After missing several days, Joy Behar returned to The View and detailed the surprisingly common, yet excruciating, way she broke her toe, sparking concern and camaraderie among her co-hosts.

TL;DR: What You Need to Know

  • Joy Behar missed multiple episodes of The View due to a severe broken toe.
  • The injury occurred unexpectedly when she dropped her iPad directly onto her foot.
  • Her co-hosts offered a mix of jokes, medical insights (from Sunny Hostin's orthopedic surgeon husband), and even humorous recovery suggestions like a Matthew McConaughey foot rub upon her return.

When The View kicked off on Friday, November 14, 2025, something felt a little different. Instead of the usual grand entrance of the co-hosts, Joy Behar, alongside Sara Haines, Ana Navarro, Sunny Hostin, and Alyssa Farah Griffin, was already seated at the table. This unusual start immediately signaled that the 83-year-old comedian, who had been absent for the entire week, was still recovering from a recent injury.

With bandaged toes clearly visible and sporting a more comfortable pair of slides, Behar didn't waste much time addressing the elephant in the room – or rather, the injured foot under the table. When Sunny Hostin prompted her to explain, Joy delivered the surprising and rather relatable culprit: her iPad.

"Well, here's what happened. So I dropped my iPad on my foot, and I broke my toe... What they do is they put the toes together because it's broken. And it's very, very, very painful. I cannot recommend you dropping anything on your toe."

— Joy Behar on her injury, as reported by TV Insider

The explanation was met with a mix of gasps and laughter. Alyssa Farah Griffin jokingly pointed out Behar's flexibility, while Ana Navarro recalled Sunny Hostin having tried to convince Joy to get a bigger iPad just weeks prior. "Very sadistic of you," Behar quipped back at Hostin.

Sunny, ever the helpful co-host, revealed that her husband, Manny, an orthopedic surgeon, had even offered his professional assistance. When Joy initially sent a picture, she claimed there was no swelling or bruising – classic signs of a break. However, Sunny vividly described Manny’s reaction: "When he got that picture, Joy, I mean her third toe looked like her big toe. Come on!" Behar blamed the "glamour lighting" in her house and her "half blind" husband, Steve Janowitz, for misjudging the severity.

More Than Just a Stubbed Toe: Understanding the Road to Recovery for a Broken Digit

Breaking a toe might sound minor, but as Joy Behar attested, it can be "very, very, very painful." Medical consensus backs her up; a broken toe typically requires 4 to 6 weeks for recovery, often involving "buddy taping" the injured toe to a healthy one for support, and sometimes a doctor-prescribed boot to limit movement and stress. Source: Mayo Clinic

Joy confirmed she was in treatment and expected to get a specialized boot later that same day. Alyssa Farah Griffin, no stranger to foot injuries herself, light-heartedly teased Behar about her absence. Griffin shared a photo of herself in a boot walking alongside then-Vice President Mike Pence on a foreign trip, stating, "I showed up for work when I broke my foot, not to rub it in... It may not be a fashion statement, but it does help." This exchange highlighted the demanding nature of their profession, where even significant injuries sometimes don't stop the show.

Example: Imagine you're prepping for an important presentation at work, juggling your notes on a tablet. You shift quickly, and the tablet slips, landing squarely on your foot. The immediate sharp pain, followed by a throbbing ache that makes every step a challenge, instantly transforms a routine mishap into a significant setback. This isn't just a minor inconvenience; it's a painful disruption that affects your ability to perform daily tasks, much like Joy experienced.

The Hidden Pressures and Emotional Challenges Beyond Physical Ailments on Live Television

While Joy's physical injury was certainly impactful, the world of live television often brings other, less visible forms of stress and pressure. The demands placed on talk show hosts extend beyond just showing up, even with a broken bone. The constant need to be 'on,' articulate, and engaged in heated debates can take a significant emotional toll.

This point was underscored by Candace Cameron Bure, a former co-host on The View during its 19th and 20th seasons (2015 and 2016). Bure candidly shared her struggles with stress and anxiety from her time on the show. "The stress and the anxiety—I actually have a pit in my stomach right now," Bure revealed in a recent podcast, further explaining, "There was only one type of stress that I’ve ever felt in my life that came from that show. And I [have] PTSD, like, I can feel it." Source: Yahoo News / Bassyonniago

The pressure to represent conservative viewpoints on national television was particularly overwhelming for Bure. She felt compelled to grasp and discuss topics she wasn't inherently interested in, leading to significant emotional challenges. Despite these difficulties, she cites prior commitments, like filming Fuller House, as the key reason for her departure in December 2016. Bure ultimately reflected positively on her time, noting that she "really grew" and felt that if she "can do that, I can do anything."

