Could Rosie Become the Next Oprah? Readers Spar
Rosie O'Donnell aims to return to daytime TV shortly after Oprah's exit in the fall of 2011 -- with a program sounding suspiciously similar to O's, featuring hour-long, single-topic episodes. "I would like this show to make a difference in people's lives, to be real, uplifting, authentic and focus on life, love and laughter," O'Donnell told the Associated Press.
In light of this, we turned to our ever-growing Pop Chorus to see if they think Rosie might be the new Oprah. After the jump, two of our readers -- both men, interestingly enough -- sound off. One has followed Rosie's highs and lows and believes in her next move; the other thinks Rosie is exactly what daytime television doesn't need.
Rosie's Done Good and Bad -- Maybe Now She Can Be Great
By Peter Gordon
I loved Rosie O'Donnell's last talk show and the freshness it brought to afternoon television. As a middle-aged man, I'm not Rosie's typical audience, but I found myself asking my wife to tape the program for me every day. Rosie clearly had fun hosting the show, and her studio audience, guests and viewers enjoyed themselves as well. I was very sorry when she decided to call it quits.
Sadly, Rosie hasn't done much to endear herself to viewers since. Her short, angry turn on 'The View' was embarrassing, and her prime time variety show, which NBC aired in 2008, was a
disaster. My family and I were amongst the few that viewed it, and we sat with our mouths agape like we were witnessing a car crash.
That's why I was glad to hear Rosie plans to return with a serious, one-issue show to potentially replace Oprah. Rosie has had some talk show success, but not nearly the experience Oprah has.
Let's remember that Oprah didn't start as a national icon -- she spent years honing her craft in Chicago, and later on-air in syndication, before she dominated afternoon talk.
Perhaps we need to dial down our expectations.
No one can really replace Oprah, but Rosie has a better chance than most. I'll be pulling for her.
Right Idea, Wrong Person
By Ryan Merkel
Rosie O'Donnell hosting her own Oprah-type talk show will be a debacle. She's a remarkable comedienne and has a natural celebrity presence, but she is no Oprah. Trying to cash in on Oprah's vacancy from the TV world is a good strategic move, but Rosie is the wrong player. Rosie needs to stick to what she knows -- namely, comedy.
While on 'The View,' Rosie proved she had interviewing talent and a witty way about her. Ironically, Rosie's fallout on 'The View' is the reason I can't take her seriously anymore. She proved to be loud, opinionated and overbearing. Those ingredients don't mix to form a feel-good, listen-to-the-public-and-solve-their-problems type of show. Watching Rosie help a couple of teenagers sort out what it feels like to be different for an hour does not appeal to me. I might watch the first episode, but only out of sheer curiosity, for the same reason someone wants to look at a bus accident -- you really don't want to see, but you know you'll have a good horror story to tell your friends.
The world doesn't need another Oprah. What we need is an Oprah/Ellen love child that will make us laugh and get us to think by bringing important matters into our living rooms each day -- a brand of TV where we get to see the celebrities plug their latest achievements but still focus on the world's issues. I wish Rosie nothing but the best in her endeavors, but this venture is on its way to becoming a colossal mistake.
Add a comment
If you were to have posed this question in the mid 90s, it might have been a different answer. Now, it is simply no. She has, unfortunately, brought way too much controversy to herself in the recent years. Early on, she was funny and easy going; likable if you will. Now, not so much. We all have problems in our lives, but when you take to trashing everyone around you, most of the time, it would seem to be a career killer. I don't care one way or another, but there are viewers out there that clearly have evil on their minds when Rosie is mentioned. However, props to those TV bigwigs who think they can keep her in check and not run off their viewers.
Reply
Jamie,
I am in TOTAL agreement with you and well spoken......... Oprah and Rosie have lost their shine ~~ now they are just rich people who think they are superior.........NOT !!!!
