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

[PiscesPrincess]

Rosie O'Donnell and Rachel Maddow. Well now;
I remember when Rosie first started on MTV many many MANY years ago. She was great then
Actually, haven't watched her much lately but that flap over the Donald and Barbara Walters did her no good what so ever... too bad because she is a very talented lady. and I say that politely.
as for Rachel Maddow; Well now:
I just discovered Rachel in early Sept just after she got her own gig. She is absolutely the smartest person doing commentary on politics on TV I've seen in a long long time. and with humor and a great format... She is half my age and I love her dearly... Don't ever go away Rachel. We missed you Mon - Wed. Your show is no good without you, Honey...
and I don't care whether these two ladies are gay ... makes no difference to me and I am an OLD lady....

[denicci1977]

I liked the way Rosie handled Donald. Someone needed to put him in his place. She was exactly right about him on everything she said including the comb over impersonation. The man needs help and chapstick !

[OKSunny]

I have no feelings about Rosie--but I do love Keith and Rachel

[HARVIN]

I don't watch TV but I listen to radio.Rachel has an afternoon show here in LA.I've not been able to figure out the euphoric reaction to her program.She sounds like any other reasonably bright host but she's more deferential and cautious than a lot of liberals.And that's saying something.To resurrect a past favorite, where's the beef?Why all the acclaim?I'm filled with curiosity.We need more Mike Malloys.

[ashb]

I listen to Rachel here in LA, and she has always been my favorite because her show sounds like she really prepares for it. She doesn't just ramble on and on like some others I've heard.

You could take 15 minutes from Rachel's show, and compare it to 15 minutes from some other liberal talk radio shows, and there would be way more substance in the 15 minutes from Rachel's show.

[bandillero]

Actually Rachel's radio show is bad like most liberal radio except Stephanie Miller, and Ed Schulz. But on TV, Rachel's intelligence radiates.

Seriously, Stephanie Miller and her mooks can make you drive off-road while laughing so be careful. I almost had an accident listening to Kim Jon Il (Jim Ward) on her show. Or Arnold Schwanegger punctuate every line with "and those kinds of things"

[Wigelah]

You don't have to hate Rosie to like Rachel's show. You also don't have to be gay to like either one of them. It's really one of the good things about this country. If you don 't want to watch either of them on TV all you have to do is not watch it. But wasting your energy hating Rosie, while it is your right as an American, it's really kinda not so bright. And, I didn't bother to check if "kinda" was in the dictionary or not...I'm just going to presume that you'll get the drift of my meaning and be mature enough to not lecture when the situation calls for it.

[kothian1]

Love Rachel Maddow...but her sexual orientation isn't what makes her so good at what she does, nor would it turn Rosie into a noteworthy political commentator. Sure, she has guts, but she has no control over her temper. That she's still sniping at Walters strikes me as petulance. (Has she and the Donald declared a truce yet?) ...anyway, I'm every bit as unlikely to watch her variety show as any news show that NBC might have had the bad sense to give her. Programming geniuses those guys at 30 Rock. A variety show? What? Like Sonny and Cher? Donny and Marie? Ed Sullivan? It won't last an entire season. Rosie had her best niche in the daytime talk format.

[ZimboChick]

Rosie rules...and thank goodness she does not need the hater's approval

[Mort]

Yes, Rosie, Rachel IS wonderful. But your endorsement is an albatross she doesn't need hanging around her neck. Soaring eagles look much better without pond scum clinging to their feet.

[SouthernBlueBelle]

Meow, want a saucer of milk?

[newpotusplease]

ROSIE HAS A SHOW ON NEXT WED NIGHT AT 8 PM - VARIETY SHOW

SO SHE HAS MOVED ON TO PRIME TIME ON A MAJOR NETWORK

[CSull2005]

shirleyfeeney - "alright" : usage The one-word spelling alright appeared some 75 years after all right itself had reappeared from a 400-year-long absence. Since the early 20th century some critics have insisted alright is wrong, but it has its defenders and its users. It is less frequent than all right but remains in common use especially in journalistic and business publications. It is quite common in fictional dialogue, and is used occasionally in other writing .

