Editing Rosie O'Donnell (section)

==Career==
===1979–1995: Stand-up and early work===
O'Donnell toured as a stand-up comedian in clubs from 1979 to 1984.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20061111045509/http://www.eonline.com/celebrities/profile/index.jsp?uuid=c967a0ca-63f1-4edb-b3c6-ec4bdbbc0c4a Rosie O'Donnell profile], ''E! Online''</ref> She got her first big break on ''[[Star Search]]'', explaining on ''[[Larry King Live]]'':<ref>{{cite news|title=Highlights of Interviews With Rosie O'Donnell|url=http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0203/16/lklw.00.html|work=[[Larry King Live]]|publisher=CNN|access-date=February 15, 2014|date=March 16, 2002}}</ref>

{{blockquote|I was 20 years old, and I was at a comedy club in [[Long Island]]. This woman came over to me and she said, I think you're funny. Can you give me your number? My dad is [[Ed McMahon]]. I was like, yeah, right. I gave her my father's phone number. I was living at home, I'm like, whatever. And about three days later, the talent booker from ''Star Search'' called and said, we're going to fly you out to L.A. ... I won, like, five weeks in a row. And it gave me national exposure.}}
[[File:RosieODonnell.jpg|thumb|left|O'Donnell at the 1992 [[Emmy Awards]]]]

After this success, she moved on to television sitcoms, making her series debut as [[Gimme a Break#Main characters|Nell Harper]]'s neighbor on ''[[Gimme a Break!]]'' in 1986.<ref name=PeopleBio/> In 1988, she joined music video station [[VH1]]'s lineup of [[VJ (media personality)|veejays]].<ref name=PeopleBio/> She started hosting a series for VH1, ''Stand-up Spotlight'', a showcase for up-and-coming comedians.<ref name=PeopleBio/> In 1992, she starred in ''[[Stand By Your Man (TV series)|Stand By Your Man]]'', a [[Fox Network]] sitcom co-starring [[Melissa Gilbert]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Peterson|first=Bettelou|title=Gilbert, O'Donnell were in 'Stand by Your Man'|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2002&dat=19930224&id=lLYiAAAAIBAJ&pg=1567,5604853|access-date=February 18, 2014|newspaper=[[The Beaver County Times]]|date=February 24, 1993}}</ref> The show bombed, just as O'Donnell's film career took off. O'Donnell made her feature film debut in ''[[A League of Their Own]]'' (1992) alongside [[Tom Hanks]], [[Geena Davis]], and [[Madonna]], the latter of whom became a lifelong friend.<ref name="actors" /><ref>{{cite web |last1=Papa |first1=Rocco |title=The Truth Behind Madonna And Rosie O'Donnell's Friendship |url=https://www.thethings.com/the-truth-behind-madonna-and-rosie-odonnells-friendship/ |website=The Things |date=September 4, 2023 |access-date=12 August 2024}}</ref> She was originally considered for the role of Mary Sanderson in Disney's ''[[Hocus Pocus (1993 film)|Hocus Pocus]]'', but it was ultimately given to [[Kathy Najimy]]. O'Donnell claimed on her blog that she turned down the offer to work with [[Bette Midler]] because she refused to portray a frightening evil witch. Throughout her career, she has taken on an eclectic range of roles: she appeared in ''[[Sleepless in Seattle]]'' as [[Meg Ryan]]'s character's best friend; as [[Betty Rubble]] in the [[The Flintstones (film)|live-action film adaptation]] of ''[[The Flintstones]]'' with [[John Goodman]], [[Elizabeth Perkins]], and [[Rick Moranis]]; as one of [[Timothy Hutton]]'s co-stars in ''[[Beautiful Girls (film)|Beautiful Girls]]''; as a federal agent comedically paired with [[Dan Aykroyd]] in ''[[Exit to Eden (film)|Exit to Eden]]''; as the voice of a tomboyish female gorilla named Terk in [[Disney]]'s ''[[Tarzan (1999 film)|Tarzan]]'';{{cn|date=April 2025}} and as a baseball-loving nun in [[M. Night Shyamalan]]'s ''[[Wide Awake (1998 film)|Wide Awake]]''.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://archive.nytimes.com/www.nytimes.com/library/film/032098wide-film-review.html |title='Wide Awake': Squeaky Clean and Relentlessly Coy |work=The New York Times |last=Holden |first=Stephen |date=March 20, 1998 |access-date=April 22, 2025}}</ref>

O'Donnell was considered for the role of [[Elaine Benes]] on ''Seinfeld''.<ref>{{Cite web |date=January 1, 2022 |title=Seinfeld: The Actresses Who Almost Played Elaine Benes |url=https://screenrant.com/seinfeld-elaine-actors-almost-cast-played/ |access-date=April 26, 2022 |website=ScreenRant |language=en-US |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220102164934/https://screenrant.com/seinfeld-elaine-actors-almost-cast-played/ |archive-date=January 2, 2022 |url-status=live}}</ref>

===1996–2002: ''The Rosie O'Donnell Show''===
In 1996, she began hosting a [[Daytime television|daytime]] talk show, ''[[The Rosie O'Donnell Show]]'', for her production company KidRo Productions.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Bing|first=Jonathan|date=November 17, 2000|title=McCall's relaunch is Rosie|url=https://variety.com/2000/tv/news/mccall-s-relaunch-is-rosie-1117789301/|access-date=October 19, 2020|website=Variety|language=en-us|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201021154249/https://variety.com/2000/tv/news/mccall-s-relaunch-is-rosie-1117789301/|archive-date=October 21, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="TimbergErler2002">{{cite book|last1=Timberg|first1=Bernard M.|last2=Erler|first2=Bob|title=Television Talk: A History of the TV Talk Show|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9f4wu3uygR4C&pg=PA183|access-date=February 18, 2014|date=May 15, 2002|publisher=[[University of Texas Press]]|isbn=978-0-292-78176-4|page=183}}</ref> The show proved very successful, winning multiple [[Emmy Awards]],<ref>{{cite news|last=O'Neil|first=Tom|title=Can Rosie O'Donnell grab her old Emmy crown from Ellen DeGeneres?|url=http://goldderby.latimes.com/awards_goldderby/2010/03/can-rosie-odonnell-grab-her-old-emmy-crown-back-from-ellen.html|access-date=February 18, 2014|newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]]|date=March 23, 2010|archive-date=March 4, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140304061010/http://goldderby.latimes.com/awards_goldderby/2010/03/can-rosie-odonnell-grab-her-old-emmy-crown-back-from-ellen.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> and earning O'Donnell the title of "The Queen of Nice" for her style of light-hearted banter with her guests and interactions with the audience.<ref name="TimbergErler2002" /> As part of her playful banter with her studio audience, O'Donnell often launched [[koosh ball]]s at the crowd and camera.<ref>{{cite book|last=Chetwynd|first=Josh|title=The Secret History of Balls: The Stories Behind the Things We Love to Catch, Whack, Throw, Kick, Bounce and Bat|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4YXTQxelfmYC&pg=PT65|access-date=February 18, 2014|date=May 3, 2011|publisher=[[Penguin Group]]|isbn=978-1-101-51487-0|page=65|quote=Comedian Rosie O'Donnell made flinging Koosh Balls into her audience a staple on her talk show, which aired from 1996 to 2002.}}</ref> She also professed an infatuation with [[Tom Cruise]].<ref name=PeopleBio/>

With New York City as the show's home base, O'Donnell displayed her love of [[Broadway theatre|Broadway musicals]] and plays by having cast members as guests, encouraging the audience to see shows, premiering production numbers as well as promoting shows with ticket giveaways.

