Rosie O’Donnell will sign off as a co-host of “The View” on February 12, 2015. (Photo property of ABC/Getty Images)
By: Jacob Elyachar, jakes-take.com
One of my all-time favorite talk show hosts is Rosie O’Donnell!
I first became a fan of the Queen of Nice when I was eight years-old and watched episodes of her first talk show: The Rosie O’Donnell Show and when she hosted various award shows such as The Grammys and Nickelodeon Kids Choice Awards.
Rosie’s interview style and interaction with her guests such as Sir Elton John, Bette Midler, Tom Cruise, *NSYNC, Whitney Houston, Madonna and her idol, Barbra Streisand, truly captivated me. In addition, she also introduced her viewers to the crafting world and took them on an in-depth look at the Great White Way. After being hooked on her show, my dream was to be in her audience.
Rosie (pictured with Barbara Walters, Joy Behar & Elisabeth Hasselbeck) rejuvenated the ABC talk show by transforming Hot Topics into a must see segment. (Photo property of ABC’s Steve Fenn)
Unfortunately, when she announced her departure from her hit show in 2002, I was sad. I hoped that she would once again make a splash in the world of Daytime TV. Four years later, I was ecstatic to learn that she would join the panel of The View! When Rosie joined Joy Behar, Elisabeth Hasselbeck and the show’s creator, Barbara Walters, on the panel…she rejuvenated the ABC talk show by adding aggressive hot topics such as the country’s political climate and 9/11 into the mix.
Ms. O’Donnell left the show after her hearted verbal confrontation with Elisabeth Hasselbeck over the United States’ then-war in Iraq on May 23, 2007. This episode and several other incidents also lead her on a brief feud with Ms. Walters, which eventually lead to the reconciliation between the two TV titans and return to The View couch on February 7, 2014. Ms. O’Donnell talked about her heart attack, her work on The Fosters and several Hot Topics.
During Ms. Walters’ final week on The View, Rosie reunited with Elisabeth, Joy and previous co-hosts to celebrate Barbara’s time on The View.
After the TV icon’s departure, various media outlets reported that the Powers-That-Be at ABC wanted Rosie to return and co-host with stalwart Whoopi Goldberg. While only a few fans and professionals (including a certain FOX & Friends anchor) were unhappy with the decision, a bulk of the fan base was ecstatic to have her back on the show.
Former White House communications director Nicolle Wallace and Academy Award-nominated actress and choreographer Rosie Perez joined Whoopi and Rosie O when the rebooted ABC talk show returned on September 15, 2014.
Whoopi Goldberg, Rosie Perez, Rosie O’Donnell and Nicolle Wallace pose together while promoting “The View.” (Photo property of ABC’s Yolanda Perez)
I enjoyed watching the blossoming relationship between the four women and I had the unique opportunity to see this group interacted with each other first hand, when I was in the audience this past October. It was one of the best talk show tapings that I have ever been to.
What made this taping so special was Rosie O’Donnell’s Q&A interaction with the audience. After, the audience coordinator handed me the microphone, I asked this following question to her: “How has The View helped you grow as an interviewer?” She responded: “Hmmn…Great Question!” When I heard that response, I knew that a witty comeback was on the horizon. “The show has taught me to get along with people better and rely on the power of Xanax!” The entire studio audience roared in delight.
Some of my favorite highlights from her second time on The View were her Crafty U segments with Barbara, Mario Cantone and Martha Stewart, sharing her obsession with Frozen…which included a Olaf off between her and Olaf voice actor Josh Gad and a baking segment with her longtime friend: Marjorie Johnson.
Rosie, on behalf of millions of fans everywhere, thank you for sharing your point-of-view on The View. Please give our best to your family and we will be waiting for you when you decide to launch a new venture!
