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

[scorpioleidy]

Oink-oink

[scared4ALL]

Mirrored image.

[BadgerinNJ]

How could they even consider giving her such a show? Not too much intellect there. I wish they'd bring back Dan Abrams.

[hopefulnana]

Instead of Rachel? No way, imho!

[hopefulnana]

Hmmm. I should clarify my statement. I meant, with no disrepect to Dan Abrams, that I would not want see him brought back to replace Rachel. I am a hug fan of both Rosie and Rachel.

[tomfl78]

retrorio Stephanie Miller is not attractive

[dwt]

Compared to whom?

Judge for yourself:

http://www.stephaniemiller.com/dynamicpage.php?PageId=87&PageSubId=

Whether you think she's hot or not, she's smart and funny as hell.

Also, single.

[Excitedforfuture]

I love Stephanie Miller!

[Aabby]

I think she's lovely.

[shirleyfeeney]

Rosie, Rosie, Rosie...where to begin...okay, "alright" isn't a word. All right is, but not "alright". Sorry.

And I'm pretty sure that I'll stop laughing soon about your "I don't know that arguing about politics is really the best use of my talent." comment. But it's probably going to take a while.

Face it, MSNBC didn't hire you because of loyal viewers like me who wrote to them and said that if they hired you, we'd stop watching. They knew that we meant it.

You'll have to forgive me, but I'm at a loss here...what exactly IS your "talent" again?

[nellieh]

Shirley, Shirlet, Shirley...begin with your dictionary.

[shirleyfeeney]

alright
One entry found.

Main Entry:
al·right Listen to the pronunciation of alright
Pronunciation:
(ˌ)ȯl-ˈrīt, ˈȯl-ˌ
Function:
adverb or adjective
Date:
1887

: all right
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 .

touche...however, my college English professor's and I are on the "alright is wrong" side of the fence.

[scorpioleidy]

Ditto!

[pfc1369]

I have just expunged "alright" from my dictionary so that it will be in agreement with you.

[PoliJunkie]

You are wrong, your one letter and others did not stop MSNBC from hosting the Rosie show. After all she will be on NBC. More viewers that way. So, don't congratulate yourself so much! Rosie Rocks and has lots of talent. She's rich, are you?

[wembles]

rosie and rachel...no comparison. rachel is far too intelligent and has much more class than rosie could ever aspire to. rosie, go away please.

[tomfl78]

rosie just wants a date

[roshni]

She's not Rachel's type.............

[Aabby]

and how how do you know? not that i'm saying she is ...

[retrorio]

I wish MSNBC would give radio host Stephanie Miller a show. She's smart, funny, and, a minor point as far as political shows go, quite attractive.

[CostaMesaJoe]

Speaking of Rachel (and Keith), where the F' are they?
Do they have the week off?
I'm in withdrawl.....

[earthmama]

I don't know about Keith, but Rachel has been on the Air America cruise...we have missed Thom Hartmann on the radio too.

[LiberTLover]

Me too, but I am okay with them taking a break. They sure kept me from having many "mental breaks" during some of the worst days of the campaign, by daring to tell the truth when no one else would.

[pons1595]

Can't watch their replacements; Huffington's show was good, but the rest aren't my cup of tea.

[Aabby]

shuster (sp?) sucks.

[suec03]

Allison Stewart announced last night (Wednesday) that Rachel would be back tonight.

[wembles]

i am in withdrawal too. david's eyes move constantly while reading the teleprompters, makes me nervous. alison stewart isn't even in the same league as our beloved rachel. come back soon! you are missed.

[Dana D]

Blech. Rosie O is an opportunistic has-been. Rachel is fantastic so how does Rosie get her name in the news again? By touting Rachel Maddow. What a leech.

Hey Rosie, we know and love Rachel. And believe me, you are no Rachel and never will be.

[Mikeeee]

"because I don't know that arguing about politics is really the best use of my talent" rotflmao!! Where did this p i n h e a d get the idea she has talent of any kind?

Rachel: clarity and wit.

It's against the laws of nature for Keith n Rachel to be gone at the same time. It's not a matter of life and death, it's more important than that.

[HalBrown]

I too have been suffering Keith and Rachel withdrawal this week. Arianna was skewered on TVSpy by media insiders. They all seemed to agree she should stick to the written word.

I agree with those who suggest that if Rosie has something to say about politics, and I'm sure she has opinions about same sex marriage, or the show biz that is Sarah Palin, she should be a guest on one of the shows.

I don't begrudge Keith a vacation, but come on Rachel, don't let stardom and high ratings go to your head, you've only had your show for a short time. Most worker bees have to be on the job for 6-12 months before taking a vacation.

I can see Rosie doing a "talk me down" with Rachel on Caifornia's Prop. 8.

Oh hell, Rachel, you're such a gift I can't begrudge you the time off. I hope you had a good time.

[editorjuno]

Doctor Maddow had a contractual commitment to be on an Air America-sponsored fan cruise that predated her TV show, so time off to do it had to be written into her MSNBC contract. I miss her too.

[Aabby]

Adrianna is also an amazing guest. Carrying your own show is not easy and I thought she did a good job….though we are spoiled by super-host Rachel Maddow.

[pfc1369]

Rachael is on an Air America cruise, scheduled long before she got the cable gig.

[LMKay66]

My week just hasn't been the same without Rachel and Keith. They shouldn't be allowed to go on vacation the same week.

[JJ30]

I was thinking the same thing. I think Rachel comes back tonight bu not sure about Keith.

[mikeboy31903]

Does anyone know where the two are? Are they together? I find it odd for the two to be gone so long. I think I'm getting dumber each day.

[Aabby]

exactly what i was thinking.

[OKC Mateo]

Rosie should go on Rachel's show....that would be great ratings!

[meede]

Ro is best in the variety show arena. There is no one better out there that promotes Broadway shows and the talents of so many young people in the shows. She's like a one person tourism advocate!! After watching, many have gone to see the shows. Ro is the best for host of the Tonys.

[inluvwkeitholbermann]

welcome back, rosie!! could you imagine rosie on 'the view' during this election?? she is the ONLY one who could have put litlle lizzie in her place!!

no disrepect to joy, who can't get her facts right/ sherri, who's too dumb to breathe/ and whoopi, who patiently waits for lizzie to finish her rehearsed rethug talking point and then abruptly goes to break before anyone can jump in and challenge her

[shirleyfeeney]

She might have been the only one to really put Elizabeth in her place, but let's face facts here...Rosie is outright mean to many. I'm not saying that Elizabeth didn't have it coming, but some of their rows were pretty fierce. It's okay to agree to disagree, but their stuff was very personal. I'd never stick up for Elizabeth in a million years, but I'd never want anyone to talk to me the way Rosie did to Elizabeth half of the time. Rosie needs to learn how to be snarky with a bit of class. She comes across as a bully.

[scared4ALL]

Yes, I noticed that too. Why does EH get off so easy? I wish they'd stop letting her get away with it, especially, Whoopie.