Rosie O'Donnell Leaving `The View'

[DMApixie]

The Associated Press
Apr 25, 1:00 PM EST


NEW YORK -- Rosie O'Donnell's stormy tenure on "The View" will be a short one. The opinionated host was unable to agree on a contract with ABC, and she'll leave the show in June.

O'Donnell said on the show Wednesday that she wanted to stay for one more year, and ABC wanted three. So she decided to leave, although she said she will appear occasionally next season for things like a planned one-hour special on autism.

"It just didn't work," she said, "and that's show biz. But it's not sad because I loved it here and I love you guys and I'm not going away."

O'Donnell has helped raise the ratings for the daytime chat show invented by Barbara Walters. But her outspokenness has caused continual controversy, including a nasty name-calling feud with Donald Trump that placed Walters squarely in the middle.

"We have had, to say the least, an interesting year," Walters said.

Walters said she had nothing to do with the decision, reached after talks between representatives for ABC Daytime and O'Donnell.

"This is not my doing or my choice," she said.

Walters was frequently left to clean up the damage after O'Donnell. She did it most recently Monday, when O'Donnell was criticized for using bad language and attacking Rupert Murdoch from the dais of the annual New York Women in Communication awards luncheon.

"I would like to point out that Rosie's view is not always mine," Walters said. "I would like to say for the record that I am very fond of Rupert Murdoch."

In the Trump imbroglio, O'Donnell was reportedly mad that Walters did not come more swiftly to her defense, while Trump said Walters told him she didn't want O'Donnell on the show — a claim Walters denied.

Trump quickly went on Fox News Channel Wednesday to claim that O'Donnell was fired by ABC because of remarks made at the Women in Communications luncheon.

"Barbara's the happiest person in the world that Rosie's been fired," Trump said.

Cindi Berger, spokeswoman for both O'Donnell and Walters, denied Trump's claim, wondering how he would know what had happened in contract talks between O'Donnell and ABC.

"She wasn't going to commit to anything for three years and they would not commit to her for one more," Berger said.

Locking in O'Donnell to a three-year deal could protect ABC from year-to-year increases if the ratings continue to be good for the show.

Despite controversy — or maybe because of it — O'Donnell was good business for ABC, owned by the Walt Disney Co. Ratings for "The View" during February sweeps were up 15 percent in key women demographics over the same time in 2006.

Bill Carroll, an expert in the syndication market for Katz Television, said he'd be surprised if ABC didn't try hard to keep O'Donnell, given the attention she brought to the long-running show.

The timing of the announcement doesn't particularly suit O'Donnell if she wants to remain in daytime television. She wouldn't be able to introduce a new program to the syndication market until September 2008, he said. But the company that produced O'Donnell's long-running daytime show has expressed interest in having her back, he said.

O'Donnell has discussed acting on the FX show, "Nip/Tuck." But she has not decided what she wants to do in TV in the future, Berger said.

O'Donnell made headlines repeatedly for comments on "The View," and for testy exchanges with her more conservative partner, Elisabeth Hasselbeck.

She criticized "American Idol" in January for airing humiliating auditions. "Isn't that what America thinks of entertainment? To make fun of someone's physical appearance. And when they leave the room, laugh hysterically at them. Three millionaires, one probably intoxicated."

She accused fellow ABC daytime host Kelly Ripa of making a homophobic remark, said "radical Christianity is just as threatening as radical Islam in a country like America" and has been critical of President Bush.

Statements by public figures are being watched more closely in the post-Don Imus era. The lobbying group Focus on the Family said it was preparing to contact advertisers on "The View" as part of a campaign against O'Donnell. The group is angry at O'Donnell for comments they feel were insulting to Catholics.

[crazykids]

Glad to see her go!

I used to really enjoy her when she had her own show, but she has become way to political for me now. There's one thing to feel the way she does about certain things, but don't try to force your ideas on everyone else! I actually stopped watching The View because of her.

[Christine]

Yippee!

[Jimenyfan]

Yippee!

My thoughts exactly.

[DVC2004]

Good riddance!

[thrillme]

Personally I'd be much happier if she left the planet

[Twinsowner]

Rosie is an embarrasment to Americans. I am glad some of you agree and glad to see her go!!!

[Carol]

Rosie is an embarrasment to Americans.

Really? This American certainly isn't embarrassed.

I for one only started watching this season (not a Walters fan). I guess I can delete the season pass from my Tivo.

Personally I'm not surprised. ABC wanted her for 3 years. I knew she'd never commit to such a long contract.

I wouldn't start cheering, Folks. She'll still be on The View to co-host and do specials - not to mention her stint on Nip/Tuck.

I find it refreshing when someone goes against the grain and speaks their mind like Joy and Rosie do.

[Lynn J Mc]

WOO HOO - I was afraid I was going to have to boycott Disney and ABC. I'm all for free thinking and speaking but when you say the US burned down the Tower 7, Puhleeze.

[2Epcot]

I wouldn't start cheering, Folks. She'll still be on The View to co-host and do specials - not to mention her stint on Nip/Tuck.

