Whoopi Goldberg Stranded in Sicily After Mount Etna Eruption Forces 'The View' Absence

Whoopi Goldberg's Monday absence from The View came with an extraordinary explanation: the 70-year-old moderator found herself stranded in Sicily after Mount Etna's eruption closed regional airports and halted travel operations.

The show addressed her unexpected absence by airing a video message in which Goldberg detailed the dramatic circumstances. "I am in Sicily right now, and Mount Etna, who is one of our active volcanoes here in Italy, decided to go off today," she explained. She added with humor, "I know that we got all kinds of stories about our different vacations. Well, I think my story just takes the cake," before joking, "A volcano ate my homework!"

Goldberg wasn't the only panelist unable to make it to the Hot Topics table that day. Co-host Ana Navarro remained in Miami dealing with weather delays, while Sara Haines contended with storm damage at home.

With three co-hosts unavailable, Joy Behar stepped into the moderator role despite not typically appearing on Mondays. She anchored the panel alongside Sunny Hostin, Alyssa Farah Griffin, and guest co-host Michelle Buteau, who had been originally scheduled as a guest before being called upon to fill the gap.

Goldberg assured viewers she would return to the United States as soon as airport operations resumed, though she noted that all regional airports remained closed at the time of her message.