The View took its annual holiday break during the week of the July Fourth holiday. When the show finally returned on Monday, Whoopi Goldberg wasn’t there. Joy Behar had to fill in at the last minute. Whoopi’s absence renewed speculation that she’s retiring soon. Keep reading for all the details.
The View Returns From Break Without 3 Hosts
Fans of The View were disappointed last week when they tuned in to see reruns of old episodes. The talk show went dark while the hosts enjoyed a break to celebrate July Fourth. Viewers expected to see all the hosts back on the air on Monday, July 6. However, only three hosts showed up.
Whoopi Goldberg, Ana Navarro, and Sara Haines didn’t make it to New York in time to film the show. Joy Behar is usually off on Mondays but had to fill in at the last minute for Whoopi Goldberg’s absence. Michelle Buteau was already scheduled to be a guest but stuck around for the whole episode.
The weather prevented the other three regular hosts from getting to New York. Sara Haines was stuck at home to deal with damage from the storm. Ana Navarro revealed on social media that she was still in Miami, unable to get a flight back to New York. “Take a little time to enjoy The View without me,” she joked on Instagram.
Whoopi Goldberg’s absence was a little more complex.
Whoopi Goldberg Renews Retirement Speculation With Absence
Whoopi Goldberg joined The View in 2007 after Rosie O’Donnell left. She signed a contract extension in 2021 worth a reported $8 million a year. The contract kept her on the ABC talk show through Season 28 but it’s now Season 29 and she’s still there. The lack of public details about a new contract has sparked speculation that her time on the show is coming to an end.
She vowed never to retire. However, Whoopi Goldberg has spent more and more time away from The View at her home in Italy. She went there during the show’s holiday break and found herself stranded. Airports in Italy were shut down after Mount Etna erupted.
Whoopi Goldberg plans to return to New York and The View as soon as possible. However, her absence renewed calls for her to retire and let Joy Behar take over as moderator. Viewers took to social media to discuss how much they enjoyed Monday’s show amid Whoopi Goldberg’s absence.
- “I love it when Joy moderates; the conversation flows so much better.”
- “Love Whoopi and her accomplishments – she is a legend. BUT Joy is a MUCH BETTER MODERATOR!”
- “Whoopie i love but needs to step down i love this guest host”
- “Keep Michelle coming back. I LOVE HER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”
Whoopi Goldberg said a while ago that she can’t retire because she has bills to pay. However, her future at The View could be nearing the end amid renewed retirement speculation. Tell us in the comments if you think it;’s time for Whoopi to leave the talk show.
Jennifer Havener grew up in a small town in Upstate New York. She earned her B.A in Writing & Literature from Naropa University in Boulder, Colorado. She always knew watching reality TV shows and soap operas, particularly ‘Days of Our Lives’, would come in handy someday. When she’s not writing, she’s playing with her dogs, Lola and Ruger
