Whoopi Goldberg has been noticeably absent from The View in recent days, with co-host Joy Behar confirming that the longtime moderator was battling the flu. 

However, some fans are speculating whether Goldberg’s recent appearance at Saturday Night Live’s (SNL) 50th Anniversary Special played a role in her illness

—or if she was sidelined by the high-profile event itself.

Whoopi’s Recent Absence from The View

Goldberg, 69, missed multiple episodes of The View last week, leaving Behar to fill in as moderator. 

During the broadcast, Behar informed the audience that Goldberg was out sick, urging everyone to be cautious as flu cases rise.

“Whoopi is still out with the flu. It’s going around, be careful,” Behar said, adding that the panel hoped Goldberg would return soon.

While illness has kept Goldberg away from the show before, this particular absence comes on the heels of her recent trip to SNL’s 50th-anniversary celebration—raising eyebrows about a possible connection.

Whoopi’s Busy Schedule Before Falling Ill

Goldberg has had a packed schedule in recent weeks. In January, she traveled to Paris for fashion week, where she teased a “secret” that she later revealed: she will be presenting an award at the Oscars on March 2 in Los Angeles.

Despite her jet-setting lifestyle, Goldberg managed to return to The View and maintain her regular duties—until she attended SNL 50. The legendary sketch show’s milestone special was a star-studded event featuring appearances from some of Hollywood’s biggest names, including Meryl Streep, Emma Stone, and Paul Rudd.

Goldberg was spotted on the red carpet, mingling with fellow celebrities before attending the main event. She even made it back to The View for two days following the show before suddenly falling ill.

Was SNL 50 a COVID Hotspot?

Adding to the speculation surrounding Goldberg’s illness is the fact that several attendees of SNL 50 have since tested positive for COVID-19. Comedy legend Steve Martin revealed on Instagram that both Martin Short and Maya Rudolph contracted the virus following the event.

Martin jokingly referred to it as the “SNL 50 COVID curse,” sharing a photo of Short and Rudolph embracing at the celebration.

Although Goldberg’s illness has only been described as the flu, some fans are wondering if the packed SNL event—where hundreds of past and present cast members, hosts, and celebrities were gathered in close quarters—may have contributed to her sudden sickness.

Colin Jost’s SNL 50 Joke—Accidental Foreshadowing?

During SNL’s Weekend Update segment on the special, Colin Jost made a joke about the current “quad-demic,” referencing the rise of COVID-19, the flu, RSV, and norovirus during the winter months.

“So we did the smart thing and packed every beloved entertainer over 60 into one tiny space,” Jost quipped.

Given that multiple attendees have since reported illness, Jost’s comment seems to have been an unintentional prediction of what was to come.

Whoopi’s Oscar Plans in Jeopardy?

Goldberg’s illness couldn’t have come at a worse time, as she is gearing up for a major moment at the Academy Awards. During her return from Paris, she revealed that she will be presenting an award at the Oscars ceremony on March 2—a prestigious honor for the EGOT-winning star.

However, if her flu symptoms persist or if she tests positive for COVID-19, she may have to reconsider her appearance at the event.

With less than two weeks until the Oscars, fans are hoping Goldberg makes a swift recovery so she can attend Hollywood’s biggest night.

Conclusion

While it remains unclear if Goldberg’s illness is directly linked to SNL 50, the timing has certainly raised questions. The high-profile event has already been identified as a hotspot for illness, with multiple attendees testing positive for COVID-19.

Regardless of the cause, Goldberg’s health remains the top priority, and her The View co-hosts, as well as fans, are wishing her a speedy recovery. Whether she’ll be back on the talk show before the Oscars—or if her award presentation could be in jeopardy—remains to be seen.

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