After the [[Columbine High School massacre|Columbine shootings]], O'Donnell became an outspoken supporter of [[gun control]] and a major figure in the [[Million Mom March]].<ref name="Amy Paulson">{{cite news|last=Paulson |first=Amy |title='Million Mom March' organizers hope to spur congressional action on gun legislation |work=[[CNN]] |date=May 8, 2000 |url=http://edition.cnn.com/2000/ALLPOLITICS/stories/05/08/million.mom/index.html |access-date=February 18, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110124102228/http://edition.cnn.com/2000/ALLPOLITICS/stories/05/08/million.mom/index.html |archive-date=January 24, 2011 }}</ref> During the April 19, 1999, broadcast of her talk show, she stated, "You are not allowed to own a gun, and if you do own a gun, I think you should go to prison."<ref>{{cite web|last1=Gallant |first1=Paul |last2=Eisen |first2=Joanne |last3=Kopel |first3=Dave |title=Her Own Bodyguard |work=[[National Review]] |date=January 24, 2002 |url=http://old.nationalreview.com/kopel/kopelprint012402.html |access-date=February 18, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110810205722/http://old.nationalreview.com/kopel/kopelprint012402.html |archive-date=August 10, 2011 }}</ref> O'Donnell previously had remarked, "I don't personally own a gun, but if you are qualified, licensed and registered, I have no problem."<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Silverman|first=Stephen|title=A Bodyguard for Rosie's Kid|magazine=People|date=September 11, 1998|url=http://people.com/celebrity/a-bodyguard-for-rosies-kid/|access-date=July 20, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170826031954/http://people.com/celebrity/a-bodyguard-for-rosies-kid/|archive-date=August 26, 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref> In May 1999, a month after the Columbine shootings, O'Donnell interviewed [[Tom Selleck]], who was promoting ''[[The Love Letter (1999 film)|The Love Letter]]''. O'Donnell [[Interrogation|interrogated]] him about his recent unpaid commercial for the [[National Rifle Association of America]] (NRA) and questioned him about the NRA's position on the use of "[[assault weapons]]". She said at the end of the segment the conversation had "not gone the way I had hoped" and added "if you feel insulted by my questions, I apologize because it was not a personal attack. It was meant to bring up the subject as it is in the consciousness of so many today."<ref name="NRA Winning Team">{{cite web|title=TRANSCRIPT: Tom Selleck Visits "The Rosie O'Donnell Show"|publisher=NRA Winning Team|url=http://www.nrawinningteam.com/norosie.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19991004011259/http://nrawinningteam.com/norosie.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 4, 1999|access-date=July 11, 2007}}</ref><ref name="Otherone">{{cite web|author =Otherone|title=Transcript of Tom Selleck & Rosie O'Donnell's NRA Discussion|publisher=JLRweb|url =http://www.geocities.com/rofaq/nradebate.html|access-date=July 11, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080302075026/http://www.geocities.com/rofaq/nradebate.html |archive-date=March 2, 2008}}</ref> Ironically, O'Donnell at that time was a multi-million dollar paid spokesperson for 5 years for [[Kmart (United States)|Kmart]], which was the largest volume firearms retailer in the United States.<ref>{{cite web |title=ROSIE O'DONNELL CALLS IT QUITS WITH KMART |date=November 25, 1999 |url=https://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/fl-xpm-1999-11-25-9911250029-story.html |publisher=South Florida Sentinel |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210701160304/https://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/fl-xpm-1999-11-25-9911250029-story.html |archive-date=July 1, 2021 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=O'Donnell, NRA conflict over Kmart ads |date=August 20, 1999 |url=https://variety.com/1999/voices/columns/o-donnell-nra-conflict-over-kmart-ads-1117750581/ |work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210205000537/https://variety.com/1999/voices/columns/o-donnell-nra-conflict-over-kmart-ads-1117750581/ |archive-date=February 5, 2021 |url-status=live}}</ref> Around the same time, the cast from ''[[Annie Get Your Gun (musical)|Annie Get Your Gun]]'' was to appear on the show but refused O'Donnell's request to remove the line "I can shoot a partridge with a single cartridge" from the song "[[Anything You Can Do (song)|Anything You Can Do]]" and agreed to perform "My Defenses Are Down" instead.<ref name="Report: Lyrics Riled Rosie">{{cite news|title=Report: Lyrics Riled Rosie|work=People|date=March 1, 1999|url=http://people.com/celebrity/report-lyrics-riled-rosie/feed/|access-date=February 4, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170826030737/http://people.com/celebrity/report-lyrics-riled-rosie/feed/|archive-date=August 26, 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Later in 1999, O'Donnell discontinued her contract with Kmart as their spokeswoman, as gun enthusiasts complained that she should not be the spokesperson for the largest gun retailer. O'Donnell countered that Kmart sells hunting rifles, not handguns or assault weapons and does so legally, which she supports. Both Kmart and O'Donnell denied publicly that Kmart had terminated the contract.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Fink|first1=Mitchell|last2=Rubin|first2=Lauren|title=Rosie Sticks to Her Guns by Unloading Kmart Gig|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/archives/gossip/rosie-sticks-guns-unloading-kmart-gig-article-1.857102|access-date=February 15, 2014|newspaper=[[Daily News (New York)|Daily News]]|date=November 19, 1999|location=New York|archive-date=February 25, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140225133738/http://www.nydailynews.com/archives/gossip/rosie-sticks-guns-unloading-kmart-gig-article-1.857102|url-status=dead}}</ref> In May 2000, O'Donnell's bodyguard applied for a [[Carrying concealed weapon|concealed firearm permit]]. O'Donnell stated that the security firm contracted by [[Warner Bros.]] requested the gun. O'Donnell stated that because of threats, she and her family need protection.<ref name="J.A. Johnson Jr.">{{cite web|first=J. A. Jr.|last=Johnson|title=Request for gun by O'Donnell bodyguard raises concern|publisher=Southern Connecticut Newspaper|website=The Advocate Online|date=May 25, 2000|url=http://www.stamfordadvocate.com/Advocate/release/05-25-2000/article1.html|access-date=June 16, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000620145923/http://www.stamfordadvocate.com/Advocate/release/05-25-2000/article1.html |archive-date=June 20, 2000}}</ref>

After the [[September 11, 2001 attacks]], Broadway and tourism in New York City was down and many shows were in danger of closing. O'Donnell was among many in the entertainment field who encouraged viewers to visit and support the performing arts. She announced that she would donate 1 million dollars for aid in the rescue efforts and encouraged other celebrities and citizens alike to "give till it hurts".<ref>{{cite news|title=O'donnell donates $1 million in aid|url=http://amarillo.com/stories/2001/09/20/usn_millionin.shtml|access-date=February 18, 2014|newspaper=[[Amarillo Globe-News]]|date=September 20, 2001|agency=Associated Press|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140227155752/http://amarillo.com/stories/2001/09/20/usn_millionin.shtml|archive-date=February 27, 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref>

In 2002, she left her talk show.<ref>{{cite news|last=Williams|first=Jeannie|title=Rosie, coy on TV, 'comes out' on stage|url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/life/television/2002/2002-02-27-rosie.htm|access-date=February 18, 2014|newspaper=[[USA Today]]|date=February 27, 2002}}</ref> The show was replaced by ''[[The Caroline Rhea Show]]'', with comedian [[Caroline Rhea]], which ran for one additional season.

