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EspañolROSIE O'DONNELL
'Roseann Theresa "Rosie" O'Donnell' (born March 21, 1962 in Bayside, Queens, New York) is an 11-time Emmy Award-winning American comedienne, talk show host, television personality, celebrity blogger, film, television, stage actress, and lesbian.
Early life
O'Donnell was the third of five children born to Edward and Roseann O'Donnell. Four days before her 11th birthday on March 17, 1973, O'Donnell's mother died of breast cancer[1] She was raised in Commack, New York.
In high school, she began exploring her comic interest beginning with a high school skit in which she imitated Gilda Radner’s character Roseanne Rosannadanna.1
After graduating, O'Donnell briefly attended Dickinson College, later transferring to Boston University but dropped out.
Early career
Stand-up/Club Comedienne
O'Donnell toured standup clubs from 1979 to 1984.[2] She got her first big break on ''Star Search'', explaining on ''Larry King Live'':[3]
TV Career Takes Off
After this success, she moved on to television sitcom comedy, making her series debut as Nell Carter's neighbor on ''Gimme a Break!'' in 1986.
O'Donnell at the Emmy Awards in 1992
In 1988, she transferred to VH1, where she hosted ''Stand-up Spotlight'', a showcase for up-and-coming comedians. In 1992 she starred in ''Stand By Your Man'', a Fox Network sitcom co-starring Melissa Gilbert. The show bombed, just as O'Donnell's movie career took off.
Movie Career Takes Off
O'Donnell made her feature film debut in ''A League Of Their Own'' alongside Tom Hanks and Madonna. Throughout her career, she has taken on an eclectic range of roles: she appeared in ''Sleepless in Seattle'' as Meg Ryan's best friend; Betty Rubble in the live-action film adaptation of The Flintstones with John Goodman; with co-star Timothy Hutton in ''Beautiful Girls''; she voiced a female gorilla in Disney's ''Tarzan''; and played a baseball-loving nun in M. Night Shyamalan's ''Wide Awake''.
''The Rosie O'Donnell Show''
In 1996, she began hosting a daytime talk show, ''The Rosie O'Donnell Show''. The show proved extremely successful, winning multiple Emmy awards, and earning O'Donnell the title of "The Queen of Nice" for her style of light-hearted banter with her guests and interactions with the audience. As part of her playful banter with her studio audience, O'Donnell often launched koosh balls at the crowd and camera.[4]
With New York City as the show's homebase, O'Donnell displayed her love of Broadway musicals and plays by having cast members as guests, encouraging the audience to see shows, premiering production numbers as well as promoting shows with ticket give-aways. After the 9/11 attacks Broadway and tourism in New York City was down and many shows were in danger of closing. O'Donnell was amongst many in the entertainment field that help the city rebound by encouraging folks to visit and support the performing arts.
On the show, O'Donnell frequently highlighted various charitable projects. After the September 11th terrorist attacks, she announced that she would donate $1 million dollars for aid in the rescue efforts. She encouraged other celebrities and citizens alike to "give till it hurts". In 2002, she left her talk show. The show was then hosted by comedian Caroline Rhea (the show was renamed ''The Caroline Rhea Show'') and ran for one additional season.
Gun control controversies
After the Columbine shootings, O'Donnell became an outspoken supporter of gun control and a major figure in the Million Mom March.[5][6] During the April 19, 1999, broadcast of her talk show, she stated, "You are not allowed to own a gun, and if you do own a gun, I think you should go to prison."[7] O'Donnell has since attempted to reconcile her stance by remarking, "I don't personally own a gun, but if you are qualified, licensed and registered, I have no problem."[8]
On May 19, 1999, a month after the Columbine shootings, O'Donnell interviewed actor Tom Selleck, who was promoting a film ''The Love Letter''. After a commercial break, O'Donnell confronted him about his recent commercial for the NRA and challenged him about the NRA's position on the use of assault rifles. According to Selleck, the two had agreed not to discuss the topic prior to his appearance on the show.[9] O'Donnell maintains that Selleck and his publicist had been informed that the topic would be discussed. She said at the end of the segment the conversation had "not gone the way I had hoped" and added "if you feel insulted by my questions, I apologize, because it was not a personal attack. It was meant to bring up the subject as it is in the consciousness of so many today."[10][11] Around the same time, the cast from ''Annie Get Your Gun'' was to appear on the show but refused O'Donnell's request to remove the line "I can shoot a partridge with a single cartridge" from the song "Anything You Can Do" and agreed to perform "My Defenses Are Down" instead. O'Donnell Fires Back
Later in 1999, O'Donnell discontinued her contract with Kmart as their spokeswoman. Gun enthusiasts complained that she shouldn't be the spokeperson for the largest gun retailer, O'Donnell countered that "Kmart is, in fact, a seller of hunting rifles, not handguns or assault weapons. Such sales are not illegal or immoral in any way when they are conducted ... with background checks and safety locks available." Kmart employees told the ''New York Daily News'' that it was Kmart who terminated the agreement with O'Donnell, which both Kmart and O'Donnell denied publicly.[12]
In May 2000, O'Donnell's bodyguard applied for a concealed firearm permit in Connecticut. O'Donnell stated that it was not she who requested the permit, but Kroll, the security firm through which the guard was hired and was contracted by O'Donnell's employer Warner Brothers. Numerous parents of children who attended the same school as O'Donnell's children expressed their concern about the possibility of O'Donnell's bodyguard being armed while on school grounds. O'Donnell confirmed "the guard does not normally have a gun, but is trained in self-defense techniques. And there was never any intention of his carrying a gun at school." O'Donnell added that because of threats, she and her family -- including 4-year-old Parker who will be attending school next fall -- need protection, which she attributes, ironically, to her "tough gun-control rhetoric".[13][14]
Charitable Works
Charitable Book Deal
In May 1996, Warner Books advanced O'Donnell $3 million to write a memoir. She used the money to seed her For All Kids foundation to help institute national standards for day care across the country. Her memoir, ''Find Me'', was released in April 2002 and became the second highest on the ''New York Times'' Bestseller List.[15]
Listerine Charity Kissing
Fineman Associates public relations in San Francisco awarded top prize to Procter & Gamble Co.'s designation of O'Donnell as "unkissable" in a promotion for its Scope mouthwash on the 1997 annual list of the nation's worst public relations blunders.[16] In response to the promotion, the "unkissable" O'Donnell partnered with Warner Lambert's competing mouthwash Listerine who donated bottles of Listerine to the studio audience and agreed to donate $1,000 to charity every time a hosted guest would kiss her up to $500,000 in exchange for O'Donnell plugging their product for free. On occasion, the guests would offer multiple kisses. ''People'' reports "She smooched her way to more than $350,000."[17]
Personal contribution
On December 15, 2006, at a one-night charity event on the cruiseship Norwegian Pearl, Elizabeth Birch, Executive Director for the Rosie's For All Kids Foundation, confirmed that $50 million from her five-year contract with O'Donnell's talk show were donated in an irrevocable trust to charity.[18] She is also reported to have contributed several hundred thousand dollars to rehabilitate contemporary war veterans who have lost limbs in Iraq and Afghanistan.
