Star Jones Recalls 'On My Own Terms' Exit from The View in Reunion with Joy Behar
Source: The View · All The View reports
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Summary
In a September 22, 2026, interview on The View's YouTube channel, executive producer Brian Teta speaks with original co-hosts Star Jones and Joy Behar about the show's 30th anniversary. They recall their combative yet successful audition over the word 'fat,' on-air chemistry with Meredith Vieira and Barbara Walters, the shift to contentious split-screen debates, and memorable moments like Joy kissing guests and SNL parodies. Jones discusses announcing her departure live in 2006 to do it 'on her own terms' amid depression and obesity, her gastric-bypass-enabled weight loss that preceded 2010 open-heart surgery, current views on GLP-1 drugs, and the legacy of diverse perspectives. The pair also touch on evolving Hot Topics meetings, Joy's podcast, and reluctance to engage in mean-spirited modern discourse.
Editorial Assessment
The conversation is warm and reflective, accurately capturing the show's early formula of generational and viewpoint diversity as its 'secret sauce.' Jones's health narrative is largely supported by her long-standing American Heart Association advocacy and public disclosures since 2010. However, viewers may miss critical context on her 2006 exit: ABC declined to renew her contract months earlier due to rising unfavorable ratings tied to undisclosed gastric bypass, a lavish sponsored wedding with product placement, and perceived loss of audience trust, per Barbara Walters and contemporaneous reports. Framing the exit solely as a personal choice for authenticity downplays the network's role and ensuing public feud. The segment avoids current political tensions, focusing on nostalgia, but could leave newer viewers with an overly harmonious view of the original panel's dynamics. Overall, it succeeds as light anniversary content but prioritizes feel-good memories over fuller historical accounting.
Key Moments
Star Jones and Joy Behar fought over the word 'fat' in their audition, which helped get them both hired due to on-screen chemistry
Consistent with their long-told origin story and the segment's 30-year retrospective framing.
Jones left The View on her own terms after prayer and counsel, wanting to control her narrative for future authenticity amid depression and obesity
She learned in April 2006 her contract would not be renewed; ABC planned a later announcement but she revealed it early, leading to immediate dismissal and a public dispute with Walters over trust and off-air issues.
Jones's weight loss and lifestyle changes saved her life; she had open-heart surgery for aortic valve issues years later and now advocates for the American Heart Association
Corroborated by AHA profiles and her 2010 surgery details (heart stopped 22 minutes); she lost ~160 pounds post-2003 gastric bypass, maintained it, and has been a longtime volunteer spokeswoman.
The split-screen debate between Rosie O'Donnell and Elisabeth Hasselbeck marked when The View changed to more contentious back-and-forth resembling news programs
Widely cited as a pivotal, ratings-boosting but tone-shifting moment in the show's history.
People still mistake Joy Behar for Jewish and send her Hanukkah greetings; she learned about menopause on air as the pioneer
Behar has long joked about the misconception (she is Italian-Catholic); she has discussed being the first on the show to go through menopause publicly.
Notable Concerns
- Jones presents her departure as fully voluntary and on her terms without noting ABC's non-renewal decision or audience research cited by Walters
- Weight-loss discussion emphasizes personal effort and surgery while contrasting past stigma with today's GLP-1 medications; omits initial public criticism for not disclosing the bypass sooner
Sources Consulted
- Star Jones' Exit From 'The View,' Explained
- Barbara Walters, Star Jones discuss 'ugly' departure from 'The View'
- Star Jones Reynolds's Departure From 'The View' Was in the Works for Months
- Star Jones continues to sound the alarm about heart disease in women
- Star Jones Shares Health Update 15 Years After Heart Surgery
- Jewish or Not: Joy Behar
- ‘The View’ Season 30: Whoopi Goldberg, Joy Behar and Co-Hosts Toast ‘Incredible’ Run