O'Donnell was a guest star on an episode of [[HBO]] show ''[[Curb Your Enthusiasm]]'' entitled "[[The Bowtie]]".<ref name="Staff">{{Cite web |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.-->  |date=March 23, 2020 |title=Every Episode of 'Curb Your Enthusiasm,' Ranked |url=https://www.theringer.com/tv/2020/3/23/21188827/curb-your-enthusiasm-episode-rankings-updated |access-date=April 26, 2022 |website=The Ringer |language=en}}</ref>

===2006–2007: ''The View''===
[[File:Rosie O'Donnell 2 by David Shankbone.jpg|thumb|O'Donnell at the 2008 [[Tribeca Film Festival]] premiere for the ''[[I Am Because We Are]]'' documentary, about the millions of orphans in the African country of [[Malawi]] who lost parents and siblings to HIV and AIDS.]]
In September 2006, O'Donnell replaced [[Meredith Vieira]] as a co-host and moderator of ''[[The View (U.S. TV series)|The View]]'', a daytime women-oriented talk show.<ref>{{cite news|last=Steinberg|first=Jacques|title=Rosie O'Donnell to Join the Cast of 'The View'|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/04/29/arts/television/29rosi.html|access-date=March 7, 2014|newspaper=The New York Times|date=April 29, 2006}}</ref> [[Star Jones]], a co-host on the show, quit, with some speculating Jones's conservative views would be in constant tension with O'Donnell's more liberal counterpoint. O'Donnell had also disputed Jones's route of rapid weight loss, alluding that it must have been through [[gastric bypass surgery]], rather than dieting and exercise alone as Jones had insisted, which also fed speculation about certain tension between the two. (Jones later confirmed that surgery was involved.) O'Donnell is credited with keeping the show's "[[word of mouth|buzz factor]] up".<ref name=buzz>[https://www.tvguide.com/tvshows/view/192276 "The Future of The View"] ''TV Guide'', June 3, 2006. Retrieved on June 5, 2007.</ref> She is also credited with making it more news-focused, though it still embraced the "fluff" of daytime TV talk shows (celebrities, fashion, and food).<ref>{{cite news|last=Tucker|first=Ken|title=The View Review|url=https://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20013740,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070304080122/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20013740,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 4, 2007|access-date=February 15, 2014|newspaper=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|date=March 2, 2007}}</ref> Despite an overall downward trend for most daytime broadcast shows, ratings rose by 27% during O'Donnell's first year on ''The View''.<ref name="TheViewRatings">{{cite news|last=Adalian|first=Josef|title=O'Donnell brings big ratings to 'The View'|url=https://variety.com/2006/scene/news/o-donnell-brings-big-ratings-to-the-view-1117955333/|access-date=February 15, 2014|newspaper=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|date=December 7, 2006}}</ref> The show was the fourth-most-watched in all of daytime in the key demographic of women ages 18–49 and scored record ratings in the total viewer category with an average of 3.4&nbsp;million viewers—up 15% versus the same time in 2005.<ref name="TheViewRatings"/> O'Donnell moderated the opening "Hot Topics" portion of the show, where news items were discussed. O'Donnell gave the show a more political slant, and she and fellow comic [[Joy Behar]] often gave strong opinions against former President Bush's [[Domestic policy of the George W. Bush administration|domestic]] and [[Foreign policy of the George W. Bush administration|foreign]] policies, including the [[Iraq War]]. As a conservative counterpoint, [[Elisabeth Hasselbeck]] would usually support the [[Presidency of George W. Bush#Major issues of presidency|Bush administration]]'s policies and the two would get into an adversarial give-and-take.

In November 2006, Rosie commented on [[Kelly Ripa]]'s complaints to [[Regis Philbin]] about guest co-host [[Clay Aiken]] on [[Live with Regis and Kelly]].  Kelly said she was angry at Aiken for jokingly putting his hand over her mouth during an interview segment.  Rosie told the other panelist on The View that Kelly made a homophobic comment about Clay.  Kelly was watching the segment and quickly called into the live segment to tell Rosie that Kelly's complaint about Aiken was not about homophobia; the issue was it is flu season.<ref>{{cite web |title=Kelly Ripa and Rosie O'Donnell Fuel Aiken Controversy |url=https://abcnews.go.com/GMA/story?id=2672565&page=1 |website=[[ABC News (United States)|ABC News]] |access-date=28 February 2025 |date=22 November 2006}}</ref>
Kelly has in the past placed her hand over Regis' mouth as a joke during non-flu season.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Wegner |first1=Stephanie |last2=McNeil |first2=Liz |title=Kelly Ripa on Her Complicated Relationship with Regis Philbin: 'There Were Good and Bad Days' |url=https://people.com/tv/kelly-ripa-on-her-complicated-relationship-with-regis-philbin/ |website=[[People (magazine)|People]] |access-date=28 February 2025 |date=26 September 2022}}</ref>

Encouraged by the show to be outspoken, O'Donnell sometimes provoked debate, at one time stating "radical Christianity is just as threatening as radical Islam."<ref>{{Cite news |date=December 23, 2006 |title=Ratings, conflict up with O'Donnell |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2006-dec-23-et-quick23.4-story.html |access-date=May 25, 2022 |newspaper=Los Angeles Times}}</ref> On the February 24, 2003, episode of [[Phil Donahue#MSNBC program|Phil Donahue's talk show]], O'Donnell referred to the [[sexual abuse scandal in the Catholic archdiocese of Boston]] resulting in $157&nbsp;million awarded to 983 claimants,<ref>{{cite news|last=Mozingo|first=Joe|title=Disagreements persist despite abuse settlement|url=https://articles.latimes.com/2007/jul/16/local/me-priests16/2|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150904042927/http://articles.latimes.com/2007/jul/16/local/me-priests16/2|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 4, 2015|access-date=March 7, 2014|newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]]|date=July 16, 2007}}</ref> stating "I hope the Catholic Church gets sued until the end of time. Maybe, you know, we can melt down some of the gold toilets in the Pope's [[Apostolic Palace|Vatican]] and pay off some of the lawsuits because, the whole tenet of living a Christ-like life, has been lost in Catholicism."<ref>{{Cite web |date=October 6, 2017 |title=2015: Rosie O'Donnell leaves 'The View' (Again) |url=https://www.out.com/entertainment/2017/10/06/2015-rosie-odonnell-leaves-view-again |access-date=May 25, 2022 |website=out.com}}</ref>