"For All Kids" foundation
Since 1997, Rosie's For All Kids Foundation has awarded more than $22 million in Early Childhood Care and Education program grants to over 900 nonprofit organizations.[19] On October 30, 2006, she was honored by the New York Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children. "It's our privilege to be honoring and hosting Rosie," said NYSPCC president David Stack in a statement. "Her Rosie's for All Kids Foundation has awarded more than $22 million in grants to over 1,400 child-related organizations, and that's just one of her many impressive activities on behalf of children."
On November 1, 2006, ''Nightline'' aired a video report[20] about the opening of The Children's Plaza and Family Center in Renaissance Village, a FEMA trailer park in Louisiana. This was an emergency response initiative of Rosie's For All Kids Foundation with the help of many local nonprofit organizations and for-profit businesses, all efforts were to assist the families displaced by Hurricane Katrina.
On May 18, 2007, O'Donnell and Pogo Games announced a joint-effort to raise money for Rosie's All Kids Foundation. EA, which owns Pogo, committed $30,000 and more money can be raised based on the amount of playing time people spend on certain games. They are also holding a sweepstakes in which winners get to fly to New York and meet Rosie and attend a charity function as her guest.
"Rosie's Broadway Kids"
In 2003, Rosie and Kelli O'Donnell collaborated with Artistic Director Lori Klinger to create "Rosie's Broadway Kids", dedicated to providing free instruction in music and dance to New York City public schools or students. Rosie's Broadway Kids serves more than 4,500 teachers, students, and their family members at 21 schools.[21] Currently programs are in Harlem, Midtown West, Chelsea, Lower East Side, East Village, and Chinatown.
True Colors Tour
During the summer of 2007 Rosie was a guest on the multi-artist True Colors Tour,[22] which traveled through 15 cities in the United States and Canada. The tour, sponsored by the gay cable channel Logo, began on June 8, 2007. Hosted by comedian Margaret Cho and headlined by Cyndi Lauper, the tour also included Debbie Harry, Erasure, The Gossip, Rufus Wainwright, The Dresden Dolls, The MisShapes, Indigo Girls, The Cliks and other special guests. Profits from the tour helped to benefit the Human Rights Campaign as well as P-FLAG and The Matthew Shepard Foundation.[23]
Rosie Magazine
In 2000, O'Donnell partnered with the publishers of ''McCall's'' to revamp the magazine as ''Rosie's McCall's'' (or, more commonly, ''Rosie''). The magazine was launched as a competitor to fellow talk show hostess Oprah Winfrey's monthly magazine. ''Rosie'' covered issues including breast cancer, foster care and other matters of concern to O'Donnell. In the September 2000 issue she shared that "she has struggled with depression her entire life" and decided to start medications when she realized her fears were affecting her family.[24]
With a strong start and a circulation close to 3.5 million things looked promising but the magazine stumbled as conflicts emerged between O'Donnell and the editors. The contract gave O'Donnell control over editorial process and editorial staff but veto power remained with publisher Gruner+Jahr USA. O'Donnell quit the magazine in September 2002 following a dispute over editorial control. "If I'm going to have my name and my brand on the corner of a magazine, it has to be my vision" she told People.[25] Rosie magazine folded in 2003.
In late 2003, O'Donnell and the publishers each sued the other for breach of contract. The publishers claimed that, by removing herself from the magazine's publication, she was in breach of contract. The trial received considerable press coverage. O'Donnell would often give brief press interviews outside of the courtroom responding to various allegations. Of note was a former magazine colleague and breast cancer survivor who testified that O'Donnell said to her on the phone that people who lie "get sick and they get cancer. If they keep lying, they get it again".[26] O'Donnell apologized the next day and stated "I'm sorry I hurt her the way I did, that was not my intention." The judge ruled against both sides and dismissed the case.
In 2006, O'Donnell responded to a question on the "Ask Ro" section of her website in which she stated that she would love to do another magazine. O'Donnell also said she has written a new book, due out this summer. It is to be called ''Celebrity Detox''.
