Comedian and TV personality, Joy Behar has no plans to leave “The View.”
The long-running host of the daytime show opened up about her plans for the future as she marked her 80th birthday milestone. Behar revealed she had recently signed a new contract and had no immediate plans to retire from tv hosting.
She also spoke about being sacked from the program in 2013, admitting that she was still unsure of the reasons behind it. Behar previously discussed the hiring of new co-hosts Farrah Griffin and Anna Navarro following the dismissal of Meghan McCain.
Read on to learn more on the octogenarian.
Joy Behar Speaks On Her Retirement Plans
In an interview with People, the tv personality discussed in detail about her future on “The View.” Behar is the longest-running co-host on the show and has appeared in almost all seasons since its inception in 1997. She has also seen the likes of founding hosts Barbara Walters, Meredith Vieira, and Star Jones all depart at some point.
Per the publication, the 80-year-old shared that she had no plans to call it quits on her tv time anytime soon in the wake of her birthday milestone.
“I just signed a contract, so I’ll be here for a while,” the comedian told People in the interview published on Friday. “I have no plans to retire.”
Behar’s statement referenced her penning a new three-year contract in July that ensures her spot on the network stays until 2025. She currently helms the daytime show with an array of other talented tv personalities, including Sara Haines, Sunny Hostin, Anna Navarro, Griffin, and Whoopi Goldberg.
Joy Behar Praised ‘The View’
Elsewhere in the interview, Behar lauded the daytime show, speaking about its importance in the life of its viewers. She also touched on how the show’s ratings have increased exponentially over time and attained the rank of the most-watched show on daytime tv.
“It’s really, you know, something that is an important show in many ways,” she added. “Sometimes I don’t believe that, as I’ve been here since the beginning, but we’re the most-watched show in daytime. Most-watched!”
Not one to not toot her own horn, the veteran host also said she was pleased with the impact she has made on the show and further asserted her decision to stay on for the meantime.
She added, “I’m happy to be a part of it. So no, I’m not going anywhere. I’m having a good time.”
She Once Got Fired From ‘The View’
Although the amount ABC paid to retain Behar under contract is unknown, it may have exceeded or might be equal to her prior $7 million per year contract with the network.
While such a huge sum shows how much the showrunners value the veteran, back in 2013, Behar was fired from the show and would probably have remained history, albeit the showrunners had a change of heart, and she was rehired in 2015.
On why she was fired, the comedian told People she still had no idea what caused the decision at the time.
We still don’t know why they dumped me,” she said. “They still don’t know why I was sacked? That was very stupid of them. But they learned their lesson.”
Behar also shared that she had no qualms about the dismissal in 2013. “I was glad to be fired. I basically was sick of the show at that point for some reason, I don’t even remember why,” per the publication.
Joy Behar Shares Her Thoughts About New Co-Hosts
Eventually, Behar will have to depart the show as she grows older. In the meantime, she shared her thoughts about the new kid on the block, Griffin, 33, who joined the show alongside long-time guest panelist Ana Navarro, 50.
“Alyssa’s got a whole different personality. So I think it will be smoother, frankly,” Behar said, comparing the 33-year-old with departed co-host McCain, per ET. “I mean, I like both of them, but I think this girl is going to do very well.”
Behar also talked about the advice she gave Griffin and Navarro about the job. She said, “I was a broken record for a long time because I say this show is a volleyball game, it’s not a golf game.”
“So if you know to hit the ball and then wait for it to come back at you and all that, you’ll be fine,” she added. “That’s the only advice I ever give anybody, really.”