Rosie O’Donnell in Talks to Join MSNBC

[babylonsister]

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/05/business/media/05cnd-msnbc.html

Rosie O’Donnell in Talks to Join MSNBC


By JACQUES STEINBERG and BILL CARTER
Published: November 5, 2007

Rosie O’Donnell, who abruptly left “The View” on ABC last spring after drawing attention and ratings for her opinions on everything from the Iraq war to her co-hosts, is in serious discussions to return to television atop a new soapbox: a prime-time show on the cable news channel MSNBC, according to executives on both sides of the negotiations who have been briefed directly.

Under one scenario, Ms. O’Donnell would be given the 9 p.m. slot each weeknight on MSNBC, where she would go head-to-head with two heavyweights of cable talk: “Larry King Live” on CNN and “Hannity & Colmes” on Fox News. Her show would replace “Live with Dan Abrams,” a relatively low-rated program that only recently replaced “Scarborough Country,” which was also little-watched.

But NBC executives, speaking on condition of anonymity because the conversations are continuing, cautioned that there were many elements of a potential deal yet to be resolved. These include when such a show would appear, what Ms. O’Donnell would be paid, and whether she would also be seen on the NBC broadcast network.

Ms. O’Donnell alluded somewhat cryptically to a possible new job in a speech she gave at a book-signing on Sunday night in Miami, according to a report that appeared on a website, lyingonthebeach.com. A podcast on that site described Ms. O’Donnell as saying that she would soon begin competing against “the guy with the suspenders and the long, long face,” an obvious reference to Mr. King.

NBC has been courting Ms. O’Donnell in recent months for any number of jobs, including host of a possible new game show.

[Hatalles]

1. Why doesn't Rosie do another daytime talk show?

She had a great run... Why did she stop?

[in_cog_ni_to]

6. I think she wants to get into politics. I don't think a political daytime talk show

would work. Following KO on MSNBC would be perfect!

[rurallib]

2. Rather see Rachel Maddow

Love to see Tuck fucked, see 'em let Joe go and some liberal heads on the air. Rosie would be OK.

[defendandprotect]

16. Let's have both--!!! How many men are on TV -- !!!!

[David Zephyr]

18. I agree. And I hope Tucker goes.

Rosie already has a very large television national following which Maddow doesn't, but I think that Maddow handles herself and hot issues with as much indignation as Rosie, but with more grace and wit.

[WCGreen]

27. Rachel can skewer an opponent....

Rosie tends toward bludgeoning...

[johnfunk]

28. Hey, the occasional bludgeoning can be a thing of beauty.

I still think Rosie's "hair-flip" impersonation of Donald Trump is one of the snarkiest and most hilarious things I've seen on TV.

Rosie's also a pretty decent interviewer. With the right director, she could bring more viewers to MSNBC -- and more redass to Rupert and Roger and O'Really...

[WCGreen]

35. With the right director I could bring more viewers to MSNBC....

She would defiantly be an improvement...

[in_cog_ni_to]

3. Hell yes!!! Rosie would be great on her own political talk show!

Though I would prefer Phil Donahue, Rosie ROCKS too! :yourock: GO ROSIE!!!!

[Stinky The Clown]

4. Man ..... I read this several times and had a different take away each time.

I'd be glad to have a strong, decidedly, unabashedly liberal voice on cable. And she fits the bill. But would she draw? Or would she be a target that actually makes our side look loony?

Why are they taking off Abrams? Maybe the better one to lose is Tucker, the ultimate low-rater.

My heart belongs to Rachel. But I don't think she'd be much of a draw if commercial success matters to the Peacockers.

[in_cog_ni_to]

7. Rosie saved The View. She would pull a huge audience.

We need another Liberal voice on TeeVee. That will make 2...KO and Rosie. How sad is that?

[femrap]

25. Plus Rosie is so damn

funny and sarcastic. I, for one, enjoy that. Rosie's heart is in the right place. This would be so cool.

I bet I wouldn't have to hear about Britney and put downs of other women....maybe Rosie will actually make fun of men for a change! That's the only way I think men will 'get it.' One of my friends just hates the father/husband on The Simpson's because he thinks it makes all men look stupid.

[Warpy]

5. It's too bad Abrams followed Olberman

Had he preceded Countdown, his numbers would have been far better. He was good, but was a letdown after KO's passionate review of the news.

O'Donnell might have what it takes, especially if she does an interview format.

[earth mom]

8. Are they going to muzzle her?

Because if they do, forgetaboutit.

I love Rosie and read her blog daily, but she has to be able to speak the truth about 911 LIHOP/MIHOP, * Impeachment etc., if they want the ratings they got on The View.

