You’ve seen the headlines. They pop up every few months like clockwork, usually accompanied by a grainy thumbnail of Joy Behar looking slightly annoyed. People love to speculate about when the "OG" of the Hot Topics table will finally hang up her coffee mug for good. If you've been searching for the truth about whether joy behar quits the view, you aren't alone—but the reality is a lot more nuanced than a clickbait banner.
Honestly, the rumor mill is exhausting. One day she’s reportedly "fed up" with the drama, and the next, she's supposedly being forced out by network execs looking for "fresh blood."
But let's look at the actual facts on the ground as of January 2026.
The Retirement Rumor That Won't Die
Every time Joy takes a scheduled Friday off or stays home with a cold, the internet goes into a meltdown. Just recently, in late 2025, social media was convinced she was done. Why? Because she made a joke about her "package" for when she eventually leaves. During a recording of the Behind the Table podcast with executive producer Brian Teta, she mentioned she wanted her infamous walk-off against Bill O’Reilly included in her career retrospective.
That was enough to set the spark.
People took "when I leave" to mean "I am leaving right now." Brian Teta actually had to jump in and clarify right there on the mic that it wasn't a retirement announcement. Joy’s response? A classic Behar quip: "That's wishful thinking."
She’s basically trolling the haters at this point.
Why She’s Still In the Moderator Chair
It’s easy to forget that Joy Behar is 83 years old. In any other profession, she’d have been playing bridge in the Hamptons for two decades by now. But television isn't a normal job. For Joy, The View is a platform she clearly isn't ready to surrender, especially in the current political climate.
If you watch the show, you know Joy thrives on the "Hot Topics" segment. She’s often said that "creative people don't really retire." To her, sitting at that table isn't just a paycheck—though with her rumored multi-million dollar contract, it’s a very nice one—it's her oxygen.
She did actually quit once. Well, "quit" is a strong word. Back in 2013, she left the show after 16 seasons. At the time, she told Deadline it just "seemed like the right time" and that she wanted to focus on her stand-up and playwriting.
That lasted two years.
By 2015, she was back in her seat. She later joked that she was "glad to be fired" (depending on which version of the story you believe about that 2013 exit) but that the network "learned their lesson." The show's ratings and cultural relevance usually spike when the original cast members are present to anchor the chaos.
The Contract Situation in 2026
So, what is the actual status of her job?
As of the start of Season 29 in September 2025, Joy Behar, Whoopi Goldberg, and Sunny Hostin all appeared in the promotional teasers and returned to their seats. While ABC doesn't usually publish the exact expiration dates of talent contracts, Joy has been vocal about the fact that she "isn't going anywhere."
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Whoopi Goldberg even addressed the firing rumors head-on during a live broadcast last year. She looked directly into the camera and told the audience, "If you happen to see things written on the internet saying Joy and I are fired, we are not fired! We are still here!"
Joy’s reaction? She just laughed and said, "Sorry!" to the people who wanted her gone.
What Keeps Her Hooked?
- The Political Cycle: With the 2024 election aftermath and the ongoing 2026 midterms looming, Joy sees herself as a necessary voice for the "left" at the table.
- The Chemistry: Despite the on-screen bickering with co-hosts like Alyssa Farah Griffin, the current panel is remarkably stable compared to the Meghan McCain era.
- The Schedule: She’s earned the right to have a flexible schedule. She often takes Fridays off, which gives her the stamina to keep going through the rest of the week.
Misconceptions About Her Health and Wealth
You’ll often see "health scares" cited as the reason joy behar quits the view. Most of these are complete fabrications. Aside from the occasional bout of COVID-19 or a common cold that keeps her home for a few days, Joy has been remarkably sturdy.
Then there’s the money.
People assume she’s staying because she needs the cash. While Whoopi recently joked that she has to "keep paying those bills," Joy seems more motivated by the relevance. She likes being the person people talk about at the water cooler—even if half those people are complaining about her.
What Happens When She Actually Does Leave?
Eventually, it will happen. You can't do a daily talk show forever. When the day finally comes that Joy Behar actually quits, it won't be a quiet exit announced via a leaked memo. ABC will milk it for every bit of nostalgia they can. There will be a month-long celebration, guest appearances from past hosts like Sherri Shepherd or Star Jones, and a massive prime-time special.
Until you see a press release from ABC News with the words "Farewell Tour," you should take every "Joy is leaving" headline with a massive grain of salt.
How to Spot Fake News About Joy’s Exit
- Check the Source: Is it a reputable entertainment trade like The Hollywood Reporter or Variety? Or is it a random lifestyle blog with twenty pop-up ads?
- Look for Quotes: Does the article have a direct quote from Joy or an ABC spokesperson? If it says "sources close to the production," it might just be gossip.
- Watch the Show: Joy usually addresses big rumors herself. If she’s sitting there on Monday morning cracking jokes about her dry cleaner, she probably didn't quit over the weekend.
Basically, the "Joy Behar Quits" narrative is a self-sustaining ecosystem designed to get clicks from people who either love her or love to hate her. As of today, she’s still very much a part of the fabric of daytime TV.
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If you want to stay updated, the best thing to do is follow the official The View social media accounts. They are the first to announce casting changes. For now, expect to see Joy’s red hair and sharp tongue at the table for the foreseeable future. She’s outlasted dozens of co-hosts, several presidents, and countless "cancellation" attempts.
The view, it seems, is still exactly the way she likes it.
Next Steps for Fans and Critics
- Verify the source: Always cross-reference retirement rumors with major trades like Entertainment Weekly or The Wrap to avoid being misled by clickbait.
- Monitor the Season 30 renewals: Watch for official network announcements regarding the 2026-2027 season, which typically happen in late spring or early summer.
- Check the Friday lineup: If you notice a guest host in Joy's chair on a Monday or Tuesday, that is usually a better indicator of a real absence than the standard Friday "Joy-off."