbacks in recent years, including a foot injury that temporarily kept her off the air in 2025.
Still, an injury-related absence does not necessarily mean a television personality is unable to return to work.
For now, Behar remains a member of The View’s regular panel, and ABC has announced no retirement plans or permanent replacement.
Whether the network ultimately considers a reduced schedule or Behar returns to her usual role remains unclear.
What is certain is that the reported concerns have placed renewed attention on the future of one of ABC’s most controversial daytime television voices, just as The View celebrates its milestone 30th season.
