Joy Behar: A Pro at Volleying Her Views
October 2008
A former English teacher turned aspiring television producer, Behar eventually decided to "throw [her] hat into the ring of stand-up" and has since become one of the nation's premiere comics.
Since her debut as a regular co-host of ABC's "The View," she has become a household name to millions.
Filling one of the most prime spots on daytime television for the last 11 seasons, Behar remains the only original panelist, aside from show co-creator and co-executive producer Barbara Walters.
With five hosts come and gone, Behar has spent hundreds of her 11 a.m. - noon hours entertaining without fail.
Seniority duly achieved, Behar said of her co-hosts, "They respect me more now 'cause I've been here," adding in her typical deadpan, "When you survive the war, you get respect. I'm like John McCain."
When asked why she has never chosen to leave in order to pursue other avenues, Behar said, "The best aspect of the show is the spontaneity -- the fact that it is unrehearsed and unpredictable. I think that suits me very well. It suits my particular brand of humor, my lifestyle. And it's also five minutes from my house."
Unlike other seasons when differing opinions and tensions resulted in highly-dramatic, publicized on-air arguments, Behar insists that she, Whoopi Goldberg, Sherri Shepherd, Elisabeth Hasselbeck and Walters do not fight post-show, as some viewers might presume.
Five individual voices often become one loud garbled speech, an overlapping which Behar profusely dislikes.
"When we talk over each other, I feel that the audience tunes out," she said. "I think we try very hard not to do any of that, [but] all I ask is if you want to interrupt me, I'll stop talking, but I will not keep talking if you're gonna interrupt me."
For the most part, the brassy and always direct Behar describes the group as "sincerely cohesive," approving of the meshing of minds and personalities. "It's a good volleyball game we're playing," she noted.
Aside from taping the show and her live performances, Behar dabbles in comedy writing. Her latest effort released last month, When You Need a Lift: But Don't Want to Eat Chocolate, Pay a Shrink, or Drink a Bottle of Gin, is a collection of essays and stories submitted by celebrities on how they've dealt with bad days. A sequel to her best-selling children's book, Sheetzucacapoopoo: My Kind of Dog, is to be published in spring.
If one day she were to helm her own talk show, Behar imagines a "Larry King Live" format which would appeal to her love of the impulsive, the risks of the unknown and unplanned. "People have arguments. You never know what they're gonna say. I like it because it's dangerous," she confessed.
As for the woman who never withholds her opinions, Behar enjoys guests who are in the center of the news, in the moment.
Recalling an episode of "The View" with Jim Cramer of CNBC's "Mad Money," Behar said, "We're in the middle of the financial crisis, and there he [was] talking about it. So who's my favorite guest? It's whoever's in the middle."
For now, Behar's fans can find comfort in knowing their morning routine will not be compromised. For as long as there's someone with opinions all their own -- the ultimate opponent to serve the ball over to Behar's side of the net -- she'll be waiting, wit readily on command, to spike it back.
Links: The View Official Website | Twitter
Since her debut as a regular co-host of ABC's "The View," she has become a household name to millions.
Filling one of the most prime spots on daytime television for the last 11 seasons, Behar remains the only original panelist, aside from show co-creator and co-executive producer Barbara Walters.
With five hosts come and gone, Behar has spent hundreds of her 11 a.m. - noon hours entertaining without fail.
Seniority duly achieved, Behar said of her co-hosts, "They respect me more now 'cause I've been here," adding in her typical deadpan, "When you survive the war, you get respect. I'm like John McCain."
When asked why she has never chosen to leave in order to pursue other avenues, Behar said, "The best aspect of the show is the spontaneity -- the fact that it is unrehearsed and unpredictable. I think that suits me very well. It suits my particular brand of humor, my lifestyle. And it's also five minutes from my house."
Unlike other seasons when differing opinions and tensions resulted in highly-dramatic, publicized on-air arguments, Behar insists that she, Whoopi Goldberg, Sherri Shepherd, Elisabeth Hasselbeck and Walters do not fight post-show, as some viewers might presume.
Five individual voices often become one loud garbled speech, an overlapping which Behar profusely dislikes.
"When we talk over each other, I feel that the audience tunes out," she said. "I think we try very hard not to do any of that, [but] all I ask is if you want to interrupt me, I'll stop talking, but I will not keep talking if you're gonna interrupt me."
For the most part, the brassy and always direct Behar describes the group as "sincerely cohesive," approving of the meshing of minds and personalities. "It's a good volleyball game we're playing," she noted.
Aside from taping the show and her live performances, Behar dabbles in comedy writing. Her latest effort released last month, When You Need a Lift: But Don't Want to Eat Chocolate, Pay a Shrink, or Drink a Bottle of Gin, is a collection of essays and stories submitted by celebrities on how they've dealt with bad days. A sequel to her best-selling children's book, Sheetzucacapoopoo: My Kind of Dog, is to be published in spring.
If one day she were to helm her own talk show, Behar imagines a "Larry King Live" format which would appeal to her love of the impulsive, the risks of the unknown and unplanned. "People have arguments. You never know what they're gonna say. I like it because it's dangerous," she confessed.
As for the woman who never withholds her opinions, Behar enjoys guests who are in the center of the news, in the moment.
Recalling an episode of "The View" with Jim Cramer of CNBC's "Mad Money," Behar said, "We're in the middle of the financial crisis, and there he [was] talking about it. So who's my favorite guest? It's whoever's in the middle."
For now, Behar's fans can find comfort in knowing their morning routine will not be compromised. For as long as there's someone with opinions all their own -- the ultimate opponent to serve the ball over to Behar's side of the net -- she'll be waiting, wit readily on command, to spike it back.
Links: The View Official Website | Twitter
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