You may not like Rosie, but she revived a failing property ("The View") and makes many valid points, whether you disagree with her or not is beside the point. Obvioulsy she does have many skills, she was a successful stand-up comic and a very successful daytime show host ("Rosie").

Sarcasm is a poor substitute for intelligence.

[bsc]

Go away Rosie you give lesbians a bad name.

[PoliJunkie]

Why? Because she is a STRONG woman with opinions that sometimes strike a chord? I think sometimes we need a little Rosie to help out in keeping us sane.

[BOin08]

Rosie gives anyone who admires her a bad name...she's ignorant on all things political and international affairs in particular, but that doesn't give her stop her form thinking she knows what's best for you.

[indywoman]

WOW, to all the Rosie haters:

it must be easy to sit at home and mock someone's talent. Rosie has made like a hundred million dollars or so. She started out poor with nothing. She made her own success. What have you done in comparison?

Art is in the eye of the beholder, and I would love to watch Rosie do any kind of show. I really miss her on TV. I think she is wickedly funny, and I love someone who has the guts to state their opinions. How many people actually do that? Very very few. She is not the best debater, which got her in trouble, but she sure is fun to watch.

And she has done more for humanity than anyone even knows. She has given so much to charities. She has donated her time and her money, and look at the Rosie's Broadway Kids!!! that is awesome!!

So, in conclusion, just sit there, insult people, and feel good about yourself. You obviously need it.

[hopefulnana]

I agree with everything you say, indywoman. I think much of the work she does for children, like after Katrina, has gone pretty much unnoticed. I learn something new every time I visit her website — not just about politics but books, music, Broadway shows and gadgets.

Plus, Rosie has been in a stable relationship for over ten years and she and her wife are raising four beautiful and happy kids of their own. I thought the video she took of her kids skateboarding through the house set to Miri Ben-Ari and J.Ivy was breathtaking. I have missed her and look forward to her new show.

[scared4ALL]

Maybe some of you don't realize it was Rosie O'Donnel on The View that began opening people's eyes to the true state of our nation. She told truth. Gave us items to google so we could learn. She is a patriot who spoke up even though it would make her a target of ridicule.

I'm proud of her and you guys should be thanking her for the education she gave many at her own expense.

[shirleyfeeney]

I think you're giving Rosie too much credit. I don't know too many who even watch "The View", let alone to get their current affairs news from it. I certainly don't find it educational.

[scared4ALL]

The View's rating told a different story than you are. Rosie did that and now they're in a diferent light than before, thanks to her.

You're right. It wasn't educational. Then Rosie came and it was amazingly so. They have evolved on that show to the point that truth had a way of coming forth. The people ate it up because they were starved for truth to our reality.

Rosie didn't get the credit deserved for starting all that because of differing reasons. Thank goodness many can see the big picture and are grateful and proud of her, too.

I'm ashamed of all you who look for the negative when there's so much good about Rosie.

[CS1373]

Love or Hate her, she got people talking about topics we could no longer ignore. I give Her credit for that.

[meede]

Funny how you can read comments and know who would be the ones who would have voted Yes to Prop 8

[scared4ALL]

Yep. Sad!

[inluvwkeitholbermann]

ummm...not sure that's relevant here.....most of these posters don't seem to care that rachel is gay.....i think it's more of a personality issue!

i personally love rosie and rachel EQUALLY but in different ways---while i find rosie hilariously talentened and smart, i can imagine she'd be kind of a nightmare to work with behind the scenes--sort of a loose cannon ("ALL WAYS ARE MY WAY!" queen-of-h­earts-type­/ say-whatev­er-i-want-­on-the- air).....rachel is more 'likeable' to most.......and in this business of show, as the saying goes, "it doesn't matter how good you are, but how good you are to work with."

[roshni]

Thanks goodness Rachel got it instead. Rosie is intensely insecure and annoying.

[tomfl78]

Compared to whom Megyn Kelly Elisabeth Hasselbeck Mary Katherine Ham just to name a few