Books
In 2002, O'Donnell wrote ''Find Me,'' a combination of memoir, mystery and detective story with an underlying interest in re-uniting birth mothers with their children. In addition to cataloging her childhood and early adulthood, the book delved into O'Donnell's relationship with a woman with multiple personality disorder who posed as an under-aged teen who had become pregnant by rape. The book reached number two on the ''New York Times'' bestseller list.
On October 2, 2007, O'Donnell will release ''Celebrity Detox'', her second memoior which will focus on the struggles with leaving fame behind, noting her exits on ''The Rosie O'Donnell Show'' and ''The View''.
Coming Out Publicly
In her January 31, 2002, appearance on the sitcom ''Will & Grace'', she played a lesbian mom. A month later as part of her act at the Ovarian Cancer Research benefit at Caroline's Comedy Club O'Donnell came out as a lesbian, announcing "I'm a dyke!" "I don't know why people make such a big deal about the gay thing. ... People are confused, they're shocked, like this is a big revelation to somebody."[27] The announcement came two months before the end of the hosting of her talk show.
Although she also cited the need to put a face to gays and lesbians her primary reason was to bring attention to the gay adoption issue. O'Donnell also is a foster — and adoptive — mother. She protested against adoption agencies, particularly in Florida, that refused adoptive rights to gay and lesbian parents.
Diane Sawyer interviewed O'Donnell in a March 14, 2002, episode of ''PrimeTime Thursday'', she told ''USA Today'' she chose to talk to Sawyer because she wanted an investigative piece on Florida's ban on gay adoption. She told Sawyer if that was done, "I would like to talk about my life and how (the case) pertains to me." She spoke about the two gay men in Florida who face having a foster child they raised removed from their home. State law won't let them adopt because Florida bans gay or bisexual people from adopting.[27]
Image transformation
After leaving her show and coming out, O'Donnell returned to stand-up comedy, and cut her hair. Within her first few shows, she abandoned the "Queen of Nice" image she had previously cultivated. She made fun of various celebrities, among them Michael Jackson, Liza Minnelli, Diana Ross, Martha Stewart, Oprah Winfrey, Winona Ryder, and Joan Rivers.
O'Donnell told the press that her haircut was meant to mimic the haircut of former Culture Club backup singer Helen Terry.[29]
She subsequently attributed the haircut as a way to emulate Boy George, in hopes that he would allow her to produce his stage show ''Taboo''. O'Donnell subsequently invested in and produced the show, but it was an expensive failure on Broadway.
Family life
On February 26, 2004, O'Donnell married Kelli Carpenter, a former Nickelodeon marketing executive, in San Francisco two weeks after SF's Mayor Gavin Newsom authorized the granting of marriage licenses to same-sex couples. Her decision to go to San Francisco to marry Carpenter was intended as a show of defiance against President George W. Bush over his support for the Federal Marriage Amendment. The license was voided by the California Supreme Court.
The couple are parents to adopted children Parker Jaren (born May 25, 1995), Chelsea Belle (born September 20, 1997), and Blake Christopher (born December 5, 1999). Their fourth child, Vivienne Rose (who was conceived through sperm donation) was born November 29, 2002 to Carpenter.
Rosie and her family currently reside in Nyack, New York, a suburb of New York City that is located in Rockland County.
O'Donnell's brother Daniel, who is also gay, represents the Upper West Side of Manhattan as a member of the New York State Assembly. [30]
O'Donnell and fellow actress Bridget Moynahan are 3rd cousins.[31]
R Family Vacations
In 2004 O'Donnell and Carpenter partnered with travel entrepreneur Gregg Kaminsky to launch R Family Vacations catering to both gays and lesbians, "the very first all gay and lesbian family vacation packages" where "gays and lesbians can bring their kids, their friends, and their parents."[32] Although O'Donnell is not involved on a day-to-day basis, she does contribute to the creative aspects of "advertising and marketing materials" and initiated the idea for the company when she filled in as a last-minute replacement headliner on one of Kaminsky's Atlantis Events gay cruises and also came up with the name "R Family Vacations."[33] Kaminsky was previously a Vice President for Atlantis Events, the largest and most successful all-gay cruise company producing "all-gay vacations in Africa, Europe, Australia, the Caribbean, and Mexico" and his partner is also a business partner of O'Donnell's. [34]
On July 11, 2004, the first cruise was held aboard Norwegian Cruise Lines's Norwegian Dawn which holds 2,200 passengers, the ship was over 70 percent full with 1600 passengers[35] including 600 children.[36] In addition to traditional entertainment and recreational activities, the company partnered with Provincetown’s Family Pride, a 25-year-old Washington, D.C.-based organization that advocates for GLBT families[37] to host discussions on "adoption, insemination, surrogacy, and everything else that would be helpful to gay parenting.”[38] Metropolitan Community Church, the predominantly GLBT Christian denomination, had clergy on board to perform wedding ceremonies and conduct interfaith services and there was also discussion groups for kids and a panel discussion where teens could share their experiences of growing up with gay and lesbian parents.
A documentary film about the trip looked inside the lives of some of the 500 families that cruised from New York to the Bahamas. The documentary, ''All Aboard: Rosie's Family Cruise'', debuted on HBO on April 6, 2006, and is now available on DVD. The film was nominated for three Emmy Awards. Of the experience O'Donnell stated "we didn’t really realize the magic that was going to take place. People who had never met another gay family met other families and it was powerful."
