The Rosie Show: Rosie O'Donnell's 'promising' new talk show debut

The Queen of Nice arrives at the Oprah Winfrey Network as the fledgling channel struggles for ratings. Can Rosie save the day?

Rosie O'Donnell's new show debuted Monday on OWN, and while it may have included some cringe-worthy jokes, it's also being welcomed as a strong follow-up to her successful '90s talk show.
(Image credit: Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images)

It's been a rocky road for Rosie O'Donnell since her daytime hit The Rosie O'Donnell Show went off the air in 2002 after six seasons. O'Donnell returned to daytime TV briefly in 2006, with a tumultuous stint co-hosting The View that ended prematurely after an on-air feud with fellow host Elisabeth Hasselbeck. O'Donnell's high-profile (and expensive) attempt to launch a primetime variety show in 2008 tanked so badly that it was canceled after one episode. Now, O'Donnell is back, this time at the floundering Oprah Winfrey Network, which is suffering disappointing ratings. The Rosie Show debuted Monday, and featured stand-up comedy, a Broadway-style dance number, a lengthy interview with comedian Russell Brand, and a surprise appearance by Winfrey herself. How did the "promising" show fare with critics?

"Welcome back, Rosie": O'Donnell's new show is reminiscent of the best elements of her hit '90s series, says Michael Musto at The Village Voice. But if anything, it's even better this time around. For one, the host "mixes more salty realness into her positive stew." She's also learned not to "waste one second of airtime." By the time she finished her stand-up, audience interaction segment, and splashy musical number, "we'd gotten enough entertainment value for a whole week of talk shows" — and the episode wasn't even half over. Rosie's "new show is fabulous."

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