Joy Behar dishes on Rosie, Star and "The View"

Rosie gets all the attention these days but from the early days of "The View," I have always found Joy Behar to be an absolute riot. And as the years go on, she has shown herself to be intelligent, perceptive and articulate...and still a riot. TV Guide.com's Michael Logan had a chat with Behar and she lets loose about Rosie and her show's losing streak at the Emmys with the show scoring 10 nods this year including best talk show and best hosts.
Here is much of the Q&A:
Will "The View" finally win some Emmys?
Behar: "Are you kidding? We never win! Our show might win this year, but the host thing is the problem. The judges don't go for multiple hosts because there's always someone to hate. The only time Regis Philbin won was when he was hosting his show alone [after Kathie Lee Gifford and before Kelly Ripa]. The voters have issues, you know? It's weird. We'll see what happens. It's just an award. A doorstop. Still, we're on a roll, aren't we? "
TVGuide.com: Nobody but a fool would miss The View these days. It's train-wreck TV. We can't not watch.
Behar:" Did you see us all flip our hair together in solidarity against the Donald? He's thrown down the gauntlet again. [Trump made wisecracks on Entertainment Tonight about Rosie O'Donnell's battle with depression.] He's very small. 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? 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: 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!