NBC's Rosie O’Donnell variety show disappoints

Rosie O'Donnell gave NBC a real turkey.

The network's attempt to revive the primetime variety show failed to draw an audience Wednesday night, tying for the evening's lowest-rated program.

A mere 5 million viewers tuned in for the 8 p.m. premiere of "Rosie Live," with the program earning a 1.2 preliminary adults 18-49 rating. The telecast matched ABC's recently canceled "Pushing Daisies" as the night's lowest-rated program on a major broadcast network.

NBC had high hopes for the special and planned to expand the program into a series should viewers re-embrace the decades-old variety format. Other networks, too, were watching closely since several are developing variety shows of their own.

"There's a notion that the climate is right for the genre to make a comeback," emailed one executive at a rival network. "I guess we now know what not to do, thanks to Rosie."

Segments included Kathy Griffin impersonating Nancy Grace, Alec Baldwin hitting Conan O'Brian with a pie, O'Donnell singing "City Lights" with Liza Minnelli and Jane Krakowski doing a product-placement-themed striptease for White Castle burgers and Crest Whitestrips.

Critics were not kind. The NY Times described it as "hokey comedy with an enemies list." TV Guide called it a "ghastly ego trip." And the LA Times asked, "Rosie, what on earth were you thinking?"

Networks have been looking for variety show programming as a cheap option to fill their schedules. But the idea has been sought by executives due the format's rock-bottom cost, cross-promotion possibilities and advertiser-friendly format. In other words, the neo-variety show is a retread designed to solve financial woes rather than an act of programming inspiration -- a bean-counting origin story that makes it tough to imagine an exciting final product.

NBC's variation, in particular, seemed unlikely to attract a broad audience given O'Donnell's divisive personality. Stocked with appearances by Alannis Morrisette, Ne Yo, Rachael Ray, Harry Connick Jr., Clay Aiken and Gloria Estefan, along with Minnelli, Baldwin, Griffin and Krakowski, the lineup's appeal also skewed heavily female for a primetime show airing on the eve of a family holiday.

One special that did perform well last night was Barbara Walters' interview with Barack and Michelle Obama (11.6 million, 3.0 rating). The interview nearly matched "CSI: NY" in the 10 p.m. hour and gave ABC its highest non-awards show rating in the time period in more than a year.

UPDATE: Rosie O'Donnell says NBC won't order more variety show episodes and responds to critics

Comments

[Prince Ruprect]

Oh, how I remember, the days of Carroll Burnett!
How I long for a day when SOMEONE with talent, intelligence, and humor will come to the forefront and do for this generation what she did for mine!

NBC, a word of advice: Next time you want to get a variety show going, DO NOT use a talentless, obnoxious, spiteful, mean spirited, hateful, and stupid reject to host it. Oh, and some good writing would help too.

Rosie, if you were NICE, but ignorant, you wouldn't get ripped on like you see here. BUT, you are mean, and ignorant, and seem to think your opinions are cared about by the viewing public.

Obviously, you are wrong.
Go away.

[King Louie XIV]

The fat lady has sung, and rather poorly at that...Rosie it's time to take that huge ass of yours and exit stage left.

Sister Rosie, you are so over. Your expiration date has come and gone. Bye, bye you fat, vile pig.

[Jay Wicker]

It is utterly and painfully clear to any thinking person that the national media cannot be trusted with things political--NBC and MSNBC chief among them. They can't even host a variety show without peppering it with leftist garbage.
News flash national media and networks: Millions no longer trust or believe you. You forfeited your integrity during the election to a stunning level. Goodbye!

[ralph]

Ge seems bent on the destruction of the USA.... Doing business with IRAN and putting ROSIE on the TV. The former is committed to western destruction and the later likely to commit suicide with Rosie infatuation by somebody in hollywood. She's the equivalent of a suicide bomber for the masses!