In 2007 the annual cruise dropped Bermuda from its itinerary because another of the Norwegian Cruise Lines' all gay cruises was met by a hundred Christian "protesters chanting anti-gay slogans" in nearby Nassau, Bahamas[39] and the R Family cruise itself was being targeted by an interfaith group of 80 churches called United By Faith[40] who were calling for the trip to be cancelled or they would protest when the ship arrived. United By Faith's spokesman, Andre Curtis, is also chairman of Faith Based Tourism for Bermuda [Politics of Bermuda|Tourism Ministry] as well as being responsible for running Premier Dr. Ewart Brown’s constituency committee in Warwick South Central, where Brown will be seeking re-election.[41] Although Brown, who is also the Minister of Tourism and Transport in Bermuda's Cabinet "dismissed requests" for the cruise to be cancelled [42] R Families changed the itinerary to instead visit two stops in Florida and a private island. Kaminsky stated "If we didn't have kids on board and there were protesters, we would go, but we did not want to expose kids to that hatred while they were on vacation."[43]
''The View''
During the 2006 Daytime Emmy Awards, Barbara Walters announced that O'Donnell would become a co-host on the talk show The View. On September 5 2006, she officially replaced Meredith Vieira as a co-host and moderator of the show and was to join the cast including Star Jones who instead opted to quit, some speculating Jones' more conservative views would be in constant tension with O'Donnell's more liberal counterpoint. Another theory was that O'Donnell had disputed Jones' route of rapid weight loss, alluding that it must have been gastric bypass surgery rather than dieting and exercise alone.
Quickly acclimating to a four-person format, O'Donnell led the daytime women's chatfest as the moderator steering the opening "Hot Topics" portion of the show where newsworthy items were discussed often accompanied by relevant photos and video clips. Unlike previous seasons, however, politics and taboo subjects were readily explored with the two comics (O'Donnell and Joy Behar) quickly finding humor in the news of the day and often giving strong opinions against President Bush's policies including the war in Iraq which was losing support amongst Americans. As a counterpoint to O'Donnell's more liberal views, conservative co-hostess Elisabeth Hasselbeck would often support the Bush Administration's views and the two would get into an adversarial give-and-take at least until both had made their points.
Always outspoken, O'Donnell sometimes crossed a line with certain audiences when the comedienne would talk politics or veer into religious discussions, at one time stating "radical Christianity is just as threatening as radical Islam" or criticizing fellow TV personalities. In January, 2007 she questioned American Idol for airing auditions that humiliated aspiring singers. “To make fun of someone’s physical appearance. And when they leave the room, laugh hysterically at them. Three millionaires, one probably intoxicated.”[44]
O'Donnell is credited with helping The View be more news-focused while still embracing the "fluff" of daytime TV talkshows discussing celebrities, fashion and food. Despite the overall downward trend for most daytime broadcast shows The View's ratings surged 27% over its year-ago Nielsen numbers with O'Donnell in the moderator's seat. Overall, "The View" was the fourth most watched show in all of daytime in the key demographic of women 18-49, and The View scored record ratings in the total viewer category with an average of 3.4 million viewers -- up 15% vs. the same time in 2005.[45]
The downside of being spontaneous and putting her views in front of a national audience was that comments and clips from the show would be recirculated by other media outlets, often surprising The View co-hosts including O'Donnell. In reaction, she lamented that news outlets were focusing on less important subjects like her comments instead of more important issues.
On April 25 2007, O'Donnell announced she would be leaving the show as a co-host when her contract expires in June because she and the network could not come to terms on the length of a new contract, but that she planned to return as an occasional correspondent.[46]
After extensive interviews with insiders and industry analysts, the weekend editions of celebrity gossip shows, ''Entertainment Tonight'' and ''Inside Edition''[47] broadcast on Saturday, April 28, reported there was more to the issue than initially was announced. O'Donnell allegedly had decided as early as December, following what she perceived as Walters's half-hearted support during her ongoing controversy with Donald Trump, she would not renew her contract and began holding talks with at least one major studio about producing a new talk show. (On her personal blog, O'Donnell admitted interest in hosting an issues-oriented show with audience participation, a format introduced by Phil Donahue.) [48] Both programs cited a ''New York Post'' ''Page Six'' article, a gossip column, detailing O'Donnell's failed attempt to oust Walters from her producer's chair and ABC's growing concerns with her unpredictable outbursts.[49]
On the April 30 episode of ''The View'', Walters announced there was no truth to any published or televised reports without referring to any specific sources. Walters also announced on ''The View'' that O'Donnell would be listed by Time Magazine as one of their 100 most influential people. Walters wrote the article for Time.
On Friday, May 25, 2007, it was announced by ABC and O'Donnell that she would not stay until the end of her contract (which is supposed to end on June 21, 2007). She requested early leave on May 25, after an on-air dispute with co-host Elisabeth Hasselbeck. ABC granted her request.
On August 1, 2007, ABC announced that Whoopi Goldberg would fill O'Donnell's spot on the show.
Controversies
''The View'' achieved higher ratings with O'Donnell's outspoken and candid nature moving the show into a newsworthy spectrum from traditional daytime talk fare. As a big-name talent she drew criticism for her opinions while keeping the show's "buzz factor up.""The Future of The View" TV Guide, June 3, 2006. Retrieved on 2007-06-05. The downside of being spontaneous and putting her views in front of a national audience was that such remarks were often subject of controversy and criticism, especially by conservative commenters and other media outlets, who recirculated comments and clips from the show.