O'Donnell joked about communion rituals alongside co-host Behar's drunk priest comments.<ref>{{cite web|title='Scarborough Country' for October 2|publisher=[[NBC News]]|date=October 3, 2006|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna15117630|access-date=November 25, 2007}}</ref> On April 19, 2007, the panel discussed the [[Supreme Court of the United States]]'s ruling in ''[[Gonzales v. Carhart]]'', a decision upholding the [[Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act]]. O'Donnell cited a [[Florynce Kennedy]] quote, "If men could get pregnant abortion would be a [[sacrament]]" and asked [[rhetorical question|rhetorically]] "How many Supreme Court judges are Catholic?" and "How about [[separation of church and state]]?"<ref name="ABCAbortion">{{cite news|last=Crawford Greenburg|first=Jan|title=Abortion Ruling Sparks a Backlash for Catholic Justices|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/story?id=3071697&page=1&singlePage=true|access-date=March 7, 2014|newspaper=[[ABC News (United States)|ABC News]]|date=April 24, 2007}}</ref> Some conservative commentators deemed her statements "anti-Catholic bigotry" and suggested that such statements against other religions would not be tolerated.<ref name="ABCAbortion"/><ref>{{cite news|last=Zagano|first=Phyllis|title=Abortion debate brings anti-Catholicism into focus|newspaper=[[The Kansas City Star]]|date=April 27, 2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Reinhard|first=David|title=How many Supreme Court judges are Catholic?|url=https://www3.nd.edu/~newsinfo/pdf/2007_05_09_pdf/How%20Many%20Supreme%20Court%20Judges%20Are%20Catholic.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140308042013/https://www3.nd.edu/~newsinfo/pdf/2007_05_09_pdf/How%20Many%20Supreme%20Court%20Judges%20Are%20Catholic.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 8, 2014|access-date=March 7, 2014|newspaper=Idaho Mountain Express|date=May 9, 2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Out Of 'View' After A Year of Fireworks, Rambling Rosie's Hanging Up Her Coffee Cup|newspaper=[[Chicago Tribune]]|date=April 26, 2007|page=40}}</ref> O'Donnell's outspokenness and spontaneousness sometimes led to her views being recirculated by other media outlets, often surprising ''The View'' co-hosts including O'Donnell.<ref>{{cite news|last=Stanley|first=Alessandra|title=The Drama of Daytime: Friendships, Feuds and Fury|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/04/27/arts/television/27morn.html|access-date=March 7, 2014|newspaper=The New York Times|date=April 27, 2007}}</ref><ref name="MediaVillage">{{cite news|last=Martin|first=Ed|title=Rosie O'Donnell Says Viewers Should Look Outside the U.S. for Their News|url=http://www.mediavillage.com/jmentr/2007/03/29/jmer1-03-29-07/|access-date=March 7, 2014|newspaper=Media Village|date=March 29, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081209090133/http://www.mediavillage.com/jmentr/2007/03/29/jmer1-03-29-07/ |archive-date=December 9, 2008}}</ref><ref>"Hot Topics", ''The View'', December 4, 2006.</ref> Frequently portrayed unfavorably by conservative media outlets and what she deemed as [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] [[Pundit (expert)|pundits]],<ref name="May 23">"Hot Topics", ''The View'', May 23, 2007.</ref> O'Donnell lamented that they were focusing on her comments instead of more important national and world issues.<ref name="MediaVillage"/>

On December 5, 2006, O'Donnell used a series of [[ching chong]]s to imitate newscasters in China.<ref>{{cite news|last=Kelly|first=Liz|title=Timeline: A Brief Compendium of Rosie Quotes|date=April 25, 2007|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|url=http://voices.washingtonpost.com/celebritology/2007/04/timeline_a_brief_compendium_of_1.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121005175317/http://voices.washingtonpost.com/celebritology/2007/04/timeline_a_brief_compendium_of_1.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 5, 2012|access-date=March 15, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Asian Leaders Angered by Rosie O'Donnell's 'Ching Chong' Comments|first=Sara|last=Bonisteel|url=https://www.foxnews.com/story/asian-leaders-angered-by-rosie-odonnells-ching-chong-comments|work=Fox News|date=December 11, 2006|access-date=August 28, 2010 |quote="The View" co-host is in hot water for using the expression "ching chong" to describe Chinese people talking about Danny DeVito's drunken appearance on her show.}}</ref> Vanessa Hua of the ''[[San Francisco Chronicle]]'' expressed disappointment in O'Donnell, given the comedian's championing of [[LGBT rights]].<ref name=odonnell_apologizes>{{cite news|title=O'Donnell apologizes for Chinese parody / But comedian warns she is likely to spoof languages again|first=Vanessa|last=Hua|url=https://www.sfgate.com/news/article/O-Donnell-apologizes-for-Chinese-parody-But-2465454.php|newspaper=[[San Francisco Chronicle]]|date=December 15, 2006|access-date=August 28, 2010|quote=Spoofing a language belittles the people who speak it, her critics said. It also was disappointing to hear such insensitivity from O'Donnell, who has championed gay and lesbian rights and attacked others for being homophobic, they said.|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130104163724/http://articles.sfgate.com/2006-12-15/news/17323548_1_asian-americans-chinese-americans-danny-devito|archive-date=January 4, 2013}}</ref> On December 14, O'Donnell apologized to those she offended, explaining that "Some people have told me it's as bad as the [[Nigger|n-word]]. I was like, really? I didn't know that."<ref>{{cite news|title=Rosie Apologizes for Asian Joke on The View|first=Stephen M.|last=Silverman|url=https://people.com/celebrity/rosie-apologizes-for-asian-joke-on-the-view/|magazine=People|date=December 14, 2006|access-date=August 28, 2010}}</ref> O'Donnell warned that "there's a good chance I'll do something like that again, probably in the next week, not on purpose. Only 'cause it's how my brain works." ''[[Time (magazine)|Time]]'' called it a "pseudo-apology".<ref name=odonnell_apologizes/><ref>{{cite news|title=Apologies: a Great Tradition|magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time.com]]|url=http://www.time.com/time/specials/2007/apologies/article/0,28804,1602994_1608522_1608584,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070415035105/http://www.time.com/time/specials/2007/apologies/article/0,28804,1602994_1608522_1608584,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 15, 2007|access-date=March 15, 2011|date=April 10, 2007}}</ref> O'Donnell later wrote in ''Celebrity Detox'' that "I wish I had been a bit more pure in my public apology."<ref name="FameGame">{{cite book|last=O'Donnell|first=Rosie|title=Celebrity Detox: (The Fame Game)|url=https://archive.org/details/celebritydetoxfa00odon|url-access=registration|access-date=March 8, 2014|date=October 9, 2007|publisher=[[Grand Central Publishing]]|isbn=978-0-446-19993-3|pages=[https://archive.org/details/celebritydetoxfa00odon/page/81 81], 130–133}}</ref>