[Ol Redneck]

I missed the show, too bad. Rosie is a loser from git go. Here in Dogpatch USA, we have a picture of her on the town outhouse. All the good looking babes get their pictures inside. Rosie is a left wing bull dyke of biblical proportions. Her views are anti-american and she needs to go to Dogpatch so I can use her for gator bait.

[Regular American]

Hollywood just like the MSM once again trying to cram their left wing, liberal agenda down our throats. (Rosey O'Donnell for Pete's sake?! She couldn't even survive on the left leaning View!) Hollywood and the MSM keep making these sorts of lefty decisions thinking maybe this time we'll "understand" the "wisdom" of their decision. Seems to me if they were truly wise, they would realize the money (and viewership) would come from understanding the rest of us!

[Dan Cooper]

Fat LiB LeZ and was never funny. She stinks even worse now. AMF

[Carpet Lad]

Hey Pres, Elect Obama.... protect your approval rating and tell the SS guys to shoot her on site if she get near you or your girls!!! hahhahahahahahhah your suck rosie,

[Palo]

I would call Rosie a pig but I DON'T WANT TO INSULT PIGS!!!!!

[Wish Upon A Star]

GE = Generous Excretment

[Daniel Sorrentino]

I'm not surprised that her show was a complete and utter failure. Especially considering some of the total losers she had on the show i.e. Alec Baldwin....
I cannot beleive that this fat pig still does not see herself for what she really is, just basically an obese female version of Keith Overbite, Countdown to no ratings.........

[Chris]

This was the worst 60 minutes I have EVER seen on network television. Dancing FOOD? She had dancing food!

Rosie, you sadden gay Americans that you would even THINK to represent us. You don't. You embarrass us EVERY time you open your hate filled, ill informed mouth.

[PattyO]

It was on too early. I would have watched but was too busy at that time. Love ya Rosie

[Avitar]

If the networks want a good variety show they have to get someone who is hot now. Not someone long gone over-the-hill or a never was. Sonny and Cher had been a number one charting act less than four years before. Dispite New York ignorance so had most of the others. Dean Martin seems like paleoworld today but he wasn't when his show started.

Think Fergie or Shakira or other first rate musical talent. Comidy has moved off to cable territory and probably could never be squeesed down to standards and practices today.

[PattyO]

It was on too early. I would have watched but was too busy at that time. Love ya Rosie

[NoGutsNoGlory]

I am affraid NBC will still not get it! They are so far left, they can not see reality.

Rosie and her hate America buddies will never get the fact most American's do not like the kind of garbage they offer.

But good old NBC will always bend over for them, they will always have a platform to spew their hate filled swill from, thanks NBC.

Do as I do I boycott all NBC promoters. DO NOT BUY FROM NBC ADVERTIZERS.

[Bill]

Please start up a camp for fat; loud-mouthed; stupid; ignorant; and, basically retarded lesbians. NO ONE cares what you have to say. Why not devote your time returing to school and taking a chemistry class and learn the principles regarding the melting point of steel.

[nita taefi]

Why do they bring this cow back again and again? She obviously has a problem with rational behavior and with her leftist leanings comes across like a bitter loser.

[Rolling Tank]

Kathy Griffin, Alec Baldwin, & Rosie O'Douchebag, together on the same show! NBC should have sold "Rosie Live" vomit bags to make up for the lost advertising revenue on this pile of crap.

ROSIE WE HATE YOUR GUTS!

[Neal N Lichmee]

I have a confession to make. 20 years ago, when I first saw Rosie hosting segments of Comedy Central "Stand Up"....I noticed her rack and even pondered "banging her." I need therapy.

[pgauge]

Seeing that this comment thread has now broken through 500, I'd say the use of the word "disappoints" in the headline is the understatement of the year.

[Clay Ailkin]

You know... I really liked Rosie, then I realized I only liked her 'after' she went away. I hope I will get to like her again... real soon!