Kelly Ripa / Clay Aiken
On November 20, 2006, O'Donnell commented on ''Live with Regis and Kelly'' co-host Kelly Ripa's words to guest co-host Clay Aiken, when he put his hand over her mouth as if to stop her from talking.[50] Ripa apparently did not appreciate his action and responded, "I just don't know where that hand's been, honey." O'Donnell opined, "If that was a straight man...if that was a guy that she didn't question his sexuality, she would have said a different thing."[51]
Ripa responded to O'Donnell's comments, saying, "I have three kids (and) he's shaking hands with everybody in the audience. It's cold and flu season." O'Donnell also added that in three months on the show she's never before said something was homophobic. "I feel for the kid," O'Donnell said of Aiken, who has been dogged by questions about his sexuality.[52][53]
Accusations of Anti-Catholicism
After a Supreme Court ruling on the Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act she stated, "You know what concerns me? How many Supreme Court judges are Catholic?", adding "How about separation of church and state in America?" She went on to say, "If men could get pregnant, abortion would be a sacrament." conservative talk show host Laura Ingraham to urge her listeners to send protest e-mails to ABC for what she calls O'Donnell's "anti-Catholic bigotry."[54] William A. Donohue, president of the Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights, has accused O'Donnell of engaging in anti-Catholicism on ''The View''. The Catholic League issued a press release stating:
Ever since O’Donnell joined ''The View'' in September...on four occasions between September and the end of December, she has lashed out at the Catholic Church. Ditto for Joy Behar. Their relentless and profoundly ignorant attacks on the Catholic Church and its teachings would never be tolerated by the show’s co-owner, Barbara Walters, if it were Judaism or Islam that was under attack. But when it comes to Catholicism, she gives these two ‘raised’ Catholics all the time they want to vent their adolescent anger.[55]
Mocking Chinese Language
On December 5, 2006, O'Donnell made a comment in reference to the November 29, 2006 appearance on ''The View'' by Danny DeVito who had been up and celebrating most of the night. O'Donnell was amazed that the controversy had become such an international media news item,[56] and joked that it was being talked about as far away as China. "You know, you can imagine in China it's like, 'Ching-chong, ching-chong. Danny DeVito. Ching-chong, ching-chong-chong. Drunk. ''The View''. Ching-chong.'"[57]
Many interpreted her comments as a "mockery of the Chinese language."[58] O'Donnell responded via her publicist that she is a comedian in addition to being a talk show co-host and that was part of her sense of humor. [59]
She apologized to the viewers saying, "To say ching chong to someone is very offensive, and some Asian people have told me it's as bad as the n-word. Which I was like, 'Really? I didn't know that.'"[60] "To anyone who was offended at my Chinese, Asian, pseudo-Japanese, sounded a little Yiddish accent that I was doing, you know, it was never [my] intent to mock, and I'm sorry for those who felt hurt or were teased on the playground.... But I'm also gonna give you a fair warning that there's a good chance I'll do something like that again, probably in the next week — not on purpose. Only 'cause it's how my brain works."[61][62]
On February 24, 2007, O'Donnell wrote a more comprehensive apology on her blog[63] with respect to this incident as a reply to the featured YouTube video "an open letter to all the Rosie O'Donnells" by Beau Sia.[64]
Donald Trump Feud
On December 20, 2006, O'Donnell criticized billionaire Donald Trump for holding a press conference to reinstate Miss USA Tara Conner, accusing him of using her scandal to "generate publicity for the Miss USA Pageant" (to which he owns the rights) by announcing he was giving her a second chance.[65] Conner had violated pageant guidelines by clubbing and drinking underage[66], as well as having "wild nights" and alleged sexual liaisons (including kissing and "dirty dancing") with Miss Teen USA Katie Blair in public, yet was allowed to keep her crown on condition that she enter rehab. O'Donnell commented that due to Trump's multiple marital affairs and questionable business bankruptcies, he was not a moral authority for young people in America. She stated, "Left the first wife, had an affair. Left the second wife, had an affair -- but he's the moral compass for 20-year-olds in America!"[67]
In response, Trump began a media blitz[68] in which he appeared on various television shows, either in person or by phone, threatening to sue O'Donnell. He called her mean-spirited names, threatened to take away her partner Kelli[69], and claimed that Barbara Walters regretted hiring her.[70] Walters responded that both Trump and O'Donnell are highly opinionated people and that Trump has never filed for bankruptcy, but several of his casino companies did but are now out of bankruptcy. She also denied that she was unhappy with O'Donnell, saying, "I have never regretted, nor do I now, the hiring of Rosie O'Donnell."
British Royal Navy personnel seized by Iran
On March 26, 2007 O'Donnell discussed the Iranian seizure of British Royal Navy personnel comparing it to the 1964 Gulf of Tonkin incident that escalated the Vietnam War, implying Britain was provoking war with Iran stating:[71]
She stood by the statement on March 28, 2007, stating on her weblog that the British had intentionally sent forces into Iranian waters, triggering the hostage crisis as part of a false flag operation intended to precipitate the invasion of Iran, writing:[72]
Anti-Iraq War comments
O'Donnell has been very outspoken about her disdain for the Bush administration's policies and the war in Iraq. She consistently brought up recent military deaths and news about the war as well as lamented the lack of attention US media was giving to either the Iraq war or the Bush administration's actions and policies.
On May 1, 2007 during a segment of ''The View'', O'Donnell, prompted by guest co-host Ricki Lake, explained that some members of the armed forces joined because they were fleeing poverty and wanted to further pursue their education through the G.I. Bill, adding that there are an increasing number of convicted felons who currently serve in the US military. Rosie O'Donnell video clip from hosting "The View" When challenged by co-host Elisabeth Hasselbeck, O'Donnell stated she "loved the military" and wanted to see them back home.