I have to agree. Being obnoxious is one thing, but when take to attacking people the way she did, like she did with Kelly Ripa,it is ridiculous. Rosie gets put on the list of people that I wish would retire from show biz, and go start an ant farm.
I agree with Jamie. What talk needs is a new young face like Taylor or Mylie. Even a sexy Pamela Anderson is better than Rosie. Look for someone fresh with new writers and young ideas.
I agree with Jamie. O'Donnell is obnoxious, abrasive &, at times, quite immature. Oprah is an original. Why on earth would anybody think they could "follow" her?
Rosie's a Pro, she deserves her show as much as any host out there. What kind of wimps can't handle someone else's point of view anyway?
Apparently the networks can't find any women under 200 lbs to "fill" this time spot?? Obviously they are interested in only "big" female viewers to watch during this time slot!
Need someone new, someone smart, someone that is capable of taking a dull story and making it into something special. someone that is able to respect their guests,someone still willing to help people. So So tired of both Oprah and Rosie
I DON'T LIKE OPRAH, BUT I REALLY DISLIKE ROSIE.THE EPISODE OF HER SHOW WHERE SHE AMBUSHED TOM SELLECK SPOKE VOLUMES OF HER TRUE CHARACTER. I NEVER COULD STAND HER AFTER THAT.
Reply
Funny thing about that Tom Selleck interview. She blasted him about supporting guns and the second Amendment, and earlier during THAT show she endorsed Star Wars and WEAPONS! which she had displayed all over her set. She is a fat ego maniac who, like too many entertainers, think we give a dam about her opinions.If she or most interviewers would do just that, INTERVIEW, and leave their own opinions at the back door,the everday public could be more informed and could make their own opinion about things. Imagine that!
I absolutely agree. Rosie has zero class. She couldn't hold a candle to the class act of Tom Sellick and she did self destruct in her sneaky effort to attack him. Not only no class, absolutely no integrity and a pig an absolute pig. Wouldn't bring her into my home if I were paid to....And the network who would sponsor her would be off my list as well...
I was always a big fan of Rosie's until her opinions started being more important to her than what her guests were saying. I can't get past that memory of her bashing Tom Selleck.
I liked Oprah when she first started out in her talk show but I DON'T like Oprah now at all and Rosie is obnoxious, rude and I do not like her, never have !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Reply
ROSIE O IS A SELF CENTERED TWITT THAT SHOULD STAY HOME BECAUSE HER OPINIONS DO NOT MATTER TO ANYONE THAT'S WHY SHE LOST ALL HER JOBS IN THE PAST! I DON'T LIKE HER AND NEVER DID.
Reply
Rosie had a rough time on the view and it turned out to be medical problems. I loved her before the view then didn't care for her after that. I had the opportunity to actually meet her in a casual atmosphere and spend time talking to her. She is very down to earth, a wonderful person and cares deeply for children in need. Give her a chance, I certainly have a different view of her after spending time with her without cameras and tv crews and tabloids!!
No I do not think Rosie will draw the TV audience like she might have years ago before she became so controversial. Even Oprah has lost a lot of her apeal the last few years. I think after a long period of time, people just get tired of the same old thing. I also think the Entertainers who do best are those who do not share too much personal information about themselves. There are so many talk shows on now, is there really a need for anyone to take Oprah's place.
Reply
i will never watch her show no matter who is dumb enough to go on her show.
Reply
I don't think that no one can replace Oprah just look at her talk show run and it seems to me that Rosie had her chance with a talk show and ended it. I will not be pulling for Rosie at all when Oprah leaves her show for Her OWN Network I'll head to Ellen and watch her show!
Reply
Rosie will be like Oprah only if she changes her skin color to black. They are both fat loudmouths now.
Reply
I will never watch Rosie. I too, find her rude, obnoxious, as well as boorish. There has to be a woman that is attractive, intelligent, and personably,that has the journalistic background of Oprah.
Reply