Joy Behar’s painful backstage fall has triggered behind-the-scenes discussions at The View about whether the veteran television host’s working environment needs to be made safer, the Daily Mail can reveal.
The 83-year-old co-host was absent from Thursday’s broadcast after catching her heel backstage and falling, resulting in a dislocated shoulder.
Behar’s representative later confirmed that she did not break any bones and that her shoulder had been put back in place. The longtime TV personality is hoping to return to the ABC talk show as early as next week.
However, the alarming accident has led to conversations about possible behind-the-scenes changes that could allow Behar to continue appearing safely on the live program, according to network insiders.
Sources emphasized that there are no doubts about Behar’s ability to do her on-camera job, nor any effort at ABC to force the popular host out.
Instead, the incident has focused attention on the physical demands of a live television set, including navigating crowded backstage spaces and moving quickly between dressing rooms and the studio.
“Nobody wants to be accused of ageism, and nobody is suggesting Joy isn’t mentally capable of doing the job,” one insider told the Daily Mail.
“But she was seriously injured at work. This situation cannot continue without changes.”
Joy Behar was missing in action from The View on Thursday after suffering a serious on-set mishap (pictured during Tuesday’s show)
Fellow cohost Sunny Hostin – who is also filling in as moderator in Whoopi Goldberg’s absence – was joined on the panel by fellow co-hosts Sara Haines, 49, Ana Navarro, 54, and Alyssa Farah Griffin, 37, and guest host Sherri Shepherd, who left the show in 2014
According to the insider, producers are now weighing adjustments that could change how the talk show opens when Behar returns.
Behar, who turns 84 next week, has been a central figure on The View since its 1997 launch, aside from a two-season break. She is currently the show’s oldest co-host.
The discussions are reportedly centered not on Behar’s performance at the show’s famous Hot Topics table, but on ways to reduce the possibility of another accident off camera.
“Joy doesn’t want to be treated differently because she’s 83,” a second source said.
“But after something like this, producers cannot simply send her back into exactly the same environment and hope it doesn’t happen again.”
“Nobody wants Joy gone,” the source added. “They want her safe. And after a dislocated shoulder, doing nothing is no longer an option.”
At present, Behar and her fellow co-hosts walk onto the set at the start of the live broadcast before taking their places at the Hot Topics table.
But the Daily Mail has learned that producers are considering opening the program with the women already seated, removing the need for Behar to make the on-camera walk.
Behar has served on The View for nearly 30 years, beginning with her original run from 1997 to 2013 and followed by her return in 2015 – and has no plans to retire
The source said producers are also discussing installing a ramp and reducing the number of steps needed to reach the set, making the studio more accessible for the veteran host.
YOU MAY ALSO READ: Trump Recruits 24-Year-Old Reporter in Move Evoking Karoline Leavitt’s Rise
The Daily Mail has contacted ABC for comment.
With Whoopi Goldberg, 70, absent from The View as she films the Netflix movie Women Like Us, and Behar nursing what probably was a painful injury, the moderator’s seat fell to Sunny Hostin on Thursday.
Hostin, 57, got the show started by explaining both Goldberg and Behar’s absences.
‘So Whoopi is still out making a movie and unfortunately our dear friend Joy dislocated her shoulder,’ she said, which caused the studio audience to gasp.
‘Yeah, so she’s recovering and will be back soon,’ she quickly added.
‘So, the two OGs are out today,’ Hostin went on, referring to the show’s two most senior co-hosts.
‘So, apparently, the job went to the next oldest or let’s say seasoned co-host. I like seasoned better.’
‘Unfortunately our dear friend Joy dislocated her shoulder,’ Hostin said, which caused the studio audience to gasp. ‘Yeah, so she’s recovering and will be back soon’
Goldberg usually moderates The View, has been absent from the panel as she films the Netflix comedy-drama Women Like Us
Hostin was joined on the panel by fellow co-hosts Sara Haines, 49, Ana Navarro, 54, and Alyssa Farah Griffin, 37, and a familiar person in a bright pink blazer.
‘So, it’s a good thing that Sherri Shepherd is back to guest host,’ Hostin added.
Shepherd, 59, who left The View in 2014 after a seven-year run, said: ‘That’s what I love about The View family. No matter if we’ve never worked together, it’s still a sisterhood.
‘If you leave, you’re still my sisters. We talk and have a good time. Even off air. I’m glad to be back.’
Behar has served on The View for nearly 30 years, beginning with her original run from 1997 to 2013 and followed by her return in 2015.
She holds the record as the longest-running talk show host on the program.
The TV journalist previously missed a few days of the show in November 2025 after dropping an iPad on her foot and breaking a toe, per People.
She also took a planned two-week break from the table in June to perform her play, My First Ex-Husband, in London.
‘There’s been a lot of media attention on me lately because I’m taking off the next two weeks. They’re calling it a hiatus. It’s not a hiatus,’ Behar said, insisting it was for ‘work.’
Behar told People in 2022 she has ‘no plans to retire’ – because she loves her job and remains committed to The View.
‘I just signed a contract so I’ll be here for a while. I have no plans to retire,’ she told the outlet.