Rosie O'Donnell lashes out at Barbara Walters -- again

While promoting her upcoming NBC variety special, “Rosie Live,” Rosie O’Donnell couldn't avoid questions about her controversial time on "The View."

Barbara Walters, she told reporters on Wednesday morning, “wanted everyone to believe and think and act as if [the women on ‘The View’] get along and are really good friends and happy and hang out together, and, you know, that’s just not the reality.

“I’m not saying they loathe each other, but the fact of the matter is, there was not a lot of camaraderie off camera.”

O’Donnell famously exited the ABC daytime talk show after months of politically charged bickering with her co-hosts, among them Elisabeth Hasselbeck, who came under scrutiny again in this election year as the show’s only staunchly conservative voice.

But she conceded “arguing about politics is not the best use of my talent.”

“I didn’t grow up thinking, ‘I hope I can talk about politics.’ If you watch my stand-up comedy, I talk about my life, my family. It only became about [politics] with the job on ‘The View.’ ”

And so the comedian returns to her roots with next week’s feel-good variety show, which she promised would be free of anything serious.

“The job description here is to entertain. ... It will be an hour of fun, laughter, singing and dancing. No politics. No arguing. No talking about controversial things. That, to me, is what is needed now.”

O’Donnell said the economic downturn could even mark the return of the variety genre. “I think they’ll all come back in a few years. The timing is right for this. The economy has made it so families are staying home more.”

Guests scheduled to appear on “Rosie Live” include Liza Minnelli, Alec Baldwin, Ne-Yo, Alanis Morissette, Gloria Estefan, Kathy Griffin and Jane Krakowski. If NBC chooses to pick up the show, O’Donnell says it will be produced in six-episode installments, the first of which would arrive in January.

Some reporters questioned why O’Donnell had been “oddly absent” from the uproar of California’s passing of Proposition 8, which denies same-sex marriage in the state.

But the comedian scoffed at the idea. “This is nothing new for me. When I got married, it was an act of civil disobedience as much as it was a love story. There is not any person in the country who doesn’t know I’m for gay marriage.

“I’m not vocal enough? I got married before anyone else did. I’ve been living it and living it for a very long time."

“Rosie Live” airs Nov. 26 at 8 p.m.

-- Denise Martin

Photo credit: NBC Universal

Comments

[Robinann]

Oh please, give it a rest, Rosie!

[Jay]

That headline is BEYOND misleading. Stating what she believed is hardly "lashing out" - it isn't as if she called Barbara Walters a name or accused her of ill-intentions. She simply stated what she believed to be true - that Ms. Walters tries to put a friendlier face than is accurate and that "The View" is a workplace, not necessarily one where you make friends.

[paul serrano]

Yeah right - I predict this latest venture will last as long as her Broadway show....

[TalcumX]

The View made her talk about politcs!? What about the assault on Tom Selleck's gun views on her previous daytme talk show? Regardless of Rosie's political views, it's clear she's unstable... she's angry and unhappy way too often. The media tried to say she was the "Queen of Nice" when nothing was further from the truth. Why does she keep bashing Barbara Walters? Why can't she get along with others who have differing viewpoints from hers? The controversy surrounding Rosie is the only reason she is relevant. She's a poor comedian and entertainer and I think it's obvious that her looks aren't her ticket for making money.

[Random Reader]

This photo makes her look like Boy George.

[Danny Wilcox]

Rosie has done so much to fight for gay rights. She is not a woman who fears a good strong argument and her personality was much too strong for "The View" Come back to us and let us hear that strong voice speaking out for freedom.

[EricChicago]

Funny how women with strong opinions in America are always attacked and put down.

She was against the gun lobby which Mr. Selleck was a spokesperson for. She had every right to debate with him.

On the VIEW she had to deal with a right wing Republican reality show star who called dead Iraqi Women and Children "collateral damage" She had every right to speak her mind.

I wish full success for Rosie! She has earned it.

[Dora Glasberg]

Manufactured non-controversy or is that
MANURE-FACTURED, LAT?

[Courtney Lamb]

This is "lashing out"? I hope my worst enemies are as measured and diplomatic as Rosie is at what you seem to think is her most vicious.

[Jack Henry]

Lashing out? Where? Stop exaggerating. Seems that you're lashing out against Rosie.

[P H D]

I hope she falls on her fat A$$.

[Lee-Usa]

Where's the LASHING OUT? Whatever thought process went into the misleading headline was very poor indeed. Stating that there was a lack of comaraderie is hardly LASHING OUT....now is it?

[F]

It's just as my man Donald said, she have some visability, with some small success, but ultimately she will fail, and fade. Hopefully the show is a flop and does not get commissioned.
The pix make her look like a FAT cow.

[Jim M.]

Girlfriend- GET OVER IT!!!

[CAROLE MAYO]

"Class" will tell. Barbara has it. Rosie does not.

[anje kopitar]

they need to put this fat cow in guantanamo . She (it) is terrorizing my eyes every time I have to look at the hog !

[Just Ed]

Hey, no need to bash Boy George!

[Livingstrong]

I support Rossie O'Donnell and wish her the best in her upcoming show. However, I find pretty sad that some people keep on bashing her when she has done so many positive things for others. Fortunately has no problem with her self-esteem and she keeps on speaking out about the things she does not agree with.
I am glad she's coming back to TV and I am sure she will be very successful.

[Ronald]

Rosie has done so many positive things? What could you possibly be referring to? She is a self-absorbed women who has a history of attacking other people. Her only support is the blind support from the gay community. She could become a serial killer and still be honored by them. Give me a break.

[maria]

Has Been Rosie Live, come on. She's setting herself up for a big disappointment.