(Joy Behar/ Photo By: FilmMagic/GettyImages)

JOY BEHAR is leaving "The View" after its current season.  She's been there since the beginning, which . . . believe it or not . . . was 16 years ago.  (Here's something else you may not believe:  She's 70 years old. She looks AMAZING!)

Joy's contract is up in August, and she opted not to renew her deal.  She says, quote, "It seemed like the right time.  You reach a point when you say to yourself, 'Do I want to keep doing this?'  There are other things on my plate . . .

"I've been writing a play, I've been neglecting my standup."  Joy is also considering another, solo talk show.  There are rumors it could be something on CNN, but nothing's been determined yet.

Joy also has a show on Current TV called "Joy Behar:  Say Anything", although that's expected to end in a few months, once Al Jazeera takes over the programming.

There's no word on who may replace her on "The View".

This makes BARBARA WALTERS the last original yenta . . . but there's also speculation that SHE may be on her way out, too.  On top of that, ELISABETH HASSELBECK isn't signed beyond this season either.