[greg]

After last night's show, I look forward to seeing her as much as her gynecologist! Gag! However, I think the show is going to get a new sponcer...I heard it was going to be Snap On Tools.

[Bob NYC]

HA HA ! Now we see where the right wing haters have gathered - all mad about the election and desperately trying to find a way to express their anger - How many of these comments were about "left wing" etc. and slaps at Rosie's God-given sexual orientation? This blog is a gathering place for self-disenfranchised literal losers. And most of whom, judging by the comments, didn't even watch the show. The hate here would be overwhelming if anyone took any of it seriously. Get over yourselves.

[tomcruiseisnuts]

I wonder why she didn't have Tom Cruise on as a guest. Oh, that's right, America has rejected him too because of his fucked-up space alien rants. Take a lesson, Hollywood: America is telling you to stick it where the sun don't shine.

***** I'm Amy from Illinois and I approved this message.

[Greg]

Go away lard ass! If you needed any validation that you are and have always been a failure, you got it last night! You are a piece of garbage! Go crawl into a hole, if you can fit into one, and live the rest of your miserable life away from TV. You suck ass!

[Dee]

WAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!

As GE employee I am embarassed that they would think they could save NBC with such a non show and host like her. I guess I will be working until I'm 80 if this is what they expect to bring back the stock price.

[Paul]

I really like Rosie and appreciate her openness and honesty about her beliefs (though I don't agree with much of it), but everything about the program was a mess. Embarrassingly unwatchable. Like everything else on NBC, actually.

As for the people who hate Rosie -- obviously you prefer people who try to be sneaky about their retarded political beliefs. They can be farther left than Rosie and truly anti-American, but as long as they are fake like the repulsive Barbara Walters or pompous ass Tom Brokaw...it's fine with you.

Grow a brain.

[Wag]

This is the saddest news I have read all day. How could this show's ratings be so low? I LOVE "PUSHING DAISIES!!!"

[Bill]

NBC and Rosie deserve each other. The next thing you know NBC will be asking for a "bailout" too. Rosie is nothing but a bitter dyke who hates America. Remember, she is the one preaching the conspiracy theory about the terrorists attacks on 911 and said that fire cannot melt steel in the Twin Towers, therefore Bush must have had something to do with it. How does she think steel is made in the first place?....very hot fire, Rosie. What an idiot and hater! Rosie, please move to Venezuala or Iran or something. Just go away.

[fred]

Somehow, the show lasted about 43 seconds in our household - we must have been distracted.

Never has there been such a hateful person to host a network show. Geez, stick her on Logo or something. Just get her off my TV.

[GE and NBC suck]

Don't worry Greg, I am sure GE will have many more deals with the Iranian government to support you in you retirement. Be proud of your employer.

[Candy]

I remember when Rosie had her first show and it was good. She came out of the closet and since then she is toxic. She does nothing but spew hate and vulgarity. It's sad. I still remember when she had Britney Spears on her show and told her to stay just the way she was. Britney didn't and Rosie didn't listen to her own words. I didn't watch the show, I refuse to watch NBC, CBS or ABC unless it's a football game. What in the world is wrong with people these days? God help our children and grandkids. Rosie, go back in your closet and stay there.

[fred]

Well, now we know what a pig with lipstick really looks like.....

awful, simply

[Rip UR Heart Out]

Hey Bob NYC, welcome to the loser club! You're just another liberal turd in the punch bowl.

[Jack]

Boy, it didn't take long before someone had to bring Bush into this discussion, did it Curt? Geeze.

[Ken Oglesby]

I missed a chance to see the most venomous,hate-filled woman in the world?
I will never forgive myself.
Oh,chances wasted.
I am forlorn and without hope because I missed this.

[john]

The show was bad. However, let's get constructive. Rosie, I advise you to sit down and figure out what you do best then do that...period.

[Las Vegas Dave]

Rosie,

WE've had it with your brand of left wing trash talk. Go flush yourself in the sewer of discontent that you love to foment.