In December 2006, O'Donnell criticized [[Donald Trump]] for holding a press conference to reinstate Miss USA [[Tara Conner]], who had violated pageant guidelines, accusing him of using her scandal to "generate publicity for the [[Miss USA Pageant]]" (to which he owns the rights) by announcing he was giving her a second chance.<ref>{{cite news|last=Grossberg|first=Josh|title=Trump Wants His MTV|url=http://au.eonline.com/news/55443/trump-wants-his-mtv|access-date=March 8, 2014|newspaper=E! Online|date=June 20, 2007}}</ref><ref name="Lauer2007">{{cite news|last=Lauer|first=Matt|title=Confessions of a beauty queen|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/16908534/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131216011209/http://www.nbcnews.com/id/16908534/|url-status=dead|archive-date=December 16, 2013|access-date=March 8, 2014|publisher=[[NBC News]]|date=February 4, 2007|author-link=Matt Lauer}}</ref> O'Donnell commented that due to Trump's multiple marital affairs and questionable business bankruptcies, he was not a [[moral authority]] for young people in America. She stated, "Left the first wife, had an affair. Left the second wife, had an affair – but he's the moral compass for 20-year-olds in America."<ref name="Lauer2007"/> In response, Trump began a "vicious" mass media blitz in which he appeared on various television shows, either in person or by phone, threatening to sue O'Donnell (he never did).<ref name="Maureen Ryan">{{cite news|last=Ryan|first=Maureen|title=Rosie O'Donnell bids adieu to 'The View'|newspaper=Chicago tribune|date=April 27, 2007|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/2007/04/27/rosie-odonnell-bids-adieu-to-the-view/|access-date=July 13, 2007}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> He called her names, threatened to take away her partner Kelli, and claimed that Barbara Walters regretted hiring her.<ref name="Maureen Ryan"/><ref>{{cite news|last=Silverman|first=Stephen M.|title=Rosie Speaks Out on The View|url=http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20005257,00.html|access-date=March 8, 2014|newspaper=People|date=December 21, 2006|archive-date=December 16, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131216002941/http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20005257,00.html|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.q-notes.com/editorial/editorsnote_011307.html|title=Q-Notes Online|work=q-notes.com|access-date=November 13, 2007|archive-date=November 20, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081120040019/http://www.q-notes.com/editorial/editorsnote_011307.html|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="Walters2007">{{cite news|last=Silverman|first=Stephen|title=Barbara Walters: I Don't Regret Hiring Rosie|work=People|date=January 3, 2007|url=http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20005940,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070104225740/http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20005940,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 4, 2007|access-date=July 13, 2007}}</ref> Walters was stuck in the middle as a social acquaintance of Trump's, and said O'Donnell did not feel like Walters defended her enough, which led to what both women agreed was an unfortunate confrontation in one of the dressing rooms.<ref name="rono"/> "I had pain and hurt and rejection," O'Donnell said, "sometimes [my emotions] overwhelm me. Sometimes I get flooded."<ref name="rono"/> Walters denied that she was unhappy with O'Donnell, saying, "I have never regretted, nor do I now, the hiring of Rosie O'Donnell."<ref name="Walters2007"/>

On April 25, 2007, ABC announced that O'Donnell would be leaving the show before the end of the year because of a failure to reach agreement on a new contract.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.foxnews.com/story/2007/04/25/rosie-odonnell-leaving-view-after-contract-negotiations-fail/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130512234637/http://www.foxnews.com/story/2007/04/25/rosie-odonnell-leaving-view-after-contract-negotiations-fail/|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 12, 2013|title=Rosie O'Donnell Leaving 'The View' After Contract Negotiations Fail|work=Fox News | date=April 25, 2007}}</ref>

O'Donnell condemned many of the Bush administration's policies, especially the [[war in Iraq]] and the resulting [[military occupation|occupation]].<ref name="burned up">{{cite news|last=O'Donnell|first=Rosie|title=Burned Up and Burned Out by Politics|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/rosie-odonnell/burned-up-and-burned-out-_b_84868.html|access-date=March 8, 2014|newspaper=[[The Huffington Post]]|date=February 4, 2008}}</ref> She also questioned the official explanation for the destruction of the World Trade Center, and stating in one episode, "I do believe that it's the [[World Trade Center controlled demolition conspiracy theories|first time in history that fire has ever melted steel]]".<ref>Nizza, Mike (May 16, 2007). [http://thelede.blogs.nytimes.com/2007/05/16/rosie-odonnells-911-question/ "Rosie O'Donnell's 9/11 Question"]. ''[[The New York Times]]''.</ref><ref>[http://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/engineering/4213805 "Rosie O'Donnell 9/11 Conspiracy Comments: Popular Mechanics Responds"]. ''[[Popular Mechanics]]''. October 1, 2009.</ref> She consistently mentioned recent military deaths and news about the war and criticized the U.S. media for its lack of attention to these issues compared to media coverage throughout the world. This led to a series of heated exchanges with co-host Hasselbeck, as well as "the most-discussed moment of her professional life."<ref name="rono"/> On May 17, 2007, O'Donnell rhetorically asked, "[[Lancet surveys of Iraq War casualties|655,000 Iraqi civilians dead]]. Who are the terrorists? ... if you were in [[Iraq]] and another country, the United States, the richest in the world, invaded your country and killed 655,000 of your citizens, what would you call us?"<ref name=us>{{cite news|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna18739523|title='Scarborough Country' for May 17|date=May 18, 2007|publisher=MSNBC|access-date=August 23, 2007|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071117063829/http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/18739523/|archive-date=November 17, 2007}} (Transcript)</ref> Conservative commentators criticized O'Donnell's statements, saying that she was comparing American soldiers to terrorists.<ref name="May 23"/> On May 23, 2007, a heated discussion ensued, in part, because of what O'Donnell perceived as Elisabeth Hasselbeck's unwillingness to defend O'Donnell from the criticisms; O'Donnell asked Hasselbeck, "Do you believe I think our troops are terrorists?" Hasselbeck answered in the negative but also stated "Defend your own insinuations."<ref name="May 23"/><ref>{{cite news|last=Orloff|first=Brian|title=Elisabeth Hasselbeck, Rosie O'Donnell Square Off|url=http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20039945,00.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130111091243/http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20039945,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 11, 2013|access-date=March 8, 2014|newspaper=People|date=May 23, 2007}}</ref><ref name=terrorists>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ek1K6TYssa4| archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211030/Ek1K6TYssa4| archive-date=October 30, 2021|title= Rosie O'Donnell VS Elisabeth Hasselbeck on The View 5/23/07| date=May 23, 2007|publisher=YouTube|access-date=August 23, 2007}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref name="Countdown with Keith O">{{cite web|last=Olbermann|first=Keith|title=Countdown with Keith Olbermann for May 23|work=CNN|date=May 24, 2007|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna18842749|access-date=February 4, 2008}}</ref> O'Donnell was hurt and felt Hasselbeck had betrayed her friendship: "there's something about somebody being different on TV toward you than they are in the dressing room. It didn't really ring true for me."<ref name="rono">[http://www.oprah.com/oprahshow/Rosie-ODonnell-on-Life-Love-and-Family/print/1 Rosie O'Donnell on Life, Love and Family]{{Dead link|date=May 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}, ''The Oprah Winfrey Show'', January 25, 2010.</ref> O'Donnell stated that Republican pundits were mischaracterising her statements and the right-wing media would portray her as a bully, attacking "innocent pure Christian Elisabeth" whenever they disagreed.<ref name="May 23"/> O'Donnell decided to leave the show that day, but afterwards stated that the reason was not the argument itself, but rather the fact that she saw on the studio monitor that the camera had shown a [[split screen (filmmaking)|split screen]], with her and Hasselbeck on either side. O'Donnell felt that the show's director and producer "had to prepare that in advance ... I felt there was setup egging me into that position. The executive producer and I did not gel."<ref name="rono"/> O'Donnell and [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] agreed to cut short her contract agreement on May 25, 2007.<ref>{{cite news|last=Steinberg|first=Jacques|title=O'Donnell Leaving 'The View' 3 Weeks Early|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/25/arts/television/25cnd-rosie.html?hp|access-date=March 8, 2014|newspaper=The New York Times|date=May 25, 2007}}</ref> [[ABC News (United States)|ABC News]] reported that her arguments with Hasselbeck brought the show its best ratings ever.<ref>ABC ''[[Eyewitness News]]''; May 28, 2007.</ref> O'Donnell was replaced by [[Whoopi Goldberg]] as the moderator of ''The View''.