On May 17, 2007, O'Donnell rhetorically asked, "655,000 Iraqi civilians dead. Who are the terrorists?" She further explained, "If you were in Iraq and another country, the United States, the richest in the world, invaded your country and killed 655,000 of your citizens, what would you call us?" 'Scarborough Country' for May 17 (Transcript) Conservative commentators responded by claiming that Rosie paralleled American troops to terrorists. Elisabeth Hasselbeck and O'Donnell were later involved in a heated argument on May 23, 2007 regarding the U.S. invading Iraq and the resulting occupation. Rosie O'Donnell VS Elisabeth Hasselbeck on The View 5/23/07 .
7 World Trade Center collapse
On March 26, 2007, in a conversation about the misleading information preceeding US invasion of Iraq, O'Donnell stated that 7 World Trade Center had been imploded, in line with 9/11 conspiracy theories.[73] When asked by Hasslebeck who she thought was responsible, she commented that she had no idea, but according to the Miami Herald she suggested in her blog that it was done to destroy evidence of the corporate financial scandals at Enron and WorldCom.[74] Seven World Trade Center housed the offices of government agencies like the Central Intelligence Agency,[75] the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.
O'Donnell said "I do believe that it's the first time in history that fire has ever melted steel. I do believe that it defies physics that World Trade Center tower 7 — building 7, which collapsed in on itself — it is impossible for a building to fall the way it fell without explosives being involved.[76][77] Although the comments were cheered by the studio audience, conservative talk show hosts Bill O'Reilly and Joe Scarborough called for action including firing her.[78][79]
Within days ''Popular Mechanics'' posted a response to O'Donnell's statements on its website "for those interested in what physics and demolition experts have said regarding WTC 7’s collapse, as detailed in our book ''"Debunking 9/11 Myths."'' The potential explanation included that 7 World Trade Center
housed New York City's emergency command bunker, so there were large fuel tanks throughout the building that fed generators by pressurized lines.[80] The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is still investigating the collapse. O'Donnell had planned to have Dr. David Ray Griffin, author of ''Debunking 9/11 Debunking: An Answer to Popular Mechanics and Other Defenders of the Official Conspiracy Theory,''[81] and Dr. Steven Jones, author of ''Why Indeed Did the World Trade Center Buildings Completely Collapse?''[82] to refute Popular Mechanics' explanation.
Argument with Elisabeth Hasselbeck
On the May 23, 2007, episode of ''The View'', O'Donnell became engaged in a heated debate with co-host Elisabeth Hasselbeck.[83] O'Donnell asserted that Hasselbeck was "cowardly" for not answering whether she believed O'Donnell thinks of American troops as terrorists (in reference to O'Donnell's comment earlier in the week in which she said 655,000 Iraqis have died since the United States invasion and asked "who are the terrorists"). O'Donnell also complained of how the media would portray her as a bully attacking "innocent pure Christian Elisabeth" whenever they disagreed on air. O'Donnell stated that she believed Republican pundits were misinterpreting her statements by accusing her of comparing American troops to terrorists, and had asked Hasselbeck if she agreed with the Republican pundits. Hasselbeck denied O'Donnell's accusation, claiming that she knew Rosie didn't think that US soldiers were "terrorists" but told O'Donnell that she needed to "defend herself" as it was not her place to defend controversial statements made by O'Donnell.
The debate became even more heated as co-hosts Joy Behar and Sherri Shepherd made several attempts to stop the argument, including trying to change the discussion to topics like the results of ''Dancing With the Stars''. When the feud continued past the five minute mark, Shepherd ventured to cut to commercial break promising Alicia Silverstone when the show returned. O'Donnell silenced the effort by saying "No, no, no we're not. No because we have a lot more time." Minutes later Behar endeavored again to end the argument by interjecting "Is there no commercial on this show? What are we on, PBS? Who is directing this show? Let's go to commercial!" Shepherd responded by asking Hasselbeck if her unborn child was "okay" after the heated argument, fearing for both the mother and child's health. The show did in fact cut to commercials shortly afterwards, and the subject was not resumed.
O'Donnell and ABC agreed to cut short her contract agreement on May 25, 2007 as a result of this issue.[84]
In a press statement released May 25, 2007, Rosie O'Donnell bore no ill will towards Hasselbeck and says that she "loves all three women". However, in her blog, O'Donnell stated she has not talked to Hasselbeck. She later posted a video on her blog discussing her future relationship with Hasselback. In a subsequent blog posting, O'Donnell stated that "I haven't spoken to Elisabeth, and I probably ever won't".[85] She also attempted to restate the controversial comment that had caused the feud with Hasselback saying, "the cowards who sent our troops to this war . . . those men are the terrorists."[86] According to ABC News, O'Donnell said that she knew her time on the show was over when she saw the exchange reported in the newsmedia with the split screen effect showing her and Hasselbeck on either side. ABC News also reported that her arguments with Hasselbeck brought the show its best ratings ever.[87]
JaHeRo (video blog)
On March 27, 2007, O'Donnell started a video blog on her website Rosie.com answering fans questions, giving behind the scenes information and serving as a video diary. Originally featuring only O'Donnell and her hair and make-up artist Helene Macaulay they were soon joined on April 18 by her writer from The Rosie O'Donnell Show, Janette Barber. They call themselves Jahero, which has each of their first name's letters in it. Occasionally Joy Behar, Elisabeth Hasselbeck, and Barbara Walters make short cameo appearances. Jenny McCarthy appeared once briefly, as has Hasselbeck's mother-in-law and O'Donnell's mother-in-law, her life-partner Kelli's mother. Kathy Griffin also appeared, where she read some of the questions. Also, Ross Matthews is expected to make an appearance on June 5th of 2007. It has become so popular that Rosie and her creative team are currently considering an "on the road" version of the video blog, in which Jahero would star. Although they are unsure of the locations, fan-submitted suggestions will likely influence the tour. Their announced goal is to begin in summer 2007. O'Donnell is the front runner for the "best celebrity blogger" category in the 2007 Blogger's Choice Awards.[88]
''The Price is Right''
O'Donnell had expressed an interest in replacing Bob Barker as the host of CBS's long-running game show ''The Price is Right.'' Barker was a frequent guest on her talk show and told reporters that she "would make a fine host." Although it was reported he had "endorsed his friend Rosie O'Donnell as a possible successor,"[89] a follow-up news report stated "he never meant to imply she was his top pick to replace him. It would be terribly presumptuous to assume he would have any impact on the host selection." Barker added "I haven't even seen all the tapes of the candidates," and said that he has no role in choosing his replacement.[90] O'Donnell met with representatives of the show and on June 24, 2007 announced on her blog it wasn't going to happen, implying the decision was hers and was based on her reluctance to uproot her family and move to the West Coast. Drew Carey was eventually chosen as the replacement host.
