Joy Behar's Candid View on the Emmys, Rosie and More

TVGuide.com: What's with that guy anyway? How can you have a billion, jillion dollars and still be that petty and small?
Behar: He's verysmall. And you know what they say about guys like that: small-minded, small… well, you know where I'm going. He's a pain. But you know what? It juices up the show because Rosie gets mad. She can't take it.

TVGuide.com: As a comedian, you've always had balls, but you're in a whole new place now. It's like you're finally owning the right to be mouthy and outrageous and tell it like it is. Do you credit this to Rosie's arrival? 
Behar: There is something going on now that's very different. Rosie has been a big shot in the arm. It's like we've gone radical. There were certain restraints before — I won't go into what that dynamic was — but the restraints have been lifted and Rosie and I encourage each other to say whatever we want. Can you call her and tell her to stay?

TVGuide.com: Some predicted this would be a match made in hell.
Behar: People were afraid. They said, "Two comedians? No way. They'll be competitive." Well, it's not true. It's a much better match than people thought. 

TVGuide.com: As funny as you both are, there's also an urgency and passion to your opinions now. You're rabidly political and hyperemotional. 
Behar: There was a time at the beginning of this administration where we had to walk on tenterhooks. Not anymore. This administration is done! We're exercising our First Amendment rights every day on our show. It's important, and nobody else is doing it except for Bill Maher. The Daily Show and The Colbert Report are scripted — I'm talking about off-the-cuff stuff. 

TVGuide.com: It's all working so well that we're starting to resent the intrusion of the guests. Why can't it all be hot topics? It's a drag to cut that short, in order to let someone come on and peddle a movie.          
Behar: We've always wanted to do more hot topics, and I don't know what prevented that. Now we talk for almost half an hour. But I know what you mean. I'm going to push for us doing one day a week where it's all hot topics, like on a day where there's a lot going on and especially as we get closer to the election. 

TVGuide.com: Since Rosie showed up, we're liking Elisabeth Hasselbeck, and Barbara Walters has warmed up nicely, too. She's more relaxed and not so schoolmarmish. So this is looking like the perfect combo. Do you really need these guest hosts?
Behar: I'm not wild about the idea unless it's someone the audience already knows really well, like Whoopi Goldberg. That way we can jump into the hot topics immediately without having to explain who the guest host is and take up time interviewing her.

TVGuide.com: So there's no need to find a permanent replacement for Star Jones?
Behar: I say leave it alone. It's working the way it is!

Get a look at the new Star Jones, who's getting her own Court TV series this fall, in the March 19 issue of TV Guide. Click here to subscribe.

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