In May 2007, ''Time'' magazine included O'Donnell in their annual list of the [[Time 100|100 most influential people]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.time.com/time/specials/2007/time100/article/0,28804,1595326_1595332_1616693,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070505053011/http://www.time.com/time/specials/2007/time100/article/0,28804,1595326_1595332_1616693,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 5, 2007|magazine=Time|title=The Time 100|date=May 3, 2007|access-date=May 22, 2010|first=Barbara|last=Walters}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Freydkin|first=Donna|title=Rosie O'Donnell is ready to 'Live' a little on variety show|date=November 27, 2008|newspaper=[[USA Today]]|url= https://www.usatoday.com/life/television/news/2008-11-25-rosie-live_N.htm|access-date=March 16, 2011}}</ref> O'Donnell was named "The Most Annoying Celebrity of 2007" by a ''[[Parade (magazine)|PARADE]]'' reader's poll, in response she said, "Frankly, most celebrities are annoying ... and I suppose I am the most annoying, but, whatever."<ref name="annoying poll">{{cite news|title=Rosie Responds to 'Most Annoying' Title|url=http://news.aol.com/entertainment/television/tv-news-story/ar/_a/rosie-named-most-annoying-celebrity/20071228151209990003|access-date=March 8, 2014|newspaper=[[AOL News]]|date=January 1, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080101163552/http://news.aol.com/entertainment/television/tv-news-story/ar/_a/rosie-named-most-annoying-celebrity/20071228151209990003 |archive-date=January 1, 2008}}</ref>

In 2008, ''The View'' won an Emmy for "Outstanding Special Class Writing" for a specially themed [[Autism]] episode that O'Donnell helped create. [[Janette Barber]], O'Donnell's longtime friend and producer/writer of ''The Rosie O'Donnell Show'', accepted the award on behalf of herself and the other two winners, Christian McKiernan and Andrew Smith.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.emmyonline.org/mediacenter/daytime_35th_creative_winners.html|title=The Emmy Awards – Daytime Entertainment Emmy Awards – Creative Winners|work=emmyonline.org}}</ref><ref>{{cite AV media|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wPB1yrVdFT4| archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211030/wPB1yrVdFT4| archive-date=October 30, 2021|title=The View Writers Win 2008 Emmy Award!|date=June 14, 2008|work=YouTube}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

===2007–2012: ''The Rosie Show'' and blog ===
In March 2007, O'Donnell started a video blog, ''[[Jahero]]'', on her website Rosie.com answering fans questions, giving behind the scenes information and serving as a video diary. Originally featuring only O'Donnell and her hair and makeup artist [[Helene Macaulay]] they were soon joined by her writer from ''The Rosie O'Donnell Show'', [[Janette Barber]].<ref name="Rosie's 'View' Re">{{cite news|title=Rosie's "View" Review: Too Bad It's Beige|work=TMZ|date=September 5, 2007|url=https://www.tmz.com/2007/09/05/rosies-view-review-too-bad-its-beige/|access-date=February 20, 2008}}</ref> Called ''Jahero'', a name composed of the first two letters of each of their first names, they occasionally had short cameo appearances by ''View'' co-hosts Joy Behar, Elisabeth Hasselbeck, and Barbara Walters. [[Jenny McCarthy]] appeared once briefly, as has Hasselbeck's mother-in-law and O'Donnell's mother-in-law, her (now) ex-wife Kelli's mother. [[Kathy Griffin]] also appeared, where she read some of the questions. It became so popular that O'Donnell and her creative team considered an "on the road" version of the video blog using fan-submitted suggestions. O'Donnell was the front runner for the "best celebrity blogger" category in the 2007 Blogger's Choice Awards which she won.<ref name="Whitney Matheson">{{cite news|last=Matheson |first=Whitney |title=Pop Candy: As if you don't read enough blogs ...|newspaper=[[USA Today]] |date=April 26, 2007 |url=http://blogs.usatoday.com/popcandy/2007/04/as_if_you_dont_.html |access-date=July 11, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070702231006/http://blogs.usatoday.com/popcandy/2007/04/as_if_you_dont_.html |archive-date=July 2, 2007 }}</ref>

O'Donnell expressed interest in replacing long time host [[Bob Barker]] when he retired from [[CBS]]'s game show ''[[The Price Is Right (U.S. game show)|The Price Is Right]]''. Barker was a frequent guest on her talk show and told reporters that she "would make a fine host". Although it was reported he had "endorsed" her as a "possible successor", Barker said that he had no role in choosing his replacement.<ref name="successor">{{cite news|last=Massey|first=Liz|title=Barker Says O'Donnell Could Replace Him|work=todaysthv.com|agency=Associated Press|date=June 18, 2007|url=http://www.todaysthv.com/news/story.aspx?storyid=47600|access-date=March 16, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/barker-remarks-not-a-rosie-endorsement/|work=CBS News|agency=Associated Press|title=Barker: Remarks not a Rosie endorsement|date=June 20, 2007|access-date=March 16, 2011}}</ref> In June 2007, she announced on her blog it was not going to happen and noted she was reluctant to uproot her family to move to California.

In 2008, O'Donnell starred in and executive produced ''[[America (2009 film)|America]]'', a [[Lifetime (TV network)|Lifetime channel]] film in which she plays the therapist of the title character, a 16-year-old boy [[aging out]] of the foster care system. The film is based on the [[E.R. Frank]] book of the same name.<ref>{{cite news|last=Eng|first=Joyce|title=Rosie O'Donnell Is Coming to America|url=https://www.tvguide.com/News/Rosie-Donnell-Star-27543.aspx|access-date=March 7, 2014|newspaper=[[TV Guide]]|date=October 22, 2008}}</ref> In October 2009, she appeared in the original cast of ''[[Love, Loss, and What I Wore]]''.<ref name=SA>{{cite news|url=http://theater.nytimes.com/2009/10/02/theater/reviews/02love.html|title=Spandex Agonistes: Why Don't You Try It On?|access-date=April 21, 2011|date=October 2, 2009|author=Isherwood, Charles|work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref>

In November 2009, "Rosie Radio", a daily two-hour show with O'Donnell discussing news and events on [[Sirius XM Radio]], premiered. O'Donnell said she was approached by the company after she appeared on [[Howard Stern]]'s Sirius XM show.<ref name="rtlrs">{{cite news|first=Adam|last=Bryant|title=Rosie to launch radio show|url=https://www.tvguide.com/News/Rosie-ODonnell-Radio-1007242.aspx|work=TV Guide Online|date=June 25, 2009|access-date=June 25, 2009}}</ref><ref name="OROGS">
[https://www.usatoday.com/life/people/2009-10-25-rosie-odonnell-radio_N.htm Outspoken Rosie O'Donnell gets serious about radio show] Ann Oldenburg, ''USA Today'', October 26, 2009.</ref> The radio show ended in June 2011. In 2009, O'Donnell made another guest appearance on ''[[Curb Your Enthusiasm]]'', where she beat up Larry twice, in an episode titled Denise Handicapped.<ref name="Staff"/>

