Joy Behar reveals why her agent advised her against taking ‘The View’ hosting gig: 'I'd been in a sitcom'

Joy Behar reveals why her agent advised her against taking ‘The View’ hosting gig: 'I'd been in a sitcom'
Joy Behar recently revealed that her agent had asked not to take 'The View' hosting job but she still went ahead as it was with Barbara Walters (Sonia Moskowitz/Getty Images)

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: Joy Behar has made a shocking revelation about her gig at ‘The View’ after joining the show since it began in 1997.

During a recent episode of the show’s official ‘Behind the Table’ podcast, the TV host disclosed to the show's executive producer Brian Teta that her agent had advised her against taking the hosting gig, People reported.



 

She shared, “When I got this job — when was it? 1997? — I was sort of on the cusp of getting a sitcom. I had been in a sitcom already, and I'd done a pilot,” referring to her work in the TV series ‘Baby Boom’.

Joy Behar was excited to work with Barbara Walters

“The call comes for this job to do The View with Barbara Walters. Do you know that my agent told me not to take it?” Joy Behar said.

The 82-year-old comedian stated that her agent felt she was not being paid well for the job.

Joy Behar leaves ABC's
Joy Behar leaves ABC's 'The View' on the Upper West Side on February 20, 2024, in New York City (James Devaney/GC Images)

Behar stated, “I said, ‘It's in New York City with Barbara Walters. I don't wanna live in LA. I wanna live in New York City [and] work with Barbara Walters.’ Because I knew that it would be a smart show with her behind it.”

However, the actress did not pay any attention to her agent’s caution and went ahead with the offer, which even got her a Daytime Emmy Award in 2009.

Joy Behar was criticized for being ‘too New York’

Joy Behar also went on to share that though she got ‘The View’, the resistance she’d received during her time as a stand-up comic did not end.

She noted, “I was just told by executives and network people and agents I was too New York — which I think is code for too Jewish or too ethnic.”

But Teta corrected her, saying that she’s from a Catholic family of Italian descent from Brooklyn.

Behar hit back, “It doesn't matter. I think that that was what even somebody even said when I got this show. Somebody I knew in the past told [The View co-creator] Bill Geddie, ‘Oh, she's too local.’”

Joy Behar attends a discussion of the View's
Joy Behar attends a discussion of the View's 'Behind the Table' podcast at 92NY on October 8, 2024, in New York City (Gary Gershoff/Getty Images)

Teta then said that it was because of her Brooklyn accent and her “New York sensibility.”

To which, Behar added, “It’s part of the country. You can't have everybody coming from Iowa.”

Internet hails Joy Behar as they 'love' listening to her

Social media users took to the comments section of the podcast's YouTube videos and commended Joy Behar for being so "authentic."

One social media user wrote, “I love Ms. Joy, she is so authentic and down to earth.❤️❤️”

Another said, “I love listening to Joy. I enjoy her take on issues.”

One person commented, “I love the podcasts with Joy and Brian!  Besides always being interesting and funny, it’s a chance to hear what Joy has to say about things.  Sometimes in the show, her voice is drowned out - like today’s.”

“Joy's authenticity is like a breath of fresh air! Love her so much!” another individual posted.

“Joy Behar is such a legend,” another one claimed.

One comment read, “PLEASE BRING ON MORE WHOOPIE & JOY to the table!!!🎉 I love those 2, they remind me of my Mom & Grandma (who are both passed away) They give the BEST advice 💯👌 Love you ladies.”

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