Longtime co-hosts Whoopi Goldberg and Joy Behar are known for their friendly banter on The View, 

but a conversation on the February 19 episode took an unexpected turn when they found themselves at odds over a discussion on stereotypes. 

What started as a lighthearted recap of Saturday Night Live’s 50th anniversary special quickly evolved into a more serious debate about representation and societal divisions.

The segment kicked off with a clip from the SNL sketch Black Jeopardy, featuring Tom Hanks reprising his role from a 2016 episode. 

The original skit sparked controversy among supporters of then-President Donald Trump, including former SNL cast member Victoria Jackson. 

As the co-hosts discussed the sketch, Behar seized the opportunity to voice her perspective on stereotypes and how different communities are perceived in American society.

Joy Behar’s Take on Stereotypes

Behar, reflecting on her upbringing, recalled growing up in a neighborhood with both Italian American and Polish American families. She described how the Polish kids often teased the Italian kids by associating them with the mob. She used this anecdote to illustrate her broader point: that every ethnic group has both positive and negative narratives attached to them.

“I used to say, ‘Wait, let me get my Renaissance files out, OK, because there are two sides to being Italian,’” Behar explained. “You wanna talk about the mob, talk about Da Vinci. You wanna talk about murders in Chicago? Talk about Michelangelo.”

Her argument centered around the idea that society should acknowledge both the achievements and negative stereotypes associated with different groups. She suggested that representation should include a well-rounded portrayal rather than focusing solely on negative perceptions.

Whoopi Goldberg Pushes Back

Goldberg, however, was quick to challenge Behar’s point. Before Behar could continue, Goldberg interjected with a firm, “No, it’s not.”

Behar, taken aback, asked, “Why not?”

Goldberg passionately explained that Black Americans do not receive the same balanced portrayal that Behar described for Italian Americans. She pointed out that this lack of positive representation is precisely why Black History Month exists—to highlight the contributions of Black Americans that are often overlooked in mainstream narratives.

“No, it is not,” Goldberg insisted. “Because we don’t get the benefit of all of the— that’s why we have Black History Month.”

Her response was met with applause from the studio audience, emphasizing the significance of her point. Behar nodded in agreement and responded, “It should be, is what I’m saying!” seemingly recognizing Goldberg’s perspective.

A Divisive but Important Conversation

Goldberg, while acknowledging Behar’s intention, reinforced that reality does not align with the ideal that Behar described. She emphasized that Black Americans still face disproportionate negative portrayals in media and society.

“What it should be, but it’s not,” Goldberg reiterated, signaling the gap between aspiration and reality. At this point, she also noted how far the discussion had drifted from its original topic.

“None of this has anything to do with what I was talking about!” she exclaimed, as the segment took an unexpected turn from the lighthearted discussion of SNL moments to a broader debate on racial representation.

Meanwhile, fellow co-host Alyssa Farah Griffin lightened the moment with a humorous admission: “I thought we were talking about our favorite moments from SNL 50! I was not prepared properly for this.”

The Takeaway

The exchange between Goldberg and Behar highlights the ongoing conversations about race, stereotypes, and representation in the media. While Behar’s perspective emphasized the idea of equal treatment across different ethnic groups, Goldberg’s response underscored the reality that some communities still struggle to receive fair and positive representation.

Despite the disagreement, the discussion served as a reminder of why The View remains a relevant platform for tackling complex social issues. Even when conversations veer off course, they often lead to thought-provoking moments that resonate with audiences.

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