Whoopi Goldberg was absent from the Season 27 premiere episode of The View today due to yet another case of Covid, though many usual viewers throughout the country will miss the show too: The View did not air today in markets impacted by the ongoing clash between Disney and Spectrum.
In New York City, for example, where the daytime series originates, viewers attempting to tune into the show were greeted with the same Spectrum message that’s been on the ABC affiliate channel all weekend: “The Walt Disney Company, owner of this channel, has removed their programming from Spectrum,” the message begins. “We offered Disney a fair deal, and yet they continue to demand an excessive increase.”
Disney, obviously, disagrees, and in its latest statement recommends that frustrated viewers of the 18 Disney networks and eight ABC stations impacted by the carriage dispute switch from Spectrum to Hulu + Live TV or streaming TV bundles like YouTube TV.
In any case, here’s what those Spectrum viewers missed during the initial moments of today’s View: Co-host Joy Behar, sitting in the moderator seat usually occupied by Goldberg, began the show by noting the new set (including a big, shiny table that, she said, resembles a casino blackjack table). “This is the premiere show of our 27th year,” Behar said. “I was here for all of it, except for two when they canned me, when they sacked my behind.”
Behar then explained Goldberg’s absence. “She has Covid,” the co-host said. “It’s back. It’s back. But she’s on the mend, she’s at the tail end and she’ll probably be back this week.”
Goldberg suffered a bout with Covid at the start of 2022 and then again in November 2022. When she returned last time, she said the second go-round was especially rough. “You can get boosted within an inch of your life and then the next thing you know you got Covid again,” said Goldberg last fall while wearing an “Over It” sweatshirt.
Check out the opening moments of today’s show below.