3 View Hosts Missing From Show Due to Weather, Volcano

Whoopi Goldberg's return to The View hit an unlikely snag: Sicily's most famous volcano. The 70-year-old co-host skipped the talk show's first episode back from its July 4 break after finding herself stuck in Italy as Mount Etna erupted, shutting down local airports and disrupting air travel, reports Entertainment Weekly. In a video message that aired on Monday, Goldberg stood on a hotel balcony overlooking the water and explained she'd "spent most of the day trying to get back to the United States" but couldn't leave because "all of the airports are closed here."

Goldberg promised viewers she'd return "as soon as I can." She also cracked that her vacation tale "takes the cake—a volcano ate my homework!" Joy Behar, who usually has Mondays off, moderated in Goldberg's place, joined by Sunny Hostin, Alyssa Farah Griffin, and guest Michelle Buteau, who slid into a temporary co-host role. "Best booty call I've ever had," Buteau joked, per USA Today. It wasn't the only co-host travel drama: Sara Haines also missed the show because of storm damage at her home, while Ana Navarro said in a social media video that she was grounded in Miami by inclement weather and told viewers to "enjoy The View without me."