'The View' Co-Host Joy Behar Says The Panel Is Now Perfect

One of America's most foremost talk shows since the late nineties is "The View." It features a unique array of female hosts who share their views on "Hot Topics," such as sociopolitical and entertainment news to viewers.

Over the years, the panel has undergone several changes based on different reasons- from a co-host's personal decision to leave the show or the studio's choice to terminate a contract. However, one co-host remained untouched by the ever-blowing wind of change.

Joy Behar is the longest-serving and the only original panelist on the daytime talk show. As a result, she has watched many people join and leave "The View."

Recently, an ex-colleague, Abby Huntsman, returned to the show, and Behar seemingly threw shades at a departed co-host while conversing with her.

Huntsman's recent return to the show started with her coming on stage to greet everyone apart from Behar. Behar quickly feigned offense at the act and opined, "Why did you skip me? Are you mad at me?"

In response, Huntsman stated that her ex-colleague hated hugs before going over and hugging her. The show then started in earnest with the ladies talking about some "Hot Topics" as usual.

Subsequently, Behar asked Huntsman about her days on the show and whether she reminisced about some moments at the table. Huntsman admitted to missing "The View" and some departed staff but confided that some studio executives gave her a tough time during her stint.

Behar riposted Huntsman's comment acknowledging she also shared the same sentiments before adding, "I mean I don't miss — the panel is perfect now."

Many fans have alluded that her "the panel is perfect" remark was a sly shot at her ex-co-host Meghan McCain. The pair had many moments of friction onset, and this allegedly contributed to McCain leaving the show.

During McCain's time on the show, she seemed to get along well with everyone aloof from Behar. Frequently, the pair took digs at each other but did not necessarily go over the top. However, things reached a boiling point when McCain returned to the "Hot Topics" seat after her childbirth leave.

While having a prolonged debate over a topic— McCain teased that Behar missed her so much hence the enthusiasm to exchange words. Behar's reply was not what her counterpart expected, as she stated she did not miss her one bit.

In response, McCain called out her Behar saying, she was insensitive to her plight as a new mother and tagged her remark as nasty and rude. She later revealed in her audio memoir "Bad Republican" how Behar's comment hurt her deeply. The ex-cohost also confided that the moment contributed to her decision to leave the show permanently.

At the end of the season, McCain left "The View" in July 2021 despite having two years left on her contract. In her official announcement, she pointed out that the pandemic had changed her view about her life, and it was time to move on.

Following her departure, studio executives did not immediately bring in someone else to take over from her. The new season launched without a replacement which made Behar joke that she enjoyed having fewer panelists.

"We were four at the time, and then it became five," Behar told Entertainment Tonight. "It is much more fun to have fewer people. I think because you can talk more. We can say more to each other. It became — I can't get a word in here. I don't love that, but we learned how to do that now."

Since the beginning of season 25, "The View" has brought back past hosts to air their opinions on the show. Some departed peacefully, while others had controversial exits. Nevertheless, they all made an impact during their stint on the show.

Before Huntsman's comeback, original member Star Jones kickstarted the new season by returning to the "Hot Topics" seat. Jones was part of the inauguration panel with Joy Behar, Debbie Matenopoulos, Meredith Vieira, and Barbara Walters.

She left in 2006 after her contract expired and did not get extended. Later, some speculations alleged she had fallen out of favor with fans as the audience no longer believed what she said.

After her departure, she returned a few times apart from her latest appearance at the start of season 25.