Counterpoint: While Joy's broken toe presents a tangible, diagnosable physical ailment requiring specific medical treatment, the 'invisible' mental and emotional toll experienced by hosts like Candace Cameron Bure is equally debilitating, even if harder to quantify. Both scenarios underscore the immense pressures of sustained live broadcasting, demanding different, but equally rigorous, forms of resilience.

Limitation: The immediate visibility of Joy's injury, clearly shown on air, offers a direct, undeniable explanation for her absence. In contrast, the internal struggles of hosts like Bure are often hidden, making it challenging for audiences and even colleagues to fully grasp the depth of their experience. This disparity can lead to different levels of public empathy and understanding regarding their respective challenges on the show.

A History of Resilient Comebacks and Unforgettable Candid Moments on The View

Joy Behar's recent injury isn't her first unexpected departure or dramatic return to The View. She boasts the longest overall tenure on the show, having been an original host since its inaugural season. However, she was famously fired after Season 17, only to return for Season 19. Behar herself stated her comeback was largely driven by politics and a better offer, revealing, "I went back to do politics. They told me, 'It's going to be smart, and we're going to pay you more money.'" Source: Central Oregon Daily News

This history of resilience, both personal and professional, shines through even in her current recovery. Before wrapping up the segment on her foot, Ana Navarro added one more humorous suggestion: bringing back Matthew McConaughey as a guest. She reminded everyone that the actor once gave Behar a foot rub live on national television, even showcasing the footage for good measure. "Everybody needs a foot fetishist in their life," Behar joked, delivering her final, relatable piece of advice: "Don't drop anything on your foot. It's very painful."

Practical Takeaways for Viewers and iPad Users Alike

  • Mind Your Surroundings: Be mindful of where you place heavy objects, especially tablets, to avoid accidental drops onto sensitive areas like feet.
  • Prioritize Foot Safety: Consider wearing sturdy footwear around the house if you're prone to dropping items, or simply to protect against unexpected impacts.
  • Don't Ignore Pain: If you sustain an injury, even seemingly minor, seek medical advice promptly. Early assessment can prevent complications.
  • Empathy for Public Figures: Remember that celebrities, like anyone else, face personal challenges, be it physical injuries or emotional stress from demanding careers.
  • Tune In for Updates: For the latest on Joy Behar's recovery and all the hot topics, catch The View weekdays at 11a/10c on ABC.

FAQ: Your Burning Questions About Joy Behar's Return to The View Answered

When did Joy Behar make her much-anticipated return to The View? Joy Behar returned to The View on Friday, November 14, 2025, after being absent for the preceding week due to her injury. How exactly did Joy Behar sustain her painful toe injury? She broke her toe when she accidentally dropped her iPad directly onto her foot, an incident she described as "very, very, very painful." What is the typical recovery timeline for a broken toe, according to medical experts? According to sources like the Mayo Clinic, the typical recovery time for a broken toe is usually between 4 and 6 weeks, often involving support and limited mobility. Where can viewers tune in to catch episodes of The View live or stream them later? The View airs weekdays at 11a/10c on ABC. You can also stream episodes through the ABC website with a valid cable login or on streaming platforms such as Fubo, Hulu + Live TV, and Sling TV.

Sources:

  • "Joy Behar Reveals Her ‘Painful’ Injury on The View" - tvinsider.com
  • "Joy Behar Reveals Her ‘Painful’ Injury on The View" - game-news.com (Nicholas Tan, November 14, 2025)
  • "Joy Behar Misses Third Consecutive Episode of The View Due to Injury" - ssbcrack.com (News Desk, Nov 15, 2025)
  • "Did Joy Behar get injured by an iPad? The View co-host shares health update after returning to the show" - sportskeeda.com (Vaishnavi Sah, Saturday 11/15/2025 at 6:46AM EST)
  • "Joy Behar’s Absence from The View Explained" - yahoonews.com (Bassyonniago, 1 day)
  • "Why Is Joy Behar Missing From ‘The View’ This Week? Details on Her Injury" - centraloregondaily.com
  • "THE View’s Joy Behar reveals gruesome toe injury she endured while away from the show" - thesun.co.uk
  • Mayo Clinic: Broken Toe - https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/broken-toe/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20370420