Rosie O'Donnell: Barbara Walters Exaggerates, There Was No Camaraderie Off-Camera On "The View"

UPDATE: Walters responded saying "Get a life"

Rosie O'Donnell, whose NBC variety show airs next week, cannot shake questions about her tumultuous time on "The View." And Wednesday morning, she fanned the flames by telling reporters that Barbara Walters misrepresents the camaraderie among co-hosts of "The View."

The Los Angeles Times' Denise Martin reports:

Barbara Walters, [Rosie] 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.'

Rosie's former sparring partner, Elisabeth Hasselbeck, has been at the center of countless fights on "The View" this election season, but Rosie has reportedly mended fences with the conservative co-host (despite calling her Sarah Palin's "identical cousin" and saying both are "women who hunt in high heels").

There have long been rumors of a feud between Rosie and Barbara Walters, though Walters denies them and has said she has "enormous affection" for Rosie. Rosie has said that Walters fired her from "The View," despite the official stance that it was a mutual agreement that she would leave the program.

"Rosie Live" airs Nov. 26 at 8PM, and is expected to feature Liza Minnelli, Alec Baldwin, Ne-Yo, Alanis Morissette, Gloria Estefan, Kathy Griffin and Jane Krakowski.

The headline and body of this article originally suggested Rosie O'Donnell said Barbara Walters lies about the co-hosts' camaraderie. Upon reevaluating the story, the word "lies" was removed in favor of "exaggerates" and "misrepresents."

Comments

[CammyV]

Just because nobody chummed around with you, Rosie, doesn't mean the other co-hosts disliked each other...perhaps it was just you.

[Eric8869]

Yes because the other girls who used to be on the show are always chumming around with the current gals. NOT

[snowhusseincat]

expressing an opinion as a former insider is HARDLY lashing out! Babs has a reputation for being catty and hypocritical!

[Eric8869]

Yes she wished Starr jones well and then fired her.

[LollieDotCom]

Rosie has fought for our soldiers right not to have to die in a bs war for bs reasons and suffered the slings and arrows of outraged (albeit brainwashed and misguided) Americans for it. She is an American HERO.

While American soldiers were dying and few had the courage to even bring it up once in while, she kept on bringing it up daily. The administration got the media to quit showing flag draped coffins, but they couldn't shut up our Rosie. What better way to honor our military than to fight to keep them from harm's way 'except' with good cause? For everyone who ever gave Rose a hard time, what did YOU do to try to save our soldiers? What kind of hailstorm of vicious attacks did you endure for our soldiers cause?

Rosie has brought me to tears of admiration many times. If there's a medal for courage under fire, that girl has earned it.

[CS1373]

I concur! Rosie at least had the guts to say what was on her mind and started people talking on the View about topics we could no longer avoid. I give HER credit for that.

[LisaO8]

Funny how loud mouths on the right get multimillion dollar deals to spew their hatred and lies. O'Donnell was right about the Bush Admin. Walters lost credibility with me when she acted like having an affair with a married man for years was some kind of award we should all be praising her for. She has the ego almost the size of Oprah and that constant book plugging gets old real fast. I am sure what goes on behind the scenes is not all peaches and cream, but WHO CARES, it's a television show!

[wembles]

someones looking for some publicity before her new tv show that is doomed to fail.
pathetic. really sad and pathetic.

[harriettubman]

Rosie's been bitter ever since her talk show and magazine folded and after she came out of the closet. I don't know what her problem is but she's one bitter broad. She can't keep BW off of her tongue either. Why say you apologized then turn around with another story? SMH.... Does it depend on what day Rosie takes her meds? I'm seeing drastic mood swings here.

[Eric8869]

She quit her talk show when it was still tops in the ratings. She chose to end it. She disagreed with her magazine business partners and chose to fold that too.

She also Quit the view. She has not failed.

FYI - this poster is also the one who said all gay people with AIDS should be quarantined and a bunch of homophobic rants on gay marriage.

Ignore her.

[chilifan]

How sad that you use harriettubman as you login name, when you are such a hateful person. That woman was a saint and a hero to anyone who knows their American history. Calling someone a "broad" is insulting and belittling, and I am sure Harriet Tubman would never have stooped to that kind of speech.

[LittleGirl]

Wow, do you people believe everything you read? Come on. This is b.s.

[katielady]

Barbara is the exec producer. The show was her idea and her gig.. as in, she is the BOSS! Hasn't anyone ever held a job where they had a boss????? get over it... do your job, for which you are HIGHLY PAID, in a terrible economy and get on your knees you can enjoy the life you have.

[Irish55]

These 2 narcissistic nitwits deserve each other.

[Courtney250]

Rosie is still complaining about Barbara Walters, saying she would like to have a beer with Sarah Palin and doesn't seem to have any idea that sometimes saying nothing is best.

I never understood the fascination with her and I don't agree that she is a good spokesperson for the left. She is extremely abrasive and tends to speak without thinking.

[freeda7]

Welcome back Rosie!!!

[Dupree]

I am sick and tired of Rosie. Go AWAY please. I use to like her until I heard her continually seeking attention through controversy even if she had to conjur it up. I am sick and tired of her always finding something to complain about. Please drift out of the lime light until you can bring something of substance to the table. You will never be Ellen Degeneres who is delightful and funny. It is always a pleasure to see and hear her. Perhaps you should take some notes ...

[Wiserone]

The thing is, with the "way" Rosie approaches discussion of topics, she very well could be the alter ego of Hasselbecfk. That's where she should be taking notes. If she is not careful, her show could turn into a version of Jerry Springer's show.

[Mekarri]

Wiserone, you are just wrong . EH doesn't seem to care about anyone but herself. I think that EH is a closet racists and I know she is stupid. I remember one time on the show when EH railed against the government wanting to insure millions of poor children. Rosie is a loud mouth and I am glad that she is. We have all set on our collected butts and allow bush to kill our children and the thousands of people in country we invaded. We as a people allow bush to destroy our country. I am proud of Rosie and I do not agree with everything that she say but I can say she is a true American not many of us can say that.

[Eric8869]

The View is a show with opinions on current events. It can't be compared to ELLEN.

[Pegi]

L O S E R!

[Eric8869]

Kettle black

[Shzron1946]

Rosie does not play well with others. She needs to just put on comedy or broadway type productions, and give out money to people n need, and never be asked to comment on anything. Too abrasive. Hurts her causes.

[duze]

Other than lashing out, what does Rosie do?