Whoopi Goldberg called out sick for a day from her regular gig as a host on The View, but she returned to her spot on the Thursday, May 15 episode. 

Academy Award-winner Whoopi has had a seat at The View table since she replaced Rosie O’Donnell in 2007.

Whoopi Goldberg smiling with her hands folded in The View

She’s a formidable presence on the show, often offering her wry observations and witty jokes as a way to counteract The View‘s sometimes contentious panel of Joy Behar, Sara Haines, Sunny Hostin, Alyssa Farah Griffin, and Ana Navarro.

Whoopi appeared on the May 12 and May 13 episodes, but was absent on the May 14 episode due to illness. On the Monday and Tuesday episodes, Whoopi seemed to be healthy, but her absence on Wednesday was notable because, as TV Insider reported, Whoopi is “the longest-running (consecutively, at least) cohost currently on the show.”

Joy Behar Explained Whoopi’s Absence On May 14

Whoopi Reportedly Had “A Little Bug”

On the Wednesday, May 14 episode, as the rest of The View cohosts gathered to talk about the day’s Hot Topics, Whoopi was noticeably absent. Her cohost, Joy, explained at the top of the show that Whoopi wasn’t feeling well, but she’d return soon. Whoopi rarely misses tapings of The View, although she traditionally does not appear on Friday episodes.

jasmine alan cumming

“Whoopi’s got some kind of little bug. Not Covid, though, not Covid. She was wearing a mask yesterday. She wasn’t feeling well, but she’s coming back tomorrow—supposedly, if she feels better,” Joy said.

Her Covid comment was in reference to Whoopi’s absence last summer after she tested positive for Covid. TV Insider reported other instances of Whoopi missing a taping, like when she missed shows in March due to a previous commitment, and when she was out with the flu in February.

Whoopi Returned To The View After Brief Illness

Whoopi Had A Cold

The View's Whoopi Goldberg and Sara Haines sitting at The View desk together

Whoopi returned to The View stage on the Thursday, May 15 episode, and she took a moment to explain where she’d been and put any worries to rest. She also joked that her illness was making her “quiet.”

“So before I go any further, I have to explain what’s happening. Have a cold, and it’s kicking my behind. Yes, it is. And it’s not making me cranky, but it’s making me quiet. So I’m not funny today.”

Whoopi’s cohosts rallied around her, with Sara saying, “Oh, you’re funny… Very quietly so,” while Joy said, “That’s right, take it easy.” Whoopi jumped right back into the mix and offered her two cents on the day’s news, including the Diddy trial. Whoopi is not expected to be present during the Friday, May 16 show, as she customarily isn’t.

The View airs daily on ABC and is available to stream on Disney+.