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« Roush Dispatch
Mighty Mouth Leaves The View
The View by Heidi Gutman/ABC
The View is going to miss Rosie O’Donnell a lot more than I will. That's a minority viewpoint in this office and elsewhere, I’m sure, although there’s no question she is a polarizing figure for many: personally and politically, she’s all about ruffling feathers. This can make for good, or at least provocative, TV, which is why The View will miss her... a point made quite clear Wednesday morning, when Rosie announced she wasn’t able to work out a deal with ABC Daytime to continue beyond her one-year contract negotiations that Barbara Walters pointedly insisted did not not involve her; “This was not my doing and not my choice,” she said.
Rosie tried to cushion the blow right off the bat, upon reflecting on the “breaking news” (as she put it ironically) by saying her association with The View is not altogether over. She promises to continue to guest-host, to do hourlong specials on issues that matter to her, and otherwise remain a part of the family. Just not a full-time member: “I’m not going away. I’m just not going to be here every day.”
Walters, Joy Behar, even Rosie’s conservative nemesis and punching bag Elisabeth Hasselbeck, all made the proper noises of mourning the end of what no one can deny has been an “exciting” year for the show, with a ratings upsurge to prove it. With Rosie on board stirring things up, people have been talking about The View in a way they rarely have since this squawk show began 10 years ago.
Rosie brings an energy and vitality to everything she does. She also doesn’t know when or how to turn it off. She is electrifying, and she is her own worst enemy. Since she joined the roundtable, I’ve jokingly referred to the show as "The View from Afar," because I can only take it, and her, in small doses (sitting as far away from the set and with the volume as low as possible to lessen the intensity). The self-absorption and the stridency of her demeanor as she sits atop The View’s bully pulpit turns me off, even when I agree with what she’s saying and applaud the freedom the show gives her and the rest of the gang to express their uninhibited points of view.
For The View’s sake (not mine), I’m sorry she isn’t sticking around longer. (And if this means she's going to pursue a revival of her own solo talk show, at least I can put that on my long list of things to avoid in daytime. Personally, I'm all about Ellen.)
But this transition does provide a fascinating challenge for the show’s management, and I’ll be fascinated to see who they get to take over the hot seat. Will Rosie’s replacement be more of a den mother, like Meredith Vieira, or another professional lightning rod? Here’s a scary thought: Do you think Roseanne is looking for steady work?
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Apr 25, 2007 2:34 PM
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Other than having to read news items about it, I don't much care who they get to replace Rosie. I didn't watch the show much before she started, wouldn't once she did, and most likely won't after she's gone. Out of all the daytime talk shows, Ellen is the only one that I ever watch, even if I only see it occasionally. I basically gave up daytime TV long ago, although I admit to tuning into PBS's Wishbone when I think of it. 
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Apr 25, 2007 4:10 PM
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Matt,
I'm glad she's going.
This phrase "The self-absorption and the stridency of her demeanor as she sits atop The View’s bully pulpit turns me off..." I absolutely agree with.
And I like your title. 
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Apr 25, 2007 5:40 PM
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I am glad she is going. She stated opinions without facts to backup her outrageous remarks. She was not only annoying but dangerous. She has gone down since her ambush of Tom Selleck a few years ago on her own show. Her true colors showed up that day.
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Apr 25, 2007 6:34 PM
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Thank you, God, for getting out of the tub.
But I disagree with your characterization of Meredith Viera as a den mother.
What Meredith was and is, is a professional. She managed to have a sense of humor, a clear point of view and most importantly, a sense of the appropriate boundaries at 10 o'clock in the morning when there may be small children in the room.
Let's hope that Ms. Walters, who I've truly begun to believe is in the grips of some senior disease for allowing this level of chaos, recalls herself and looks for someone in Meredith's vein.
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Apr 25, 2007 8:02 PM
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While I've only tuned into The View a handful of times in the years it has been on tv, I've actively stayed away since Rosie's arrival. I have nothing against her personally, and actually loved her talk show initially. Your phrase The self-absorption and the stridency of her demeanor says it perfectly as to why I tuned out of her original show, and why I didn't want to watch her on The View, a show I already regarded as self-absorbed, strident, and whiny.
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Apr 25, 2007 11:19 PM
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"She stated opinions without facts to backup her outrageous remarks."
You obviously don't pay attention. Rosie doesn't spout off about things she hasn't researched.
Personally, I think most of the people who are so ardently against Rosie are men who are afraid of strong women. The rest are women who let men make all the decisions.
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Apr 26, 2007 9:11 AM
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I have always hated the argument that certain things cannot be said because children may hear. I don't know how these poor little kids are going to make it into adult-hood. Oh my their precious ears. Here's a newsflash-TURN OFF THE TV. I'd much rather have my children exposed to the debates on "The View" than any soap opera. There may not be discussion on them, but there certainly isn't a lot of clothing either. Sorry off topic, but the idea that "The View" needs "boundaries" at the same time all the soaps are on is just inane to me.
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Apr 26, 2007 2:30 PM
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Rosie was just Too much for the View. She can't play nice with others unless they completely agree with her. Meredith to me was the best member of the View ever. She had a great sense of Humor and did a decent job controlling all the other loud mouths and Joy,Star & Elizabeth are all loud mouths none bigger the Rosie which cause problems.
They should go with some one with Meredith's qualities. I am not sure what type of Sense's of Humor they have but people like, Deborah Roberts, Elizabeth Vargas some news type people. If they decide on another comedienne I would like Whoppi Goldberg.
I think Queen Barbara should go for quality and not controversy this time.
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Apr 26, 2007 2:55 PM
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Personally, I think most of the people who are so ardently against Rosie are men who are afraid of strong women. The rest are women who let men make all the decisions.
That is, perhaps, the most ignorant statement I have heard all week.
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Apr 26, 2007 3:37 PM
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Rosie saying "this was not my doing and not my choice" is utterly ridiculous. $10 million a year wasn't enough for her? Why does anyone deserve that much money to sit on TV and talk for an hour or two? I am glad she is leaving - and hopefully she takes Donald Trump with her!
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Apr 26, 2007 4:09 PM
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I have no real comments about Rosie leaving The View (although I did laugh out loud, Matt, when I read your suggestion that another Rosie take over!), but Monkey65 I wanted to thank you for reminding me about Wishbone! God, how I miss that show and Kratts' Creatures!
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Apr 27, 2007 8:58 AM
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I have to say I like Rosie, I think she brought something to the view. I agree she's loud and electrifying, but she's got something the others don't. I really liked her and will miss her.
I 2 love Ellen.
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Apr 29, 2007 10:46 PM
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I understood that initially, RO's contract was for one year w/the View. Anything after that, was more than she wanted, and I fear, could emotionally/mentally/spiritually handle.
I believe RO is in need of less stress, and possibly, a meds adjustment. Also, let's not forget that RO is an outstanding standup comedian, first and foremost. Political & social sensitivity are not her forte, nor what I expect from her. I believe she delivered the bang for the networks buck$.
And let's be honest here, how many people have not been seriously nauseated by Trump's strange Pompover, & his shameless attempts at 'celebrity'. Apparently DT does not realize that $$ can not buy everything.
At this time in my tirade I would also like to state that THE DONALD, when used correctly, refers to the one and only, DONALD DUCK.
I love RO, and wish RO and DT the best, and hope they both get well soon. 
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May 2, 2007 3:18 PM
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When I'm screening people who contact me through an online dating sight-- I know if they're not a rosie fan, I'm not going to pursue a date-- why bother. Matt Roush-- if I was straight, I'd screen you out after this blog.
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May 4, 2007 2:14 PM
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