'The Rosie Show' bows on Oprah network
Rosie O'Donnell speaks to the media after the unveiling of a new sign outside Harpo Studios welcoming "The Rosie Show," to the studio, on Sept. 15, 2011. Credit: AP
A few years ago, Rosie O'Donnell starred in a Thanksgiving eve special on NBC that was to be something of a test. If the test was passed, she'd get a series on the big network! If she failed. . . . Well, why dwell on forgotten ghosts of TV past?
Except that the ghost returned to haunt Monday night's launch of "The Rosie Show" on OWN.
I could swear the semi-clad men who danced around Rosie right after her opening monologue were the same guys who danced with the star dressed as a giant turkey in that long-ago monstrosity. Some ideas are better left by the curb -- monologue dancers chief among them -- but the larger problem with this otherwise traditional late night talk show is all the questions that demanded answers and got none. Such as: Why a late night talk show at 7 p. m.? Or: Why a scabrous award show host Russell Brand as first guest?
Beats me, but "The Rosie Show" is a mess.
Of course, first nights are messy. They can also be promising. Yet nothing here suggested promise.
O'Donnell long ago ditched the "cutie-patootie" celeb interview business in favor of stridency, even anger. The world's injustices infuriated her and she occasionally infuriated the world -- or at least Tom Selleck. But dancers? Corny monologue? Brand and his "shagging" adventures? "The Ro Game" -- think the same shtick from the old daytime talker?
Oprah came out to give her newest star a welcome hug. We'll see how long the love lasts.
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