An unexpected moment on The View quickly became one of the show‘s most talked-about segments after co-host Joy Behar shared a kiss on the lips with actor Anson Mount during a live broadcast, triggering laughter in the studio and widespread discussion online.
Surprise Greeting Becomes Viral Television Moment
The incident unfolded as Anson Mount, 53, appeared on the daytime talk show to promote his latest work.
As he made his way across the panel greeting the hosts, he exchanged handshakes and hugs with Whoopi Goldberg and Sara Haines before arriving at Joy Behar.
After the pair embraced and shared a customary kiss on the cheek, Behar leaned forward with puckered lips.
Mount responded by kissing her on the mouth, after which Behar wrapped an arm around him and appeared to extend the embrace for a few more seconds, drawing an immediate reaction from the audience.
Studio Audience Responds With Laughter
Once Mount took his seat, the lighthearted atmosphere continued as co-host Sunny Hostin handed him a tissue to remove Behar’s lipstick from his lips, prompting laughter from both the audience and the panel.
Hostin joked that it was no surprise Behar had been talking about the actor throughout the morning.
Behar responded with a humorous remark about her age, while Mount joined in the banter.
Whoopi Goldberg also playfully checked on Behar following the unexpected exchange.
Behar recalled that Mount had brought her flowers during his previous appearance on the show years earlier, joking that things had “never been the same” since.
Mount responded by pointing out that he had since gotten married, prompting another humorous reply from Behar.
Actor Reveals His Wife’s Reaction
The moment rapidly spread across social media, leading Mount to address the viral attention in a later interview.
The Star Trek: Strange New Worlds actor revealed that he had jokingly asked his wife, photographer Darah Trang, not to divorce him over the televised kiss.
According to Mount, she found the entire situation amusing and described it as “hilarious.”
Married since 2018, Mount and Trang share two young daughters, Clover and Violet.
Mount Reflects on Why the Clip Gained So Much Attention
Discussing the online reaction, Mount suggested viewers may have been surprised to see him back on The View, noting that his previous appearance had taken place roughly 13 years earlier.
He joked that the birthday flowers he once brought Behar must have left a lasting impression and playfully wondered what she might do the next time he visits the program.
Online Viewers Split Over the Kiss
While the studio audience treated the exchange as harmless comedy, reactions on social media were more divided.
Some viewers argued that the kiss crossed personal boundaries because Mount is married, while others questioned whether the public reaction would have been different if the roles had been reversed and a male television host had kissed a female guest in the same manner.
Others, however, viewed the exchange as a lighthearted, consensual moment between the veteran television personality and the actor, particularly after Mount confirmed that his wife had laughed about the incident.
Anson Mount Continues Success With Star Trek
Mount remains widely recognized for portraying Captain Christopher Pike in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds and Star Trek: Discovery.
His latest appearance on The View was intended to spotlight his ongoing work, but an unscripted on-air kiss ultimately became the headline-making moment that dominated discussion across television and social media.
