Quick answer: Whoopi Goldberg announced Sara Haines’ absence from The View’s September 16 episode, prompting Joy Behar to clarify, “She’s not sick.” The co-hosts did not reveal why Haines was absent, and Goldberg mentioned only a possible return the following day, not a confirmed date.
Sara Haines’ absence from The View prompted an awkward exchange between Whoopi Goldberg and Joy Behar at the start of the Wednesday, September 16, episode. Goldberg announced that their co-host would not be joining them, but Behar stepped in with a clarification before the panel moved to Hot Topics.
Neither host explained why Haines was away. Behar did, however, tell viewers that illness was not the reason.
What Whoopi Goldberg and Joy Behar said
Goldberg opened with a brief acknowledgment of the empty seat, leaving Haines’ return uncertain. “As you see, Sara is out today. She’ll be with us, maybe, tomorrow. We’ll see,” she said, before adding, “But there’s lots to talk about.”
Before Goldberg could introduce the first Hot Topics segment, Behar interjected: “She’s not sick.” Goldberg appeared confused by the clarification, pausing before responding, “Ok.”
Behar then explained why she wanted to offer that reassurance. “Because people get worried when someone disappears,” she said.
Goldberg took a different approach to how much the panel needed to say about an absent colleague. “All we’ve got to tell them is that she’s not here,” she replied.
She continued: “They’ll notice it, but we mention it because we don’t want them to think we don’t notice it. You know what I mean? So, that’s why we say what you already can see.”
Why was Sara Haines absent, and when will she return?
The exchange offered viewers one clarification, but no explanation for Haines’ day off. Behar said Haines was not sick; neither Behar nor Goldberg disclosed the reason for her absence.
Goldberg’s reference to a possible return the following day was not a confirmed timetable. Her opening announcement left that question unresolved.
Haines is among the show’s regular five-day panelists, alongside Sunny Hostin and Alyssa Farah Griffin. Other co-hosts have scheduled days away: Goldberg does not appear on Fridays, Behar skips Mondays, and Ana Navarro is absent from at least one episode each week.
A recent milestone for Joy Behar
The exchange came shortly after The View began Season 30 on September 8. During the season opener, Goldberg congratulated Behar, announcing that she had “officially hosted more seasons of an American talk show than any other woman.”
Behar marked the moment with a joke rather than a solemn acceptance speech. “All I can say is that I was here when the show was in black-and-white,” she said.
For viewers looking for an update on Haines, the September 16 opening remained limited: her absence was acknowledged, Behar ruled out illness, and no definite return date was announced.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Sara Haines absent from The View on September 16?
The co-hosts did not disclose why Sara Haines was absent. Joy Behar clarified only that Haines was not sick.
What did Joy Behar say after Whoopi Goldberg announced Sara Haines’ absence?
Joy Behar said, “She’s not sick.” After Goldberg paused and replied, “Ok,” Behar explained, “Because people get worried when someone disappears.”
When will Sara Haines return to The View?
No definite return date was announced during the September 16 opening exchange. Whoopi Goldberg said, “She’ll be with us, maybe, tomorrow. We’ll see.”
