If you’ve spent any time on social media lately, you’ve probably seen those screaming headlines. You know the ones. They usually involve a blurry thumbnail of Joy Behar looking shocked and a caption claiming she’s finally been booted from the ABC set. People love a good "end of an era" story.
But honestly? Most of it is total nonsense.
Joy Behar has been the heartbeat of The View since the late nineties. She’s the only original member still holding down the fort daily (Whoopi joined later, remember?). So, naturally, every time she takes a Friday off or stays home with a cold, the internet goes into a collective meltdown. Lately, the chatter hasn't just been about her hanging up her hat; it’s been about supposed "mass firings" at the network.
Let's actually look at the facts. Joy is 83 now. That’s a number that makes even her "dizzy," as she’s joked on air. But if you're waiting for her to clear out her dressing room, you might be waiting a long time.
The Truth About Joy Behar Addressing Retirement Rumors
Basically, Joy is the queen of the "never say never" approach, but she’s mostly leaning toward "never."
👉 See also: New Movies in Theatre: What Most People Get Wrong About This Month's Picks
Just recently, in late 2025 and heading into January 2026, Joy has had to get loud about her status. She’s gone on the record multiple times—on the show and the Behind the Table podcast—to tell everyone to calm down. Her logic is pretty simple: creative people don't really retire.
"The rumors of my retirement have been greatly exaggerated," she said, echoing that famous Mark Twain line. She’s also pointed out that she’s currently on the air almost every day. It’s hard to be "fired" or "retired" when you’re literally sitting in the chair at 11:00 AM ET discussing the morning's headlines.
She told executive producer Brian Teta that while "everybody leaves eventually," she has no immediate plans to go anywhere. She’s having too much fun. Plus, she’s busy. In early 2025, she even debuted an off-Broadway show called My First Ex-Husband. She isn't slowing down; she’s just adding more to the pile.
What’s the Deal With The View Firings?
So, where did the "firings" talk come from?
✨ Don't miss: A Simple Favor Blake Lively: Why Emily Nelson Is Still the Ultimate Screen Mystery
A lot of it is fueled by satire sites and "rage-bait" YouTube channels. There was a viral post in late 2024 claiming ABC issued an "official statement" that Joy and Whoopi Goldberg were being cut for being "too toxic." It was fake. Totally made up. ABC actually had to come out and say it wasn't true.
But there is a bit of history that makes people believe these rumors. Joy was actually fired once. Back in 2013, the show's brass tried to move away from heavy politics and toward lighter pop culture. It was a disaster. Ratings tanked. They realized they needed that sharp, Brooklyn-born edge, and they brought her back in 2015.
She hasn't forgotten it, either. She often says that being fired was actually "great" because it gave her a break. But right now? The current lineup—Whoopi, Joy, Sunny Hostin, Sara Haines, Alyssa Farah Griffin, and Ana Navarro—is locked in.
Why the Rumors Keep Spreading
The internet is a weird place. There are a few reasons these stories won't die:
🔗 Read more: The A Wrinkle in Time Cast: Why This Massive Star Power Didn't Save the Movie
- Political Tension: Let’s be real. Joy is a lightning rod. People who disagree with her politics often want her to be fired, so they click on headlines that tell them what they want to hear.
- The "Satire" Loop: Sites like SpaceXMania post satirical articles that get shared by people who don't realize they're jokes. By the time it hits your Facebook feed, the "satire" label is gone.
- Ageism: There's a persistent, kinda gross idea that once a woman hits a certain age, she must be "ready" to leave. Joy fights this by being sharper than most people half her age.
The 2026 Outlook: Is She Staying?
We are currently in January 2026, and the schedule is packed. Joy is still hosting her "Comedy Corner" segments. She’s still sparring with guests. She’s still there.
If she does decide to leave, it’ll be on her terms. She’s mentioned before that when she finally goes, she wants her "greatest hits" package to include the time she walked off the set during a Bill O'Reilly interview. She’s proud of her tenure, and she knows she’s earned the right to exit with a bang, not a whisper.
Actionable Takeaways for Fans
If you want to stay informed without falling for the clickbait:
- Check the Source: If a story about a "firing" comes from a website you’ve never heard of, or a YouTube channel with a robotic voiceover, it's probably fake.
- Look at the Credits: Major casting changes at ABC are always reported by Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, or Deadline. If they aren't talking, it didn't happen.
- Watch the Show: The easiest way to tell if Joy Behar has been fired is to turn on The View. She’s usually right there in the middle of the "Hot Topics" table.
- Listen to the Podcast: The View: Behind the Table is where the hosts actually talk about the behind-the-scenes drama. If there’s a real change coming, they’ll hint at it there first.
For now, Joy is staying put. She’s got bills to pay (as Whoopi says) and jokes to tell. Don't believe everything you read in a Facebook caption. Stick to the actual broadcasts, and you’ll know exactly when—or if—the legend decides to call it quits.
To keep up with the latest confirmed updates, you can follow the official The View social media channels or check ABC's daily press releases for the most current guest lists and host appearances.