Joy Behar and Meghan McCain address the online speculation that claims Goldberg has been absent from the talk show to prepare for hosting the 2019 Academy Awards.
- Feb 21, 2019
AceShowbiz - An internet conspiracy theory has linked Whoopi Goldberg's absence from "The View" with the possibility of her hosting the 91st annual Academy Awards. A Twitter user named Peter Knegt sparked the speculation that the Emmy-winning actress has been MIA from the talk show to prepare for the Oscar hosting gig.
"Whoopi Goldberg's absence from The View (she's sick, they say) since the day after they announced her as an Oscar presenter+the fact that she's the only previous Oscar host listed as a presenter+she openly said on The View in January that she'd be up for hosting=???" Knegt threw the theory.
Whoopi Goldberg's absence from The View (she's sick, they say) since the day after they announced her as an Oscar presenter+the fact that she's the only previous Oscar host listed as a presenter+she openly said on The View in January that she'd be up for hosting=???
— Peter Knegt (@peterknegt) February 20, 2019
He also pointed out, "she [Goldberg] openly said on The View in *December* that she'd be up for hosting (pre-Kevin Hart). also additional obvious +: The View is on ABC."
correction: she openly said on The View in *December* that she'd be up for hosting (pre-Kevin Hart). also additional obvious +: The View is on ABC.
— Peter Knegt (@peterknegt) February 20, 2019
His tweets have garnered attention from a lot of other users, who are mostly excited about Goldberg possibly returning to host the Oscars. "The View" co-hosts have also taken notice of the online speculation, prompting them to address the theory on the show on Wednesday, February 20.
But instead of straightly denying it, Joy Behar offered her two cents in her work mate's absence. "Whoopi is still out. Whoopi's still out. She's not feeling well, and there are all these conspiracy theories on the internet that she's not really sick, she's secretly preparing to host the Oscars. That's going around," Behar said. "Let me just set the record straight right now, OK? Whoopi is on maternity leave. I'm sorry. It was a miracle. She hid that so well," she quipped.
Revealing the actual reason why the "Ghost" actress has been MIA, Behar added, "She's actual recovering from pneumonia. That's what she had. It's a serious thing." Behar went on explaining, "I don't think she's going to be able to host the Oscars and I'm sure she's very disappointed. She's not really even well enough to host this show right now, much less the Oscars."
Co-host Sunny Hostin said she wished that were true, while Meghan McCain chimed in, "Thanks for getting stoned and watching 'The View,' Peter, but you're wrong."
Behar also assured viewers that Goldberg is recovering well despite her illness. "I saw her last night and she's very funny still and we had big laughs," she said. "She's getting there. She's on the mend. So we miss you, Whoopi."
We're setting the record straight: @WhoopiGoldberg is not preparing to host the #Oscars.
— The View (@TheView) February 20, 2019
She's on the mend recovering from pneumonia and we look forward to her returning to @TheView soon! ❤️ https://t.co/f8u2wc159Spic.twitter.com/UmNzDOuemi
Knegt, meanwhile, is enjoying the attention he's got since starting the conspiracy theory. He tweeted, "Never started an actual conspiracy before. Turns out being stoned and watching The View IS PRODUCTIVE."
Never started an actual conspiracy before. Turns out being stoned and watching The View IS PRODUCTIVE. https://t.co/sXS6NBmVJx
— Peter Knegt (@peterknegt) February 20, 2019
While The Academy has confirmed that the February 24 ceremony would go on without a host, Goldberg previously suggested Ken Jeong as a replacement for exiting host Kevin Hart. "He would be brilliant," she said of the "Crazy Rich Asians" star. "It would also constitute the first Asian American to host the Oscars. It would be a whole series of firsts. And he also loves film and I think that's what you need in a host. You need somebody who actually gets why films are great and can tell you the ins and the outs and the silliness of movies."