Works
Television
★ ''Gimme a Break!'' (cast member from 1986–1987)
★ ''Stand-Up Spotlight'' (1988–1991)
★ ''Stand by Your Man'' (1992) (canceled after 2 months)
★ ''The Rosie O'Donnell Show'' (1996–2002) (also producer and executive producer)
★ ''The Twilight of the Golds'' (1997)
★ ''Jackie's Back!'' (1999) (cameo)
★ ''Will & Grace'' (2002)
★ ''Riding the Bus with My Sister'' (TV movie, 2005) (also executive producer)
★ ''Curb Your Enthusiasm'' (2005)
★ ''Queer as Folk'' (TV series, 2005)
★ ''The View'' (September 5 2006–May 27 2007)
★ ''Nip/Tuck'' (2006) (2 Episodes in Season 4, 4 episodes in Season 5)
Theater
★ ''Grease'' (1994) (as Betty Rizzo)
★ ''Seussical'' (2001) (replacement for David Shiner)
★ ''Fiddler on the Roof'' (2004) (replacement for Andrea Martin in 2005)
Filmography
★ ''A League of Their Own'' (1992)
★ ''Sleepless in Seattle'' (1993)
★ ''Another Stakeout'' (1993)
★ ''Fatal Instinct'' (1993)
★ ''Car 54, Where Are You?'' (1994)
★ ''I'll Do Anything'' (1994)
★ ''The Flintstones'' (1994)
★ ''Exit to Eden'' (1994)
★ ''Now and Then'' (1995)
★ ''Beautiful Girls'' (1995)
★ ''Harriet the Spy'' (1996)
★ ''A Very Brady Sequel'' (1996) (Cameo)
★ ''Wide Awake'' (1998)
★ ''Get Bruce'' (1999) (documentary)
★ ''Tarzan'' (1999) (voice)
★ ''The Flintstones in Viva Rock Vegas'' (2000)
★ '' (2001) (short subject) (narrator)
★ ''Hedwig and the Angry Inch'' (2001) (Archive footage)
★ ''Last Party 2000'' (2001) (documentary)
★ ''The Lady in Question Is Charles Busch'' (2005) (documentary)
★ ''Show Business'' (2005) (documentary)
★ ''Pursuit of Equality'' (2005) (documentary)
★ ''All Aboard! Rosie's Family Cruise'' (2006) (documentary) (also executive producer)
Award ceremonies
★ ''Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards (Host) (1997-2003)
★ ''54th Annual Tony Awards (Host) (2000)
★ ''42nd Annual Grammy Awards (Host) (2000)
Books
★ ''Find Me'' (2002)
★ ''Celebrity Detox'' (2007)
Awards
'Daytime Emmy Awards'
★ 1997 Outstanding Talk/Service Show Host, Rosie O'Donnell
★ 1998 Outstanding Talk Show, ''The Rosie O'Donnell Show''
★ 1998 Outstanding Talk/Service Show Host, Rosie O'Donnell (tied with Oprah Winfrey)
★ 1999 Outstanding Talk Show, ''The Rosie O'Donnell Show''
★ 1999 Outstanding Talk Show Host, Rosie O'Donnell
★ 2000 Outstanding Talk Show, ''The Rosie O'Donnell Show''
★ 2000 Outstanding Talk Show Host, Rosie O'Donnell
★ 2001 Outstanding Talk Show, ''The Rosie O'Donnell Show''
★ 2001 Outstanding Talk Show Host, Rosie O'Donnell (tied with Regis Philbin)
★ 2002 Outstanding Talk Show, ''The Rosie O'Donnell Show''
★ 2002 Outstanding Talk Show Host, Rosie O'Donnell
'Emmy Awards'
★ 1999 Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Special, ''52nd Annual Tony Awards''
External links
★ Official site
★
★
★
★
References
1. Rosie O'Donnell Biography, ''Biography.com''
2. Rosie O'Donnell profile, ''E! Online''
3. "Highlights of Interviews With Rosie O'Donnell", ''CNN Larry King Weekend'', March 16, 2002
4. "Balls & Spheres", ''TV Acres''
5. 'Million Mom March' organizers hope to spur congressional action on gun legislation
6. Clinton friend leads Million Mom March
7. Her Own Bodyguard
8. A Bodyguard for Rosie's Kid
9. Rosie Doesn't Play "Nice" With Selleck
10. TRANSCRIPT: Tom Selleck Visits "The Rosie O'Donnell Show"
11. Transcript of Tom Selleck & Rosie O'Donnell's NRA Discussion
12. New York Daily News, November 19, 1999 "Rosie Sticks to Her Guns By Unloading Kmart Gig" by Mitchell Fink
13. Rosie’s Bodyguard Applies for Gun Permit
14. Rosie's armed bodyguard: Staunch anti-gun comedienne admits need for protection
15. Rosie O'Donnell: Biography
16. P&G wins top `PR blunder' honor
17. Rosie O'Donnell: Five Fun Facts
18. O'Donnell is Godmother of the 'Pearl;' Benefit Held 12/15 BroadwayWorld.com
19. Rosie's For All Kids Foundation
20. 'Nightline Online: Rosie O'Donnell' returns to Louisiana to help Katrina victims. ABC News Video]
