Lisa Kennedy Slams Joy Behar, Recounts Audition Experience for The View

Fox News personality Lisa Kennedy Montgomery—known simply as Kennedy—shared her past audition experience for ABC’s The View on Monday night’s episode of Gutfeld! and delivered sharp criticism toward longtime co-host Joy Behar, labeling her “a talking hemorrhoid in an auburn wig” and calling the show an “unwatchable abortion.”

Kennedy revealed she auditioned for The View in 2003 after Lisa Ling’s departure, describing a largely positive process early on.

“I actually auditioned for The View in 2003 and got pretty far. I got along great because Star [Jones] was there. Barbara Walters was still alive—God rest her soul—and she was lovely. Meredith Vieira was still there. We talked about conservative politics,” Kennedy said, reminiscing about the show’s earlier dynamic.

However, her tone changed sharply when discussing Behar.

“Joy was a talking hemorrhoid in an auburn wig,” Kennedy stated bluntly.

She further described Behar as “ungracious and awful,” expressing surprise that someone with a comedy background required a writer to script jokes during breaks.

“She had a comedy writer writing her little lines during the breaks. And I was like—she’s not even funny. She’s not reacting to anything in the moment,” Kennedy said, claiming that her own improvisational humor may have sparked Behar’s hostility.

According to Kennedy, Behar made a pointed comment during a break: “I’ll handle the comedy here.” Kennedy responded, “Great. Whenever you start, I’ll ease up on the jokes.”

Kennedy’s audition did not result in a permanent seat—Elizabeth Hasselbeck ultimately joined the panel in Ling’s place. Reflecting on the show’s evolution, Kennedy said it had gone from lively and entertaining to “unwatchable.”

Behar, a vocal Democrat and longtime political commentator, has drawn attention for her outspoken views, including describing Donald Trump’s 2016 election as “profoundly disturbing” and joking that she wouldn’t “give a kidney” to a Trump supporter. She has also called House Speaker Mike Johnson a “wolf in sheep’s clothing.”