Television April 08, 2020
Does 'The View' Co-Host Joy Behar Have Any Plans to Retire? What Her Rep Says!
Rumors are swirling about “The View” co-host Joy Behar, 77.
Variety reported that Behar, who has been on the ABC daytime talk show for 21 seasons, plans to retire after her contract ends in 2022.
In an interview for the non-fiction book “Ladies Who Punch: The Explosive Inside Story of 'The View',” Behar said, “I have a three-year contract. But that doesn't mean I can't leave if I want to, because they can't really do anything to me at this point. I don't see myself staying for more [time]. That's it! I could be wrong. If I'm as fabulous in [2022] as I am now, I'll think about. But the chances of that happening…”
Joy pointed out, “You know, time marches on. I'm not a kid.”
In response to the reports, Behar's rep told People magazine, "This is not true. Joy was asked what happens at the end of her contract and as she herself made clear in the interview, if she's 'as fabulous in [2022] as I am now.' She will be in her seat at the table.”
If Behar retires in 2022, she'll leave the show just short of her 80th birthday. Creator Barbara Walters left the table in 2014 at the age of 84.
Behar has been on the show longer than any of her colleagues, helping to launch the show in 1997.
Behar had a two-year break from “The View," returning in 2015.
Last month, Behar took a leave from the show to self-isolate in the Hamptons amid the coronavirus crisis. She has appeared on the show via satellite. She explained, “I have to point out I'm in a higher-risk group for my age, but I'm perfectly healthy. I'm doing this myself. Luckily I don't have to worry about childcare and things like that, and also I have enough money to take off some time."