Alyssa Farah Griffin was absent by name The view Today. Host Whoopi Goldberg opened the daytime talk show by addressing the reason the conservative co-host was not on the hot topics table.
“Hello and welcome The view. Alyssa is not here because unfortunately she has Covid. Yes, it’s still there,” Goldberg said at the beginning of the show.
Co-host Sunny Hostin took over the chair Griffin normally occupies, and Sarah Haines joked that the former prosecutor was the new conservative co-host.
Goldberg then added: “So, feel better and tune in tomorrow as US Surgeon General Vivek Murthy gives us the latest on the Covid crisis and other health issues. We have some questions.”
Aside from their co-hosting duties The viewGriffin is also a contributor on CNN.
The hosts of The view are regularly tested for Covid and already in November 2022 Ana Navarro and Goldberg tested positive for the virus. Navarro remained quarantined at a NYC hotel days before Thanksgiving.
After battling Covid a second time, Goldberg described her experience as “difficult,” adding, “You can get a flare-up within an inch of your life and then what you know, you’ve got Covid again. But I don’t have it now, so I’m back at the table.”
The view had taken extra precautions on the show to have viewers wear masks. Earlier this year, the production relaxed Covid protocols and dropped mask mandates for live in-studio audiences.
The daytime talk show’s current cast includes Goldberg, Joy Behar, Hostin, Griffin, Haines and Navarro, who perform twice a week.