In 2011, O'Donnell began producing material for the [[Oprah Winfrey Network (U.S. TV channel)|Oprah Winfrey Network]] (OWN). In May 2011, ''The Doc Club with Rosie O'Donnell'' premiered, a show where O'Donnell moderated live panel discussions following premieres of OWN Documentaries. She has hosted specials for ''Becoming Chaz'' in May 2011 and ''[[Miss Representation]]'' in October 2011. In fall 2011, O'Donnell began full-time work on her new show, ''[[The Rosie Show]]'', for OWN. The show taped at the Chicago studio formerly home to ''The Oprah Winfrey Show''. The show debuted on October 10, 2011, to generally positive reviews.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.oprah.com/spirit/OWN-Sneak-Preview-The-Rosie-ODonnell-Show#ixzz1ZU82zpPt|title=OWN Sneak Preview – The Rosie O'Donnell Show|publisher=Oprah.com|date=December 14, 2010|access-date=March 5, 2012}}</ref> OWN canceled ''The Rosie Show'' on March 16, 2012, with the last show taped March 20, on the eve of O'Donnell's 50th birthday. The final show aired on OWN on March 29, 2012. In a statement, Oprah Winfrey said: 
{{Blockquote|I thank Rosie from the bottom of my heart for joining me on this journey. She has been an incredible partner, working to deliver the best possible show every single day. As I have learned in the last 15 months, a new network launch is always a challenge and ratings grow over time as you continue to gather an audience. I'm grateful to Rosie and the dedicated Rosie Show team for giving it their all.<ref name="ZapFinale">{{cite news|last=Nelson|first=Liz Kelly|title=Rosie O'Donnell's OWN show canceled after 5 months|url=http://blog.zap2it.com/frominsidethebox/2012/03/rosie-odonnells-own-show-canceled-after-5-months.html|access-date=March 7, 2014|newspaper=[[Zap2it]]|date=March 16, 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140308013850/http://blog.zap2it.com/frominsidethebox/2012/03/rosie-odonnells-own-show-canceled-after-5-months.html|archive-date=March 8, 2014|df=mdy-all}}</ref>}}
O'Donnell responded to the cancellation by thanking her viewers and the host city of Chicago: 
{{Blockquote|I loved working with Oprah in the amazing city of Chicago. I was welcomed with open arms and will never forget the kindness of all I encountered. It was a great year for me—I wish the show was able to attract more viewers—but it did not. So I am headed back to my home in New York—with gratitude. On we go!<ref name="ZapFinale"/>}}In 2011, O'Donnell made another guest appearance on [[Curb Your Enthusiasm]], competing for the affection of a bisexual woman with Larry in an episode called "[[The Bi-Sexual]]".<ref name="Staff"/><ref>{{Cite web |last=Evans |first=Bradford |date=August 22, 2011 |title=Curb Your Enthusiasm Recap: "The Bi-Sexual" |url=https://www.vulture.com/2011/08/curb-your-enthusiasm-recap-the-bi-sexual.html |access-date=April 26, 2022 |website=Vulture |language=en-us}}</ref>

===2013–2016: ''The Fosters'' and return to ''The View''===
In 2013, O'Donnell appeared in a number of television shows. First, she played "brash but astute" reporter Dottie Shannon in an episode of ''[[Bomb Girls]]'',<ref name="Szklarski">{{cite news|last1=Szklarski|first1=Cassandra|title=Rosie O'Donnell guests on Bomb Girls April 8|url=https://www.thestar.com/entertainment/television/2013/04/05/rosie_odonnell_guests_on_bomb_girls_april_8.html|access-date=November 11, 2016|work=The Star|date=April 5, 2013}}</ref> followed by playing the voice of the Bouncing Bumble Queen in ''[[Jake and the Never Land Pirates]]''.<ref name="Amanda Rock">{{cite news|last1=Rock|first1=Amanda|title=Popular Characters from Jake and the Never Land Pirates|url=https://www.verywell.com/popular-characters-from-jake-and-the-never-land-pirates-2765095|access-date=November 11, 2016|publisher=Very Well|date=June 9, 2016}}</ref> After that, also in 2013, she appeared in two episodes of ''[[Smash (TV series)|Smash]]'' as herself.<ref name="Smash huff post">{{cite news|title=Rosie O'Donnell Books 'Smash' Cameo|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/12/13/rosie-odonnell-smash_n_2294618.html|access-date=November 11, 2016|work=Huffington Post|date=December 13, 2012}}</ref> That same year she also appeared as herself in an episode of ''[[Impractical Jokers]]'' called "Everything's Rosie".<ref name="Steussy">{{cite news|last1=Steussy|first1=Lauren|title=Staten Island on 'The View': Impractical Jokers visit Rosie O'Donnell (notice the resemblance?)|url=http://www.silive.com/entertainment/index.ssf/2015/01/dopplegangers_unite_staten_isl.html|access-date=November 11, 2016|publisher=Silive|date=January 29, 2015}}</ref>

In 2014, O'Donnell landed a reoccurring role as Rita Hendricks on ''[[The Fosters (2013 TV series)|The Fosters]]'', "a tough yet compassionate woman who works for the foster care system and becomes a mentor to a member of the Foster family."<ref name="Goldberg The Fosters">{{cite news|last1=Goldberg|first1=Lesley|title=Rosie O'Donnell Joins ABC Family's 'The Fosters'|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/rosie-odonnell-joins-abc-familys-fosters-630547|access-date=November 11, 2016|work=The Hollywood Reporter|date=September 17, 2013}}</ref> The character lasted through their 2016 season.<ref name="The Fosters">{{cite news|last1=Aguilera|first1=Leanne|title=EXCLUSIVE: Rosie O'Donnell Is Back on 'The Fosters' and She Calls Callie Out on Her 'Teenager' Behavior!|url=http://www.etonline.com/tv/182626_exclusive_rosie_o_donnell_is_back_on_the_fosters_and_she_calls_callie_out_on_her_teenager_behavior/|access-date=November 11, 2016|publisher=ET Online|date=February 19, 2016}}</ref>

In the fall of 2014, O'Donnell returned to ''The View'' as a co-host, with a newly re-vamped version of the show, along with [[Whoopi Goldberg]] returning as moderator and new co-hosts [[Rosie Perez]] and [[Nicolle Wallace]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/tv/rosie-o-donnell-confirmed-return-view-article-1.1861945|title=Rosie O'Donnell confirmed to return to 'The View' as co-host|first=Cristina|last=Everett|newspaper=New York Daily News|date=July 10, 2014|access-date=July 10, 2014}}</ref> On February 6, 2015, representatives for O'Donnell confirmed she would once again exit the panel. In a statement, made to ''[[The Hollywood Reporter]]'', O'Donnell said, "[My health] got a little bit worse right before the holidays — [my doctor] was kind of concerned. ... I can't really fix [my personal life] right away, but I can fix [my job]."<ref>{{cite news|last1=Lewis|first1=Hilary|last2=Gajewski|first2=Ryan|title=Rosie O'Donnell Explains Why She's Leaving 'The View'|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/view-rosie-odonnell-explains-why-771118|access-date=February 8, 2015|agency=[[Prometheus Global Media]]|work=The Hollywood Reporter|date=February 7, 2015|location=United States}}</ref>

