Oh, Joy Behar – the fiery, unfiltered queen of daytime TV, the woman who’s been slaying hot takes and hilarious one-liners since before most of us could tie our shoes. Born on October 7, 1942, in Brooklyn to Italian immigrant parents, Joy turns 83 this year (that’s right, folks – she’s aging like the finest Chianti, getting bolder and more fabulous with every candle). As the longest-running co-host on The View since its 1997 debut, she’s not just a TV icon; she’s a cultural force, a comedian, author, and even a playwright with her Off-Broadway debut My First Ex-Husband hitting stages in 2025. But birthdays? Joy’s always kept them low-key… until her co-hosts decide to crank up the chaos. So, what did this “hot Italian woman” (as her pal Nathan Lane calls her) score for her big day? Buckle up – we’re diving into the gifts, the giggles, and that unprecedented surprise that’s got everyone talking.

First off, let’s talk presents. Joy’s not one for extravagant hauls – remember last year when she basically told her co-hosts to skip the fuss and “just do the show” for her 82nd? But turning 83? The love poured in from fans and friends alike. Social media lit up with shoutouts from celebs like Whoopi Goldberg (who posted a throwback pic captioned “Still slaying at 83!”), and even former co-hosts like Meghan McCain chimed in with a cheeky “Happy Birthday, Joy – may your year be as spicy as your opinions.” Family-wise, Joy’s hubby of 14 years, retired teacher Steve Janowitz, kept it sweet and simple: whispers of a quiet dinner at their New York apartment, complete with her favorite homemade tiramisu (because nothing says “I love you” like caffeine and mascarpone). And from the View crew? Expect the usual mix of gag gifts – think a custom mug saying “World’s Okayest Co-Host” from Sara Haines, or a stack of sassy coffee table books on aging gracefully (or not) from Sunny Hostin. But the real gems? Fan art flooding her Instagram: caricatures of Joy as a superhero cape-wearing truth-teller, battling bad politics one quip at a time. If I had to guess her top “gift,” it’s the outpouring of adoration – over 50,000 birthday posts on X alone, proving she’s not just surviving Hollywood; she’s owning it.

Now, the main event: The View‘s surprise. Oh boy, did they deliver something unprecedented – a gift so cheeky, so over-the-top, it had the entire Hot Topics table in hysterics and Joy fanning herself like it was a heatwave in July. Picture this: It’s October 4, 2024 (early celebration for her 82nd, but the vibes carried over big-time for 83), and guest star Nathan Lane – Joy’s longtime Broadway buddy from their Hairspray days – strolls in chatting about his latest gig in Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story. The banter’s flying: Nathan teases, “You look the same since 1998 – the Paul Rudd of daytime TV!” Joy fires back, “Black don’t crack, but Italian doesn’t either!” Then, co-host Ana Navarro hits him with the classic: “No gift for the birthday girl?” Nathan grins mischievously: “Oh, I brought something special – a hot Italian pizza for my hot Italian friend.”

Cue the studio doors swinging open. In struts a “pizza delivery guy” – pizza box in hand, but zero interest in actual dough. Nope, this was no ordinary topping: It was a full-on, Magic Mike-style male stripper routine! Dressed in a tight uniform that left just enough to the imagination at first, the performer launches into a gyrating dance – thrusting, twirling, and peeling off layers to reveal chiseled abs and zero regrets. Joy? Priceless. She bursts into laughter, slaps her note cards over her face in mock shock (“Oh my God!”), then peeks through, cheering him on as he “delivers” right next to her chair. The co-hosts lose it: Whoopi whoops, Sara Haines claps wildly, Sunny fans herself, and Ana eggs him closer with “Get it, Joy!” Nathan? He’s cackling from the couch, owning the prank like the showman he is. The routine clocks in at a TV-safe two minutes of pure, unadulterated fun – think less full monty, more flirty fantasy – but it was enough to break the internet. Clips went viral faster than a political scandal, racking up millions of views and headlines screaming “Joy Behar’s Steamiest Birthday Ever!”

Why was this unprecedented? The View has done cakes, songs, and roast sessions galore, but a live strip-o-gram on network daytime TV? That’s next-level naughty – a bold, body-positive nod to Joy’s no-holds-barred spirit at 83. It screamed, “Age is just a number, but fun is forever.” Joy later quipped on air, “I didn’t fact-check my age today, but this gift? Five stars – extra cheese!” Married life with Steve? Unfazed – he’s the chill type who laughs it off, knowing Joy’s heart (and her hot takes) belong to the spotlight.

In a world of scripted celeb birthdays, Joy’s feels refreshingly real: a mix of heartfelt nods and hilarious hijinks that remind us why we tune in. Here’s to 83 more years of her keeping it 100 – or, in this case, keeping it steamy. Happy Birthday, Joy! What’s your wildest birthday wish? Drop it below – who knows, maybe The View will make it happen next year. 🎉🍕💃