Joy Behar Recalls Clash With Late Barbara Walters That Almost Led To 'The View' Exit
By Afouda Bamidele on July 4, 2025 at 9:30 AM EDT
Joy Behar is confessing to jumping the gun and seeing another side of the late Barbara Walters.
The television host recalls an almost career-ending slip of the tongue that caused a brief moment of tension between her and "The View" creator.
Joy Behar and Barbara Walters collaborated as co-hosts on "The View" for a significant number of years before Walters' passing in 2022.
Joy Behar Accidentally Revealed The Identity Of A Special Guest On 'The View'
The TV personality shared that she almost lost her job after she revealed that Rosie O'Donnell was coming on the show in 2006. The incident occurred backstage, but it did not help salvage Walters' displeasure towards her action.
Recounting the experience on Hulu's "Behind the Table: A View Reunion," Behar discussed how Walters had planned to make the reveal about O'Donnell joining them at the Emmys special edition of "The View." However, Behar forgot about the arrangement and just let her lips go loose.
Behar added that an upset Barbara immediately called to inform her that she would not be renewing her contract due to her actions. "For a minute, I was stunned. Barbara, it was just a, I'm like, you know how I am when I'm shopping," Behar recalled explaining herself to Walters.
RadarOnline reported that the duo eventually resolved their issues later that day and continued to work professionally.
Why Rosie O'Donnell Was Absent From Barbara Walters' Tribute
When Walters died, O'Donnell decided it would be best for her to stay back home for her tribute. She revealed this after a fan asked her why she chose to be a no-show at the celebration of life for her pal.
As reported by The Blast, O'Donnell confirmed that it was not a case of being left out of the invitation but rather a preventive measure on her part. In her words:
"You know, I didn't want to be in a big group of people, I was worried that I would get upset and, um, didn't want to do that, so, there you go."
O'Donnell, however, paid tribute to her friend on her own with a special post on her Instagram account. She gushed about how her friend lived an "eventful" life.
"Spoke to every prominent world leader in memory, interviewed everyone who was anyone, and I was lucky enough to be in her orbit for a good many years," O'Donnell added.
At the end of her online tribute, the comedian emphasized how much of a trailblazer her friend was and praised her efforts at breaking several barriers for women.
Inside The Late TV Personality's Life Of Many 'Firsts'
Walters enjoyed a career on television for over five decades, and when she passed away at the age of 93, she left a lasting legacy for generations to hold on to. Her journey to fame began when she joined ABC News in 1976 and became the first female anchor of an evening news program in history.
The Blast reported that she went on to become a co-host on ABC's "20/20" in 1979. By 1997, she created the very popular "The View" on ABC, where she served as one of the original panelists on the show.
Walters also received numerous awards along the way. The late roundtable star was a proud recipient of 12 Emmy Awards, 11 of which she won during her time with ABC.
The late Walters left "The View" in 2014 but retained her position as an executive producer of the show. She also continued her appearances on the network's interviews and specials till she passed.
The Boston Native's Table Welcomed Several Iconic Faces
By 1974, Walters clinched her first-ever Daytime Emmy Award as Outstanding Host or Host in a Talk, Series, or Variety Series for her work on "Today."
Walters, who disclosed that she got her ambition from her older sister, Jacqueline, who suffered a developmental disorder, went on to make the most of it. The late American television personality interviewed numerous influential figures throughout her career.
Walters' famous collection of interviews includes conversations with Boris Yeltsin, Vladimir Putin, Margaret Thatcher, Fidel Castro, Michael Jackson, Laurence Olivier, Katherine Hepburn, Monica Lewinsky, and Anwar Sadat.
Walters interviewed every United States president and first lady from Richard Nixon to former President Barack Obama. The late 93-year-old also had a sit-down with current president Donald Trump and Melania Trump before they entered the White House.
Barbara Walters' Colleague Celebrated Her Life In Touching Tribute
The former host's death reverberated across the industry, prompting a flow of tributes from her friends and colleagues. O'Donnell led the pack with her memorable tribute, and Elisabeth Hasselbeck followed suit by sharing a video collage of the star. In her words:
"I love you Barbara. GOD is in this story. I have few words tonight- and will be ready to honor you tomorrow Dec 31 at 9am EST (10central) on Fox and friends. It will be an honor to be broadcasting about your love and legacy."
Jenny McCarthy, who co-hosted the show between 2013 and 2014, thanked the star for leaving a lasting impact on her life through their friendship. "You will forever be an icon, in every sense of the word," McCarthy noted.
Meghan McCain also reminded the late star that despite her earthly exit, her creation of the show will always hold a special place in her heart. The TV personality added that Walters represented "the ultimate ceiling breaker for women in television."
May Barbara Walters' soul continue to rest in peace!
