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And while unplanned absences can send fans into speculation mode, this time there was nothing mysterious about it. Whoopi was chasing a dream.
On Monday, December 1, she walked back into the Manhattan studio as if she had only stepped out for a coffee run. But her return didn’t quiet the chatter. If anything, her reappearance — and what she revealed — sparked even more conversation.
A Dream Finally Checked Off: Whoopi’s Italian Soap Opera Adventure
Just before Whoopi left, Joy Behar had taken a short break of her own due to a foot injury. Not long after Joy returned, Whoopi exited for a longer, very intentional break — two full weeks spent overseas.
For years, the Oscar winner joked about wanting to appear on a soap opera. This year, that joke turned into reality when she landed a role on Un Posto Al Sole, Italy’s iconic long-running soap. It wasn’t just a cameo; it was a bucket-list moment.
“I learned a lot because I’d never done a soap opera. Doing a soap opera in a different language, in a different country, yeah [it] made for a really interesting time,” she told her co-hosts when she returned.
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She even teased that she sent behind-the-scenes footage to the team so they wouldn’t think she was off relaxing somewhere. And if you thought shooting in Italy meant sunny skies, think again — “It rained every day. Like rain, storm, thunder, it was crazy,” she said, laughing.
Despite the weather, the experience left a door wide open: the production wants her back. Episodes featuring Whoopi are expected to air in 2026.
A Split Audience: Did Viewers Prefer Joy Behar as Moderator?
While Whoopi was away, Joy Behar slid into the moderator seat — something she’s done many times over the years. But this time, the audience reaction was louder and more divided than usual.
Some viewers appreciated the change of pace:
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“I’ve enjoyed the last two weeks more than any lately. That’s just me.”
“I’m much prefer joy as a moderator. She can actually read the cue cards and she joins in the discussion rather than giving repetitive platitudes at the end.”
“I like Whoopi but I actually really enjoyed Joy as the moderator for one and a half weeks. I was glad to see her as the moderator again for this week.”
“I think it’s more interesting when Joy hosts, probably because it moves faster. And if it needs to move along Joy isn’t afraid to say that.”
“I enjoy Whoopi but I believe she is tired and does not enjoy have the energy she had”
Others were simply happy to see Whoopi return, arguing that her grounding presence is the glue that holds the daytime panel together.
Either way, the comment sections during her absence felt like a mini-election — Joy vs. Whoopi — with fans campaigning for the hosting style they preferred.
So… Is Whoopi Leaving Again?
Whoopi’s return didn’t come with the usual “back and better than ever” energy. Instead, it came with a hint that her time away might not be over for good.
Between the filming opportunity in Italy and her ongoing interest in politics — something she has openly discussed in recent months — it’s clear she’s entering a season of exploration. She didn’t make any formal announcement about stepping away, but the possibility of more absences is definitely on the table.
For now, she’s back at the moderator’s chair. But given her new soap opera role and her eagerness to try new things, the next two years may include more international shoots, more unexpected breaks… and more debates among fans about who should lead The View when she’s gone.
One thing is certain: even after 17 years at the table, Whoopi Goldberg still knows how to keep the audience talking.
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