There are also rumors that several syndicators are talking to Rosie about hosting her own show again. I liked Rosie when she had her original talk show, but that changed once the show ended and she started acting differently, or started showing her real personality.

[Ian]

Good.

If this means I won't have to constantly see headlines trumpeting her latest opinion on things about which she knows nothing, that's good enough for me.

Even if it's only a few months of silence, I'll take it. She's a blowhard.

I don't care what side of the aisle you're on and whether I agree with you or not. A blowhard is a blowhard is a blowhard ... Rush or Rosie ... it's all the same thing.

[mouseaddict]

Carol...I am with you. She can be a little over the top but it is entertainment..and if I am fed up, I turn the TV off.
I just hope that she continues to use her voice bring awareness to topics such as autism and depression...
BTW, have you seen Trumps' reaction..it is over the top. He is starting to lose it too!
lol

[PirateLover]

Rosie often speaks about things that she obviously has not investigated deeply. It is one thing to go against the grain but it's another to be outrageous just because, which is what I think she does sometimes.

Although I do agree with one of her recent comments, which was a retort against Sheryl Crow and her idea that we should all be able to limit ourselves to one square of toilet paper per usage.... it was along the lines of "have you seen the size of my backside?"

[MNNHFLTX]

Initially I was less than gung-ho about Rosie O'Donnell coming onto "The View", but I have to admit that she's made the show way more interesting. Whether I agreed or disagreed with her viewpoints on various topics, she spoke her mind, that's for sure. And she can be hilarious when she wants to be.

It'll be interesting to see who they bring on as a regular host after she leaves. I'm afraid most people's personalities are going to pale in comparison.

[Melanie]

I really feel this show needs to get some stability in the host department, or it's going to be in trouble. They haven't even replaced Star and now Rosie is leaving too?

I don't always agree with Rosie either, but she does make it interesting and entertaining.

[DisneyGiant]

Really? This American certainly isn't embarrassed.

I for one only started watching this season (not a Walters fan). I guess I can delete the season pass from my Tivo.

Personally I'm not surprised. ABC wanted her for 3 years. I knew she'd never commit to such a long contract.

I wouldn't start cheering, Folks. She'll still be on The View to co-host and do specials - not to mention her stint on Nip/Tuck.

I find it refreshing when someone goes against the grain and speaks their mind like Joy and Rosie do.

I felt the same way. I was really bummed when I heard the news.

At least I have her blog to check daily for my Rosie fix.

Don't understand how so many people seem to "hate' her. It seems she's a very polarizing figure - you either love her or hate her....... Seems sad that people hate her - seeing how much she does for charity and children - not to mention her large donation to the Fallen Heroes Fund.

I can't think of one person that I out and out hate and won't watch on TV.

Rumor is that HBO might pick her up to do a Bill Maher type show when she is on vacation. That would be awesome!

Interesting to see how the View is going to fare. I keep hoping that ABC will change their minds and give her the one year contract........

[JRocker]

Yes, I am doing a happy dance for her departure.

I really don't mind people who are outspoken, and pursue topics with vigor. A lot of times these passionate arguments can encourage some serious thought. But it is different with Rosie.

Two things that made me a former Rosie fan:

She fails to learn about the issues before she spouts off. Which is still not all to unusual for the Hollywierd crowd (actually kinda the norm).

The main issue I have, is most of her little rants are brimming over with personal attacks and hate. Pure hate. I have no use for that.

[PirateLover]

I can't think of one person that I out and out hate and won't watch on TV.

First of all, I read through the posts and I don't see anyone on here that has said they "hate" her. I'm not trying to cause trouble, but as soon as I read this I immediately remembered your post from the Ten Commandments thread:

"I am sad to say - I stopped watching it when Chuck got all political."

What is the difference?
Rosie is to be commended for her charity work, but she has said some things that are very offensive. She has offended Christians and Catholics in particular on multiple occasions, she mocked the Chinese by using an age old stereo-type, she gave credence to 9/11 conspiracy theories by saying that she believes WTC7 was blown up by the US. She stuck to that belief even after reading a Popular Mechanics investigation into the situation that proved otherwise.

So while she may still have some funny bones in her body and make me laugh on occasion, I can completely understand why people do not like her anymore and choose not to watch her.

[NotaGeek]

I never watched The View until this year. Doubt it will remain on my TiVo List.

I think that people forget that he show is called "The View" and not "The View that is really popular with most people".

I say speak you mind, I love that Rosie isn't afraid of standing UP for what she thinks is right. Funny, though, she is a HUGE humanitarian and supports so many good causes, has foundations, is a staunch supporter of theater, yet people really hate her merely because her political views are liberal. Back when she was the person that everyone wanted her to be she was loved.

I will never understand it.

[eas423]

There is a clear difference between voicing your opinion or "view" and ramming it down others throats, not listening to other views and being disrespectful of those differing views.

I continued to watch The View after Rosie joined. I didn't always agree with her opinions, but hence the point of the show. But after 4-5 months, I was sick of the way she abused her role as moderator and didn't allow others to express their opinion. She became out and out RUDE if you didn't see things the way she did. Thats unacceptable, and why I deleted the show from my DVR.

So good riddance.