One of daytime television’s most recognizable voices will be missing from her usual seat for much of the next two weeks, temporarily changing the daily chemistry of a program built around its familiar personalities.
The unexplained-looking absence could easily spark speculation among longtime viewers, but the show has already made clear that the scheduling change is temporary and that several familiar faces will help fill the opening.
Whoopi Goldberg is stepping away from most episodes of “The View” to film “Women Like Us,” an upcoming Netflix movie produced by former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama.
Executive producer Brian Teta announced the arrangement during an episode of the show’s companion podcast, “Behind the Table,” explaining that Goldberg will remain on the program each Monday while missing its Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday broadcasts during the filming period.
“You’re going to be gone over the next two weeks, but you’ll be here on Mondays,” Teta told Goldberg, adding that the production is filming nearby and will not require her to leave the New York area.
Goldberg, 70, described the movie as a story about five women confronting aging, personal change, and the importance of maintaining close friendships with people who understand them.
“It’s five really wonderful women — several of whom I’ve worked with before,” Goldberg said of the project, which also stars Vivica A. Fox, Vanessa Williams and her former “Sister Act” co-star Jenifer Lewis.
“It’s about change and getting older and having fun with your friends and people who get you,” Goldberg continued, adding, “It’s about finding your people. I’m excited to do it. It’ll be fun.”
The project will also test Goldberg physically, as preparation for one scene has required her to learn yoga while balancing on a paddleboard, an activity she admitted was challenging for her.
“I’m determined to do it because there are those who didn’t think I would,” Goldberg said, explaining that she is often motivated by people expecting her to abandon a difficult challenge.
Netflix has not publicly announced a release date for the movie, but the involvement of Goldberg and the Obamas’ production operation gives the project considerable name recognition before filming has been completed.
Back at “The View,” Joy Behar will move into the moderator’s role during Goldberg’s midweek absences, while four former co-hosts will return to help keep the Hot Topics table occupied.
Lisa Ling, Star Jones, Sherri Shepherd and Debbie Matenopoulos will rotate into the lineup on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, creating a temporary reunion with personalities representing several different eras of the long-running daytime program.
Goldberg has taken similar breaks from “The View” for acting opportunities, including a 2025 absence that allowed her to film a role on the Italian television drama “Un Posto Al Sole” before returning to the panel.
The actress and comedian joined “The View” in September 2007 and currently moderates a lineup featuring Behar, Sunny Hostin, Sara Haines, Alyssa Farah Griffin and Ana Navarro.
Goldberg has acknowledged considering retirement from the program, but her comments about the latest absence did not indicate that the two-week filming schedule represents anything more than a temporary adjustment.
Her continued Monday appearances should also prevent the hiatus from feeling like a complete disappearance, while allowing Goldberg to balance her responsibilities on the ABC talk show with the demands of the Netflix production.
The unusual arrangement gives “The View” an opportunity to showcase several of its former hosts while Goldberg works with a prominent cast on a project backed by two of the most recognizable figures in Democratic politics, Parade reported.
For viewers wondering whether Goldberg is quietly leaving the Hot Topics table behind, the answer is no, as she is simply trading it for a movie set several days each week before resuming her regular schedule.
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