Rosie O'Donnell Talks Failed MSNBC Deal, Praises Rachel Maddow

In addition to discussing "The View" Wednesday with reporters in advance of her NBC variety show next week, Rosie O'Donnell also discussed her MSNBC show that almost was.

The New York Post's Adam Buckman reports:

"We had a deal and it was about to be announced and NBC changed their mind," O'Donnell said. "It turned out to be a blessing, I think, because I don't know that arguing about politics is really the best use of my talent. And I also think that Rachel Maddow is unbelievably wonderful."

Last year, after the deal had fallen through, Rosie posted a video to her website saying that the deal falling through was OK and that Keith Olbermann's "Countdown" was "the best news show on TV:

OK, I'm gonna answer some blog questions. You heard the big whole MSNBC thing. Listen, it's alright. You gotta believe. What happens is supposed to happen. We were in the bottom of the ninth inning. We were almost there, the game was almost over, and no. It's OK, 'cause I'm not quite sure that a pundit would've been the best thing for me, but who knows? I was willing to maybe try, but just as well.

And hey, Keith Olbermann, the best news show on TV. If you're only gonna watch one, watch that guy. Important stuff he's saying every night. Bravo, Keith Olbermann."

Rosie was in talks to host a prime-time politics show on MSNBC, likely in the 9PM hour (which eventually became "Verdict" with Dan Abrams and then, of course, "The Rachel Maddow Show").

Comments

[duze]

MSNBC made the right decision. Rosie is much too angry. She always spoiling for a fight and seems to not like herself very much. It would have been a very bad experience on both sides. Rachel on the other hand is welcoming, intelligent, forceful without being argumentative. She's factual and explicit to detail, in case she needs to rewind to take her point further. Rachel knows when to bring the point home and her questions as well as analogies are spot on. People watch Rachel to be around her. She comes of as a good griend, someone you miss not talkin to. Rachel and Keith bring it realistic with just enough humor to make it entertaining. I think she'll be a sucess for a very long time to come.

[MagicalPossibilities]

Rosie does not seem like a happy person. That fake smile is just too creepy!

[oldleftcoastdude]

Rachel Maddow was by far the better choice. Rosie is smart, but much too abrasive. MSNBC already has a Keith Olberman, they didn't need another one.

[harriettubman]

I'm glad NBC changed their minds about Rosie. I couldn't stand to watch Michael Savage either. The Rosie in the 90s with a talk show is not the Rosie we see today. Its the faces of Sybil.

[booker52]

An angery Rosie isn't the same deal as a happy Rachel.

[heal57]

ditto; Rachel is wonderful and has such a nice laugh about her.

[LollieDotCom]

Rosie is a like a precious Yorkie only with the heart of a lion. I'm not old enough to be her mother but I always feel like she's one of my own kids, so ya'll get off of her. She's a great American hero. And if you can't see that, you haven't been paying attention.

Rachel has the most brilliantly faceted mind that sparkles with healthy humor I've ever had the pleasure of watching.

Oh if only Rach had been able to interview William F. Buckley!!

Two great ultra-minds dancing, ducking, weaving... sweeeeeeet!

[cinemaven]

Funny, I feel kind of the same about Rosie. I got to meet her at a book signing this summer and I was blown away by how much time she spent with every person. She was performing with Cindy Lauper that night and the signing was supposed to start at 11 a.m. and be over at 1 p.m. but she got there early (there were 1000's in line to see her) and she stayed until well after 3 p.m. signing and talking to fans. It took over an hour after they cut off the line for her to finish every person who wanted to see her. I've been to a lot of book signings but I've never seen that kind of personal touch. She also gave away craft materials to everyone in line and gave everyone a chance for a hug and a picture.

I liked her before meeting her but after I met her, I just adore her.... and the people in her line were the best bunch of people I've met in a long time. We were all like family by the end of our wait.

[Mekarri]

I think that Rosie is a real person, let me change that, she is a real American. She is smart and a fighter. And she loves our country and that is why she was so angry about the bush mob. I think she was always to nice when it came to BW and Eh. I wish her nothing but the best. She is a ray of sunshine to the people that know her.

[likeicare]

Rosie verses Rush -- now that's a good idea.

Rosie, go away, please, if you're thinking of anything else. Play to your strengths.

[just4shiggles]

I think that a great forum for Rosie would be some sort of half hour program on late at night. She could take on people like Bil O'rielly and Sean Hannity. It would be so funny to watch her ream those right wing jerks on the air without letting them interrupt or cut her mic off! She wouldn't have to worry about coming across as an a-hole, because that's the only sort of person that can really converse with those guys.

[denicci1977]

MSNBC did a wonderful thing by putting Rachel on. Love her show...She and Keith are the only ones really worth watching...I like Chris Matthews too...Totally done with CNN and I never was a Faux News Fan.

[debb17055]

I feel like I've gone to heaven.
I never watched MSNBC until about two or three months ago. Most of my "friends" watch Fox (faux) news?
Chris, Keith, and Rachel, vacations are no longer allowed. If you're still sucking air, then you need to be on the air!!! Come on, it's not a sitcom, it's politics. We love you to much to do without you.

[Cyano]

Yeah, they've spoiled me for regular news... so boring. Where's the satire?

[sklfcats]

Ya, cause they are both gay..

[republifornian]

lol who are these guys I never heard of them.

[freedomisnotfree]

Great post. Probably the greatest post of all time. How do you do it?

[Nikola Tesla]

Ignorance is bliss.

[Provit2me]

I would love to see Rosie do a show - she's actually my neighbor, a very good neighbor - so maybe I could get a ride into the city with her. If not Randi Rhodes would be awesome too.

[blueskybigstar]

Sounds like Rosie's got a crush.

[bandillero]

Alison Stewart, my God
I saw Alison last 2 nights and didn’t know how much I loved and missed her. She is great and actually has the same mannerisms of RM.

Love you Rach, too. Don't ever stop smiling

[KevinFletcherTweedy]

I never miss a Rachel show, but after watching Allison's first 5 minutes on Monday, I decided to skip it entirely until Rachel is back. It's the writing that RM brings to it, as well as her infectious spunky manner. Sorry, Allison.

[inluvwkeitholbermann]

alison was on tuesday and wednesday
arianna was on monday

[AnotherMike]

Agreed. I love Allison on Countdown, certainly better than Schuster, but her style and delivery just aren't right for the RM show.

[Nikola Tesla]

Mmmmm Alison Stewart . . .

[newpotusplease]

her hubby is her boss, so she is assured air time:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Wolff

[maca]

Rachel's a better host, but I could watch Allison Stewart read the phone book for an hour. She gets my vote for the most beautiful woman on TV.

[newpotusplease]

it was painful to listen to Allison Stewart-- I guess one could hit mute and it would be okay eye candy

the only reason Allison is on is because her hubby is the MSNBC VP of programming

[thatonetoo]

If we're talking about tv and lineups...well,I'd MUCH rather see a controversial show with Rosie than Caught On Camera or Lockup. Seriously? Give her a shot.

[DebbieinPhx]

I agree. I am sick to death of prison shows! What's the deal with those anyway? There are versions of the same or similar type thing on at least four cable networks. YUCK! I personally think that Rosie should be given a shot as well. And no, not some phoo-foo thing either, give her a shot at a news/interview show. MSNBC seems like as perfect a spot as any.

[reno1190]

AGREE 100%