21. Rosie's Broadway Kids
22. Cyndi and Rosie (but no Britney) at Human Rights Campaign's 'True Colors' concert
23. Gay icons rock Berkeley for a cause in post-Pride 'True Colors' celebration O'Donnell is cattily amusing
24. How Rosie O'Donnell Beat Depression (New York section)
25. The End of 'Rosie' Mag, Rosie O'Donnell: Biography 2007
26. Cancer survivor: Rosie O'Donnell told her liars 'get cancer'
27. Rosie, coy on TV, 'comes out' on stage
28. Rosie, coy on TV, 'comes out' on stage
29. Rosie O’Donnell May Leave ‘The View’ Early, By Allie @ Gone Hollywood
30. New York State Assembly - Assemblymember Daniel O'Donnell - 69th Assembly District
31. Less than Six Degrees of Separation
32. Rosie O'Donnell Announces R Family Vacations
33. R Family Vacations plies uncharted gay waters
34. Gregg Kaminsky: R Family Vacations
35. Q and A with Rosie and Kelli on "All Aboard! Rosie's Family Cruise"
36. Getting Away with R Family Vacations
37. Families, Ahoy!
38. R We Ready for R Family Vacations? (Fall issue)
39. Bermuda cut from O'Donnell's gay cruise
40. United By Faith: ‘A victory for God’
41. Tourism fears over gay cruise stand-off
42. Rosie's gay cruise is backed by Bermuda's leader
43.
44. Rosie’s stormy stay on ‘The View’ will end. ''MSNBC'' website. Accessed on May 29, 2007.
45. O'Donnell brings big ratings to 'The View' Daytime talk show nabs best-ever November sweeps. ''Variety'' website. Accessed on May 29, 2007.
46. Rosie O’Donnell Says She Will Say Goodbye to ‘The View’ in June. ''New York Times'' website. Accessed on April 25, 2007.
47. ''What Was Rosie's Real Reason for Leaving "The View?"'' Inside Edition
48. ''COMIN' UP ROSIE; HOT-TEMPERED O'DONNELL IS HOT COMMODITY, By DON KAPLAN New York Post
49. ''ROSIE FADES FROM 'VIEW'; QUITS AFTER 'FAILING TO OUST BABS' By DON KAPLAN New York Post
50. Inner Tube
51. Rosie O'Donnell Chides Kelly Ripa For 'Homophobic' Remark
52. American Idol's big gay closet {Cover story)
53. Clay Aiken Says Sexuality, Private Life Are Nobody's Business: Pop Star Hopes Fans Will Judge Him on Music, Not Rumors
54. ABC News
55. barbara walters — House Mom to Bigots (from internet archive)
56. Rosie O'Donnell's Racist 'Ching Chong' Chinese
57. Rosie Really Sorry for "Ching-Chong" Crack Gina Serpe
58. AAJA Responds to Rosie O'Donnell's Offensive Mimic
59. Rosie to Asians: Loosen Up
60. Group not satisfied with Rosie's apology
61. ABCnews.com. (2006-12-14). [http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/wireStory?id=2727198&CMP=OTC-RSSFeeds0312 "Group not satisfied with Rosie's apology by By Erin Carlson, Asssociated Press; ABC News / Entertainment. Retrieved on 2007-06-05.
62. Video: Rosie apologizes for “ching chong”; Update: Apology not accepted
63. an open letter to all the rosie o’donnells
64. an open letter to all the rosie o'donnells
65. Trump Wants His MTV
66. Confessions of a beauty queen
67. Trump, O'Donnell trade blows
68. Rosie O'Donnell bids adieu to 'The View'
69. Rosie Speaks Out on The View
70. Barbara Walters: I Don't Regret Hiring Rosie
71. Should Rosie Be Fired From 'The View'?
72. british hostages
73. Rosie O'Donnell Opens 9/11 Conspiracy 'View' Debate
74. ''Really, really Rosie'', Glenn Garvin, The Miami Herald, Mar. 31, 2007
75. CIA office near World Trade Center destroyed in attacks
76. ''Rosie O'Donnell 9/11 Conspiracy Comments: Popular Mechanics Responds'', Popular Mechanics, March 30, 2007
77. ''Tokyo Rosie'', Editorial, Investor's Business Daily, Mar 30, 2007
78. ''Should Rosie Be Fired From 'The View'?'' ''Foxnews'', March 30, 2007
79. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17948858/ April 3, 2007 Scarborough Country Transcript
80. Rosie O'Donnell 9/11 Conspiracy Comments: Popular Mechanics Responds
81. Debunking 9/11 Debunking: An Answer to Popular Mechanics and Other Defenders of the Official Conspiracy Theory, David Ray Griffin, , , Olive Branch Press, ,
82. Journal of 911 Studies, , Steven, Jones, , 2006
83.
84. Rosie O'Donnell Leaves 'The View' One Month Early
85. no ja - hero
86. ask ro
87. ABC ''Eyewitness News''; May 28, 2007.
88. Pop Candy: As if you don't read enough blogs ...
89. Barker Says O'Donnell Could Replace Him (Page 13)
90. Barker: Remarks not a Rosie endorsement
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psst.. try this: add to faves
