The Real Reason Why Joy Behar Isn't on 'The View' Today

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With The View season 27 in full swing, so when one of the hosts — Whoopi Goldberg, Joy Behar, Sara Haines, Sunny Hostin, Alyssa Farah Griffin and Ana Navarro — are absent from the table, fans want to know why, which is exactly why Joy caused a bit of a commotion when she wasn't on the air Thursday and Friday.

While the taping carried on with just Whoopi, Sara, Sunny, Alyssa and Ana, Joy's absence left many to wonder if she was okay. What's more, some likely pondered if there would be a chance to see Joy at the table sometime soon after taking time away from the cameras.

While The View will welcome Joy back as soon as she's able to, it turns out she's away from the series for a very interesting reason!

Where is Joy Behar on The View?

The 81-year-old host will be away from The View to participate in the New York Comedy Festival from November 3-5. She's on the lineup to perform her play Bonkers in the Boroughs, which consists of five short comedic plays that celebrate the charm of being a New York family.

During a November 2 episode of the Behind the Table podcast, Joy opened up to The View executive producer Brian Teta to explain her reason for taking time off from daytime TV. "I'm taking it off so I can concentrate on this other thing for two days," she elaborated. "I'll be back next week. I thought to myself, 'It's self-preservation, darling.'"

Although Joy's unforeseen absence may be a surprise to some, she actually spoke out on participating in the New York Comedy Festival in early October. As she relayed to her fellow co-hosts, she's embracing the world of theater as part of a new stage in life.

"I'm writing plays now. This is my new chapter. Five of those plays — they're short... These are one acts and they're called Bonkers in the Boroughs. They will be part of the New York Comedy Festival [and] I will be in one of them."

Congrats, Joy and we look forward to hearing how they went very soon!

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