Rosie O’Donnell Expected to Join The View
Rosie O’Donnell is joining the current game of TV musical chairs. On Friday, a formal announcement is expected to name the former talk show host as the replacement for Meredith Vieira on The View.
ABC officials declined comment on the prospect of O’Donnell’s hiring, which was first reported on TV’s Extra, but several news sources have confirmed the casting.
Friday’s edition of The View, which is usually broadcast live, was taped, because its cast and crew are in Los Angeles for the Daytime Emmys ceremony – where the announcement is scheduled to be delivered by both O’Donnell and View co-creator Barbara Walters, a source tells PEOPLE.
The source added that several of those who work on The View had no idea that O’Donnell was coming aboard.
The Rosie O’Donnell Show debuted in 1996 and was an instant hit, earning its star, now 44, six Daytime Emmy Awards as best talk-show host.
In 2002, O’Donnell called it quits to help raise four children with her partner, Kelli Carpenter O’Donnell, as well as launch Rosie magazine. The now-defunct publication quickly fell victim to warring factions and then matching multi-million-dollar lawsuits between O’Donnell and the magazine’s parent company, Ultimately, neither side was the victor.
Rosie and Kelli recently appeared together front and center on the HBO special All Aboard! Rosie’s Family Cruise, a documentary about the maiden voyage of R Family Vacations, the travel company founded by the two of them and which specializes in gay family vacations.
The View, which debuted in 1997, currently stars Walters, Joy Behar, Star Jones Reynolds and the newest addition, Elisabeth Hasselbeck.
Set to leave The View at the end of next month, Vieira will take Katie Couric’s chair opposite Matt Lauer on NBC’s Today show this fall, when Couric heads over to the CBS Evening News, where she’ll be the show’s first solo female anchor.
I need help on giving my Iraq soldier credit on making it home safe.. but losing 2 men. It seems if you don’t die over there they forget them. He is by no means the same. These men who return home need more thanks!! I know this is a soft spot in your heart.I feel bad for those who gave their lives but the living needs to be remembered more too.
Jo-anne
Comment by Jo-Anne Rizzo — February 12, 2007 @ 11:59 am