The thing of it is, is that people who love Rosie know the score and they are SICK TO DEATH of the lies they are being spoon fed from the corporate media whores!

Rosie has too much integrity to allow them to make her toe the line, so I don't see this working out if MSNBC tries to control her.

That said, I'd love to see her back on TV... although I don't have cable right now. Guess this would be a great excuse to order it up again! :evilgrin:

[babylonsister]

10. KO isn't muzzled. She would be a breath of fresh air, and on right

after Olbermann? I can see Larry King's ratings falling into the toilette!

[earth mom]

21. I don't have cable so I didn't know about KO not being muzzled.

I'm SO getting cable if Rosie can speak truth to power! :bounce:

[babylonsister]

22. You've never seen Olbermann?

I normally don't recommend that anyone do anything, but he really is worth watching. That's why everyone raves about him. You don't hear an important story on regular news, chances are KO will be covering it.
It's a rarity and thing of beauty. :-)

[earth mom]

24. My old Mac & IE browser didn't work well w/ YouTube-got a new Mac 2 months ago & have watched KO

a few times on YouTube since then. I agree-he's great! :)

[in_cog_ni_to]

12. I would think that's probably going to be in her contract...NO MUZZLING ALLOWED.

She has to have the freedom to speak her mind. That's why she left the view. They wanted her to shut up and she refused. Surely Dan Abrams (General Manager of MSNBC) will give her the freedom she needs....if he wants her bad enough.:)

[earth mom]

20. If so, then I'm all for it!

:woohoo:

[Maat]

9. I'd love to see Rosie with her own politically-oriented show.

After Keith O. - well, that would be perfect.

I'm always concerned about liberal hosts on MSNBC being told by Abrams to rachet down the anti-conservative or anti-BushCo talk. I wonder if it would be as good a place as, say, HBO?

[Bluestar]

11. Hee Hee--I squealed with delight when I read this post

Maybe all of my emails to MSNBC about their lame prison shows got some attention. Rosie will be a kick-ass addition to their line-up. Now if we can just get Rachel Maddow instead of the prison shows . . . I think this shows that the mood has definitely changed.

[babylonsister]

13. I agree about Rachel, but as someone mentioned, Rosie has a

huge following already. As for the 'mood', good point. Olbermann proves that with the fans who flock to watch his show.

[BleedingHeartPatriot]

31. Rachel's sooo good though. My husband saw her one time on KO and has become an instant fan.

She can win people over quickly, I'm sure.

But, I've liked Rosie for years, and would have no problem seeing her take the hand off from KO each night.

How nice to be talking to about two wonderful possibilities. :-) MKJ

[Stinky The Clown]

15. So far, none of this will affect their brain-dead 'Doc Block'

That who Doc Block is little more valuable than a test pattern, but it starts **after** Abrams' show, which is the one they're talking about replacing with Rosie.

Tucker .... THAT's the hour that needs revamping.

[in_cog_ni_to]

17. No kidding! I'm hoping David Shuster gets Tucker's job.

:)

[me b zola]

14. recommended

I love Rosie and would love for her to have a political show! :bounce:

[in_cog_ni_to]

19. KICK for Rosie! Needs one more Rec to make the Greatest Page!

:kick:

[otohara]

23. Excellent News -

k&r

[MadBadger]

26. I dont think cable news is the place for her

[Dangerman]

29. Go for it Rosie!

[Major Hogwash]

30. Rosie's day in the sun is over.

She might get a game show called "Who's the Idiot?", but that's about all she's qualified for now.

[Raine]

33. LOL

I totally agree though.

[in_cog_ni_to]

36. Think again. Rosie will be back.

Better than ever too!

Go Rosie!:woohoo:

[Generator]

32. Holy cracker batman!

Go Rosie. More fodder for why Comcast decided MSNBC must be kept away from the poor. I fear for her, though. If she does this and *GASP* does well, O'Reilly will put out a loofah fatwa on her.

[QMPMom]

34. Wonderful news! Let's all hope that it really happens.

[SoCalDem]

37. Oh PLEASE.. NO!

I have nothing against Rosie, but I can see soome dirty fingerprints on this whole "deal".. MSRNC won't hire someone like Rachel Maddow or Sam Seder or ask Phil Donahue back, or give Ariana Huffington a show. but they MIGHT hire Rosie.. why?

because she's as "red meat" to the opposition as it gets, and as a liberal, they would like to present her as THE face of liberalism..

What would be interesting, would be a revolving panel show of 5 or 6 progressives every day for a few hours..and NO "from the other side" trolls..

[pacalo]

38. Wonderful! K&R.

[earth mom]

39. Error: You've already recommended that thread.

:bounce: