Once upon a time the airwaves were filled with TV variety shows. There were stars like Sonny and Cher and Donny and Marie, and further back, The Ed Sullivan Show and The Carol Burnett Show. Well, Rosie O'Donnell remembers that kind of TV entertainment, and she thinks it's what America wants now. As Bob reported not long ago, NBC is giving her an hour to see if anyone agrees, the night before Thanksgiving, November 26, from 9-10 p.m. ET, Rosie Live will air live from the Shubert Theater in New York.
The news today is that Rosie has booked Ne-Yo and Alanis Morissette to provide the musical portion of the program. The plans for the rest of the hour include a topical monologue, which Rosie should have no problem pulling off because she did one every day on her daytime talk show.
There are also going to be musical production numbers, a staple on The Carol Burnett Show, as well as comedy sketches. The press release from NBC promises that they will be hilarious. Hmm...maybe if Tina Fey were to show up with her Sarah Palin glasses?
No, in all seriousness, I commend NBC for taking a chance like this, as well as Rosie. This is a risky venture, because musical variety is perceived as an old-fashioned notion. On the other hand, what's American Idol if not a musical variety type of show with judges? Also, NBC is hedging its bet by giving Rosie Live a Wednesday slot, and as Nielsen has been reporting all season long, Wednesday is the worst night of the week for ratings, outside of Friday and Saturday.
I will be interested enough to tune in, but that's because I like Rosie O'Donnell. There are a lot of people like me, but there are also just as many who loathe her, so we'll have to see. Still, I give her props for sticking her neck out.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
11-13-2008 @ 1:31AM
Ryan said...
nothing against Rosie, but if they really want to revive the genre why not do a special with Carol Burnett? CBS did just one special several years ago and was shocked at the results. I'm sure Carol Would be up for it.
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11-13-2008 @ 4:36AM
eugene said...
said it before, I'll say it again... a reality show hosted by someone who's lost touch with it...
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11-13-2008 @ 7:36AM
Bob said...
wow shes fat!
Greetz Bob - http://www.james-bond-quantum-of-solace.com/
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11-13-2008 @ 9:05AM
No1Dad said...
Great. Looking forward to more lectures about how Bush was behind 9/11 and fire can't melt steel. Good times.
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11-13-2008 @ 9:28AM
const said...
After all the programming debacles, when does zucker ever be held accountable for destroying NBC? Primetime is unwatchable and the news division is a mouthpiece for one party.
In less than a decade, this once powerhouse broadcaster is reduced to rubble. Yet somehow, Zucker not only keeps his job, but he gets promoted. Insane.
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11-13-2008 @ 9:37AM
Mike said...
Big mistake, NBC. They think everyone loves Rosie, but she's become such a shrill one sided harpie she pisses off as many people as she entertains. I for one wouldn't watch one of her shows for anything. They need someone young and entertaining, like Carrie Underwood, who is comfortable on camera but has her own talent as well.
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11-13-2008 @ 10:44AM
Joseph said...
I don't even know who carrie underwood is. I recognize the name, but I'm willing to bet that billing wouldn't pull the initial ratings. Maybe she is amazing and charismatic and her audience would grown, but it would probably be pulled especially if its going to have a Wednesday time slot.
Rosie will likely get all of her old audience from her talk show and all of Ellen's current audience. The fact that she is controversial right now is free publicity. This format won't allow for her to preach her views (I strongly disagree with them as you do), and its likely a ton of people will tune in to see what happens. Remember the effect this election had on ratings. Now that it is over people still have that political hunger.
I would guess this will be a huge success at first, but whether it will retain it's audience is iffy. I'll give it a shot because I happen to agree that America wants/needs this right now, and I will always give Rosie another shot. The kind of sacrifices she makes by being honest is commendable, even if the substance is off-putting.
11-13-2008 @ 12:29PM
Tracey said...
The musical-variety show format was killed beyond resurrection when they made a musical-variety Star Wars holiday special.
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11-13-2008 @ 4:09PM
Jimmy said...
Couldn't find an older photo of Rosie?
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11-13-2008 @ 4:57PM
Jonna said...
Didn't they already try this with the Wayne Brady show? I don't think that format really works in this day and age, plus I don't see Rosie as a comedienne at Carol Burnett's caliber. Plus Carol had a great ensemble cast that made her show what it was.
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11-14-2008 @ 8:02AM
SadOldMan said...
The show will probably include a competitive eating segment?
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11-15-2008 @ 7:58AM
margie said...
I just love Rosie O. She makes me laugh and makes me feel happy. I will watch anything with Rosie on it. I stopped watching the View when she left. (only watched because of her) Just watch the ratings go up on her new program. Margie
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11-25-2008 @ 2:54PM
Gabe said...
I LOVE Rosie! I can't wait till this show. Its on tomorrow. Rosie is just such a funny, open-hearted human being, you just can't help but love her. This is gonna be fun.
Happy Thanks giving everyone!
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11-27-2008 @ 1:17PM
Vic Casciola said...
Apparently you never met rosie in person...
11-27-2008 @ 9:36PM
SHERYL said...
LIKE THE LIVE SHOW-ITS LIKE BEING ON A LIVE SHOW ON YOUR TV SET
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11-28-2008 @ 6:13PM
Mr Dale - NYC said...
Who ever at NBC gave to green light for this should be fired!
Rosie needs to bow out and leave the American Public alone.
Two words Rosie... Shut Up!
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12-02-2008 @ 8:45AM
mo said...
FAIL
Already canceled. No talent.
FAIL
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12-02-2008 @ 12:36PM
sharon said...
She's a big fat dike - She has lost all my respect (Ellen is now my favorite - Ellen is not IN YOUR FACE about being a lesbian - I'm so happy for Ellen and Porsche - so before you get on me about being a lesbian hater). I concur with others - 1) Rosie, your 15 minutes are up and 2) you are not right about a lot of things - go back to your cruise ship - perhaps you can sing on the boat - you sure can't sing on TV
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12-02-2008 @ 11:21PM
Jane said...
I don't think it's the variety show format that is the problem. It's Rosie. I wouldn't watch anything with her on it. I used to love her on her talk show when she was the "queen of nice" and was warm and funny, but she has changed so much. Now she is so rude, vicious, mean, and strident about everything. I don't care about her weight or sexual preference, it's her personality that will keep me from ever watching her again.
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12-04-2008 @ 3:09PM
wookie said...
Rosie Live! was awful. I tried to watch it but it was too painful. Didn't she used to be funny or talented or something???? My son was bummed because her show bumped Knight Rider. After ten minutes of RL! (why I watched that long I don't know...maybe the 'train wreck' aspect of it), I was bummed that Knight Rider wasn't on. What a flop! Someone at NBC dropped a big one and I would bet (hope) has some explaining to do to keep their job!
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