Joy Behar Reveals the Explicit Backstage Jokes That Led to Her Viral Kiss With Anson Mount

Joy Behar is revealing what really led to her viral on-air kiss with Star Trek actor Anson Mount.

Hours after the 83-year-old cohost of The View surprised viewers by grabbing Mount, 53, and kissing him during Wednesday, July 22’s live show, Behar admitted the moment had been building long before the cameras started rolling.

Speaking on The View podcast Behind the Table after the show on Wednesday, July 22 with show producer Brian Teta, Behar revealed she had been cracking NSFW jokes backstage about Mount’s name all morning before finally making her move.

“We’re here with the humper-in-chief, Joy Behar,” Teta joked as he introduced Behar.

When Behar asked why she was being called “the humper,” Teta replied: “Because you just made out with one of our guests.”

Teta recalled that Behar initially wasn’t particularly excited when she heard a Star Trek actor would be appearing on the show.

“Then you realized who it was,” Teta teased. “So as soon as you realized who it was, you became very excited and there was a lot of talk about mounting.”

Behar confirmed she’d been having fun with Mount’s name backstage.

“All morning I’ve been hearing about Anson Mount, and I’ve been making jokes about his name backstage. Then when he came out, I just felt like kissing him.”

Her husband, Steve Janowitz, whom she’s been married to since 2011, was watching the show unfold from home.

“In the middle of the show, I got a text,” Behar explained, adding, “Steve wrote, ‘Cut that out.'”

Mount, meanwhile, is married to photographer Darah Trang, but he appeared to take the surprise in stride. Teta noted that the actor “seemed to be having the time of his life.”

The kiss also isn’t unprecedented for Behar. She and Teta joked that she’s previously locked lips with on-air guests Meredith Vieira, Gillian Anderson and Jane Fonda, as well as cohost Whoopi Goldberg.

Mount has since embraced the viral moment himself. After The View shared a clip on X quoting Behar saying, “I’m old, but I’m not dead!” following the kiss, the actor reposted it and quipped, “VERY MUCH ALIVE, I can attest!”