Rosie O’Donnell Was ‘Surprised’ by Jimmy Kimmel’s Guest-Hosting Offer and Believes a David Ellison-Run CNN Would Be ‘Tragic’
Rosie O’Donnell is finally back behind the talk-show desk. Yes, the former host of “The Rosie O’Donnell Show” and “The View” will be serving as guest host of “Jimmy Kimmel Live” the week of Aug. 17 while Kimmel is on vacation (as part of his summer rotation). He said he’d tapped
Rosie O'Donnell's return to late-night TV as guest host of "Jimmy Kimmel Live" is a surprise move, but not entirely unexpected given her history in daytime talk shows. Her stint on "The View" ended abruptly in 2015, and she's been relatively quiet in the TV hosting space since. This guest-hosting gig marks a chance for her to dip her toes back into the late-night waters and connect with a new audience.
The timing of this announcement is also noteworthy, as it comes on the heels of speculation about the future of CNN under potential new ownership. O'Donnell's comments about a David Ellison-run CNN being "tragic" suggest she's keeping a close eye on industry developments. Ellison, the son of billionaire filmmaker Ron Howard, has been rumored as a potential buyer of the network. O'Donnell's remarks imply that she values the current editorial direction of CNN and is concerned about the potential impact of new leadership on the network's programming and tone.
As for what's next, keep an eye on how O'Donnell's guest-hosting stint on "Jimmy Kimmel Live" performs ratings-wise and whether it sparks renewed interest in her hosting career. Additionally, the drama surrounding CNN's potential new ownership and the implications for its programming and talent will continue to be a story to watch in the media landscape. Will O'Donnell's return to late-night TV be a one-off, or a precursor to bigger things? And what will ultimately happen with CNN under potential new leadership?
Originally reported by variety.com. NewsAbroad adds analysis for culture, style & media readers.