Joy Behar’s backstage fall sparks ‘serious conversations’ as ABC considers ‘The View’ safety changes

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: Joy Behar’s backstage fall at ‘The View’ has sparked discussions behind the scenes about how the ABC talk show can make its set safer for the longtime host.

The 83-year-old television veteran missed Thursday’s show after catching a heel backstage and dislocating her shoulder. Her representative later confirmed that Behar did not suffer any broken bones and that her shoulder was put back in place.

Joy Behar’s injury prompts safety talks at ‘The View’

Behar is hoping to return to ‘The View’ as soon as next week, but the accident has led producers to look at the physical demands around the live show.

According to network insiders, the focus is not on Behar’s ability to do her job on camera, but on reducing the risk of another accident away from the cameras.

“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.

Behar turns 84 next week and has been a major part of ‘The View’ since its debut in 1997, apart from a two-season absence. She returned to the show in 2015 and is currently its oldest co-host.

Sources stressed that nobody at ABC is looking to push Behar out. Instead, the discussions are reportedly about how she can continue working without facing unnecessary physical risks backstage or on the set.

ABC considers safety changes to ‘The View’ set

Producers are reportedly considering changes that could affect how ‘The View’ opens when Behar returns.

Currently, Behar and the other co-hosts walk onto the set at the beginning of the live broadcast before taking their places at the Hot Topics table.

One idea being discussed is having the women already seated when the show begins, which would remove the need for Behar to make the on-camera walk.

Producers are also considering installing a ramp and removing some of the steps leading to the set.

“Joy doesn't want to be treated differently because she's 83,” another 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.”

Whoopi Goldberg and Joy Behar miss ‘The View’

Behar’s injury came as Whoopi Goldberg, 70, was also away from ‘The View’ while filming the Netflix movie ‘Women Like Us.’ With both senior co-hosts absent on Thursday, Sunny Hostin took over the moderator’s seat.

Hostin explained the absences at the start of the show.

“So Whoopi is still out making a movie and unfortunately our dear friend Joy dislocated her shoulder,” she said, prompting a reaction from the studio audience.

“Yeah, so she's recovering and will be back soon,” Hostin added.

“So, the two OGs are out today,” she said, before joking that the moderator’s role had gone to the “next oldest” or “seasoned” co-host.

Sara Haines, Ana Navarro and Alyssa Farah Griffin joined Hostin on the panel, while former co-host Sherri Shepherd returned as a guest host.

Shepherd, 59, who left ‘The View’ in 2014 after seven years, spoke warmly about returning to the show.

“That’s what I love about The View family. No matter if we've never worked together, it's still a sisterhood,” Shepherd said. “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 previously missed time from the show after dropping an iPad on her foot and breaking a toe in November 2025. She also took a planned two-week break in June to perform her play, ‘My First Ex-Husband’, in London.

Despite the recent absences, Behar has made it clear that retirement is not currently in her plans.

In 2022, she told People that she had “no plans to retire,” adding, “I just signed a contract so I'll be here for a while. I have no plans to retire.”