In 2015, O'Donnell made a cameo in ''[[Pitch Perfect 2]]'', playing a co-host on ''The View''. Deadline called the cameo "a bit that already seems dated."<ref name="Pitch Perfect 2">{{cite magazine|last1=Hammond|first1=Pete|title='Pitch Perfect 2' Review: Anna Kendrick And Crew Have Something To Sing About – A Fun Sequel|url=https://deadline.com/2015/05/pitch-perfect-2-review-anna-kendrick-elizabeth-banks-rebel-wilson-1201425265/|access-date=November 11, 2016|magazine=Deadline|date=May 13, 2015}}</ref> That same year, she appeared in an episode of ''[[Empire (2015 TV series)|Empire]]'', playing Pepper O'Leary, "a tough criminal who shared a cell for years with Cookie Lyon."<ref name="Empire Fox">{{cite news|title=Rosie O'Donnell goes from 'Empire' fan to guest star|url=https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/rosie-odonnell-goes-from-empire-fan-to-guest-star|access-date=November 11, 2016|work=Fox News|date=November 25, 2015}}</ref> In preparation for the role, she hired an acting coach and stated, "I prepared for this like I've never prepared for anything in my career, because I didn't want to disappoint and I understood the pace at which they work."<ref name="Empire Fox" /> O'Donnell also appeared as herself in two documentaries that same year. In April 2015, ''Roseanne For President!'' was released, a film about [[Roseanne Barr]]'s presidential bid in 2012. O'Donnell appeared in the film alongside [[Michael Moore]] and [[Sandra Bernhard]].<ref name="Murthi">{{cite news|last1=Murthi|first1=Vikram|title='Roseanne for President!' Trailer: A 'Serious' Comedian Runs For President|url=https://www.indiewire.com/2016/06/roseanne-for-president-trailer-barr-michael-moore-rosie-odonnell-1201690045/|access-date=November 12, 2016|work=Indie Wire|date=June 17, 2016}}</ref> In September 2015, the documentary ''Everything Is Copy'' was released, a film by Jacob Bernstein about his mother [[Nora Ephron]]. O'Donnell appeared in the documentary to help "bring his mother into focus" along with a number of other celebrities.<ref name="Documentary Variety">{{cite magazine|last1=Berkshire|first1=Geoff|title='Everything Is Copy': Jacob Bernstein Talks Nora Ephron's Legacy and His Documentary Debut|url=https://variety.com/2016/tv/news/everything-is-copy-nora-ephron-documentary-jacob-bernstein-1201735352/|access-date=November 12, 2016|magazine=Variety|date=March 21, 2016}}</ref>

In 2016, O'Donnell made a two-episode appearance in the CBS series ''[[Mom (TV series)|Mom]]'', playing Jeanine, "the ex-girlfriend of Bonnie ([[Allison Janney]])".<ref name="Rice">{{cite magazine|last1=Rice|first1=Lynette|title=Mom is bringing back Rosie O'Donnell|url=https://www.ew.com/article/2016/08/06/mom-rosie-odonnell-allison-janney-cbs|access-date=November 11, 2016|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|date=August 6, 2016}}</ref> That same year, she was also a regular panelist on ''[[Match Game]]'' and appeared in one episode of ''[[The $100,000 Pyramid]]'', where she competed against [[Kathy Najimy]].<ref name="ABC pyramid">{{cite news|title=S1 E10 Jon Lovitz vs Deion Sanders and Rosie O'Donnell vs Kathy Najimy|url=http://abc.go.com/shows/the-100000-pyramid/episode-guide/season-1/10-episode-10|access-date=November 11, 2016|publisher=ABC|date=September 12, 2016}}</ref> Later that year, O'Donnell also played the role of the gym teacher in ''[[Hairspray Live!]]''<ref name="Snetiker">{{cite magazine|last1=Snetiker|first1=Marc|title=Rosie O'Donnell, Sean Hayes join cast of Hairspray Live!|url=https://www.ew.com/article/2016/08/02/hairspray-live-cast|access-date=November 11, 2016|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|date=August 2, 2016}}</ref>

=== 2017–present: Return to acting ===
In November 2016, [[Showtime (TV network)|Showtime]] announced she had joined the cast of the comedy pilot ''[[SMILF]]''.<ref name="Wagmeister">{{cite news|last1=Wagmeister|first1=Elizabeth|title=Rosie O'Donnell Joins Showtime's Comedy Pilot 'SMILF'|url=https://www.yahoo.com/tv/rosie-o-donnell-joins-showtime-comedy-pilot-smilf-180257320.html|access-date=November 11, 2016|publisher=Yahoo|date=November 9, 2016}}</ref> The series aired from November 5, 2017, until March 31, 2019, and O'Donnell received critical acclaim for her portrayal of Tutu. On April 3, 2019, it was announced that O'Donnell would play the role of Lisa Sheffer in the HBO series ''[[I Know This Much Is True (miniseries)|I Know This Much Is True]]''.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Yang|first1=Rachel|title=Melissa Leo, Rosie O'Donnell Among Cast Added to Mark Ruffalo's 'I Know This Much Is True'|url=https://variety.com/2019/tv/news/melissa-leo-rosie-odonnell-joins-ruffalo-i-know-this-much-is-true-hbo-1203179692/|access-date=April 8, 2019|publisher=Yahoo|date=April 3, 2019}}</ref>

In 2021, O'Donnell guest starred on the series ''[[Run the World (TV series)|Run the World]]'' and ''[[The L Word: Generation Q]]''. On June 15, 2021, it was announced that she would star as Detective Sunday, alongside Jon Bernthal, in a series reboot of ''[[American Gigolo (TV series)|American Gigolo]]'' on Showtime, premiering in 2022.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Petski|first1=Denise|title='American Gigolo' Reboot Starring Jon Bernthal Gets Showtime Series Order|url=https://deadline.com/2021/06/american-gigolo-jon-bernthal-showtime-series-order-1234775778/|access-date=August 3, 2021|publisher=Yahoo|date=June 15, 2021}}</ref> In 2022 she voiced the role of the MTA subway announcements in the second season of [[Netflix]] series ''[[Russian Doll (TV series)|Russian Doll]]'' starring [[Natasha Lyonne]].<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/rosie-odonnell-russian-doll-cameo-1235135647/|title= Natasha Lyonne on Landing Rosie O'Donnell for Secret Cameo in 'Russian Doll'|website= [[The Hollywood Reporter]]|date= April 30, 2022|accessdate= August 9, 2023}}</ref> That same year she appeared as Vi in the [[Amazon Prime Video]] series ''[[A League of Their Own (2022 TV series)|A League of Their Own]]'' (2022).<ref>{{cite magazine|url= https://ew.com/tv/rosie-odonnell-a-league-of-their-own-tv-show-first-look/|title= See Rosie O'Donnell's return in A League of Their Own TV show|magazine= [[Entertainment Weekly]]|accessdate= August 9, 2023}}</ref>