DVDizzy Forum

RO-PLACEMENTS
LINE FORMS TO LEFT FOR OPEN 'VIEW' JOB; ROSEANNE EARLY FAVORITE

By DON KAPLAN

Among those faces being talked about to fill Rosie O'Donnell's chair on "The View" are Roseanne Barr, Connie Chung, Whoopi Goldberg and Joan Rivers.

April 30, 2007 -- A Rosie is a Rosie is a Rosie.

Roseanne Barr has emerged as the top contender to replace Rosie O'Donnell next year on "The View," sources say. A rep for Barr says she has not been approached.

"It's almost like that rumor that spread last month about how she was going to be on 'Desperate Housewives,' " said Barr's spokesperson. "She's a piece of work, she's a character, she says what's on her mind and she's funny," said a source with knowledge of ABC's sudden and desperate search to find a new co-host to replace O'Donnell who quit the show last week.

"They're missing strong personalities on that show, and that's what they're going to need if they want to keep it going," an ABC staffer close to the situation told the Post.

During an appearance on "Larry King" last week, Roseanne danced around the question of joining the "The View." "I'm not looking for the job," she said at one point - and joking at another, "Well, I want $10 million, like Rosie."

But she never said she wouldn't take it if offered. Since last week's announcement when Rosie said she planned to leave the show in June, several names have surfaced as possible replacements.

Among them are Joan Rivers, Whoopi Goldberg, Kathie Lee Gifford and Connie Chung. Out of all of them, Roseanne seems to be the best fit. "It's going to be hard for them to follow Rosie," says an industry insider. "Roseanne could be the only one capable of pulling it off."

Industry insiders have also suggested Bette Midler and D-lister, Kathy Griffin.

The job is particularly hard to fill for more reasons than just the difficulty of finding a new, strong personality. The open chair is the No. 1 seat on the show, requiring a star who can, in effect, be the show's quarterback - moving the discussion along, introducing guests and other duties that a TV neophyte might not be able to pull off believably.

O'Donnell said Wednesday that she's leaving "The View" after one year because she and ABC could not agree on a new deal.

Insiders have said she wanted more control over the show and decided to quit when that was denied. O'Donnell had replaced former "View" co host Meredith Vieira. Starr Jones, who also left the show last year, has yet to be replaced.

Lazario wrote:Kathy Griffin is, without question however, the Very Best nomination for New Co-Host. She is a Walking Riot, everywhere she goes. She's funny, courageous, a little crude, gracious, very real, and while not being as apt as Rosie to turn the entire discussion political, she's without question the most likely to make the show 100% Guaranteed Feel-Good Atmosphere. IF SHE IS CHOSEN, the Nation Will Become as Obsessed with Her as They Are with Ellen. And she deserves it! You can put my Solid-Gold Word on that.

Kathy Griffin is, without question however, the Very Best nomination for New Co-Host. She is a Walking Riot, everywhere she goes. She's funny, courageous, a little crude, gracious, very real, and while not being as apt as Rosie to turn the entire discussion political, she's without question the most likely to make the show 100% Guaranteed Feel-Good Atmosphere. IF SHE IS CHOSEN, the Nation Will Become as Obsessed with Her as They Are with Ellen. And she deserves it! You can put my Solid-Gold Word on that.

PapiBear wrote:It'll never happen, but I'd like to see someone like Attallah Shabazz as a regular on the show. She'd be way more interesting than Rosie or Whoopi.

One who might actually be a primo choice would be Jasmyne Cannick.

azul017 wrote:I honestly think Kathy Griffith is too good for a show like that.

azul017 wrote:I'd rather see her center stage in her reality show My Life on the D-List -- and every one of her stand-up specials just make me laugh really hard to the point of crying. She's so candid about life, crude, and hugely funny but presents herself as a really nice, talented woman who hasn't been given a fair share in the entertainment industry.

azul017 wrote:Not to mention she'd have to water herself down if she got the gig, but who'd want that?

azul017 wrote:And besides, didn't she make fun of Barbara Walters and The View in one of her stand-up specials?

Lazario wrote:

PapiBear wrote:It'll never happen, but I'd like to see someone like Attallah Shabazz as a regular on the show. She'd be way more interesting than Rosie or Whoopi.

One who might actually be a primo choice would be Jasmyne Cannick.

Yes it would be great for The View to get some real ethnic diversity on the show. But those suggestions... Can they be funny?

Siren wrote:I thought Joan Rivers died. Freaking walking dead. I can't stand her. You won't hear an "AWWWW" from me when she does.

Lazario wrote:However you will notice that in the response listing what women had been approached / considered for the position, that they're basically looking for someone with a real audience-tested and approved sense of humor.

Lazario wrote:I'm sorry they don't appear to be looking for someone a little more culturally well-versed or dignified. Believe me, I think they would suit the show most likely better than Kathie Lee Gifford or Joan Rivers.

PapiBear wrote:Oh, sure, but that's hardly surprising. Most people, when asked, just want the same reassuring pablum given to them. Few want to be challenged in any way. This explains quite a bit, when you look deeper into it.

AwallaceUNC wrote:A number of news outlets are reporting that "anonymous sources" from inside "The View" are telling them that Whoopi has been chosen to take Rosie's place:



I'd rather see Whoopi back in theaters, but that simply hasn't been happening lately. It will be nice to have a place to see her every day (especially since her radio show is just too early for me to hear on a regular basis) and hopefully this will revitalize her career.

-Aaron

Lazario wrote:And Virginia Tech is proof positive that whatever theory people like you have about gun privilages... isn't working out. People who commit mass murders are still having access to guns. That must be controlled. Some how. Seriously now, what's your theory? Just leave it be? Don't do anything, leave things the way they are? That's why Virginia Tech happened. And I'm glad Rosie said something.

Lazario wrote:

carter1971 wrote:First of all, I don't like hypocrites. We all know how passionate about gun control Rosie supposedly is. But, as most of you remember, in May 2000 it was revealed that her bodyguard had applied for a concealed carry permit. So, she fired the bodyguard, right? Of course not. Even though she once stated that guns should be outlawed and gun owners should go to prison, she claimed that it was ok for him to carry a gun because she and her children needed protection. That sort of thing should be infuriating to anyone, regardless of which side of the gun control issue you take.

You have a point there. And a pretty good one.

But think about this for a moment - she's a gay, female celebrity with a "big mouth" who has children. Psychos love to murder women, celebrities, people with big mouths, and gay people, especially with children.

I agree with the idea of practice what you preach. But should her entire family die for other people's zealotry? Imagine how many death threats she must get per day. Would you want to be her? Would you take those chances? Especially with children?

I agree with you, on principle. And if I were her, I would have done a lot of things differently. But she's not stupid. Hypocrite or not, she can't afford to risk the lives of her children for ideals.