Now It's Time To Say Goodbye To All That's Rosie
Rosie O'Donnell has fought her last fight at "The View." ABC said Friday she asked for, and received, an early exit from her contract at the daytime chatfest following her confrontation with co-host Elisabeth Hasselbeck.
Wednesday ended a colorful eight-month tenure for O'Donnell that somehow redeemed Court TV bound, former host Star Jones, and no doubt caused heartburn for show creator Barbara Walters.
"Rosie contributed to one of our most exciting and successful years at `The View,'" Walters said. "I am most appreciative. Our close and affectionate relationship will not change."
In a statement, O'Donnell said that it's been an amazing year and I love all three women, except Walters and Elizabeth.
YOU'RE SO FIRED!
Okay, she didn't exactly say that. But you gotta love how O'Donnell has feuded with everyone from Kelly Ripa to Donald Trump.
In fact, many where downright melancholy when O'Donnell announced last month she would be leaving in June because she could not agree to a new contract with ABC executives.
The frequent snippy exchanges with the more conservative Hasselbeck left the network feeling ratings love on Wednesday, when those of us in tv land were treated to a riveting exchange between Hasselbeck and O'Donnell over Rosie's statement last week about the war:
"655,000 Iraqi civilians have died. Who are the terrorists?"
Some cable talk show critics accused O'Donnell of calling U.S. troops terrorists. She called Hasselbeck "cowardly" for not saying anything in response to the critics.
"Do not call me a coward, because No. 1, I sit here every single day, open my heart and tell people what I believe," Hasselbeck retorted.This tit-for-tat continued despite lame attempts by Joy Behar and sistergirl " Sherri "When is ABC Giving Me This Gig" Shepherd to cut to a commercial.
WATCH THE VIDEO HERE
According to a New York Post report, O'Donnell's chief writer, Janette Barber, was allegedly led out of the building on Wednesday after she was caught drawing mustaches on photographs of Hasselbeck in "The View" studios.
On Thursday O'Donnell had asked for a day off to celebrate her partner's birthday. "The View" was drama-free and tired... circa pre-Rosie. A taped show aired Friday.
On her Web site, O'Donnell posted a scrapbooklike video on Friday with pictures and news clippings of her tenure at "The View." Cyndi Lauper's "Sisters of Avalon" played in the background.
A day earlier, she posted messages on her Web site indicating she might not be back.
CALM DOWN STAR, YOU ARE WAY TO EXCITED ABOUT ALL OF THIS
"When painting there is a point u must step away from the canvas as the work is done," Rosie wrote. "Any more would take away."
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