No more Rosie for NBC.
Just before everyone in the United States was officially off for Thanksgiving break, one person still had a ton of work to do. Rosie O'Donnell got her chance to prove the variety show genre of TV's golden age wasn't dead on Wednesday, with the premiere of Rosie Live.
The show, which was broadcast live, was a test run to see if the idea had legs. If NBC was pleased with the results, it was thinking of turning the special into a series.
So how did it do? Let's just say Rosie will have plenty of free time to blog in the near future.
Rosie Live gathered about 5 million viewers and a 1.2 rating/4 share in key demos--tying it for last place among the major networks, according to Variety. Sure, the day before Thanksgiving isn't exactly the best time to debut a program, but it was more than just the lack of eyeballs that made Rosie Live a failure. Online reports also state that the project is now officially dead, and hopefully will never be spoken of again.
Critics were ruthless in their write-ups of Rosie Live, bashing the special as if it were everything that was wrong with the world today.
The program featured guest stars Alec Baldwin and Jane Krakowski of 30 Rock, Liza Minnelli, Conan O'Brien, Clay Aiken, and Harry Connick Jr., but the general consensus was that the singing-and-dancing routines, monologues, and sketches just weren't funny, and even her fans concur.
Are we past the variety show age? Duh, of course we are. Did any of you out there see it? What did you think?
Comments (46)
Alec Baldwin and Jane Krakowski of 30 Rock, Liza Minnelli, Conan O'Brien, Clay Aiken, and Harry Connick Jr. just sent Rosie a letter asking for those hours of their lives back.
The Donald gets 2 hours and Rosie is Dead?? Does this in any way smack of a contrived- set-up to fail- situation (day before Thanksgiving?)? hopefully Rosie will bounce back with a talk show ala Mike Douglas w/entertainment on the side. I think her socio-political views are needed.
Gee I'm shocked they didn't sign it as a series, especially with NBC now standing for: Nothing But Crap
Gee, a variety show failed on broadcast TV? Who would have thought? Hmmm....everybody!
But seriously, who thought this was a grand idea. I love Rosie (especially on Nip/Tuck), but variety shows just don't work. And The Osbournes will get the next chance to prove it soon with their variety show on FOX.
The best variety show was Viva Variety. I don't know if anybody remembers that one, but it starred the two main cops from Reno 911! It was hilarious.
I DISAGREE. i DONT THINK IT HAS ANYTHING TO DO WITH THE TYPE OF SHOW PER SE AND EVERYTHING TO DO WITH THE FACT THAT IT WAS ROSIE O'DONNELL. SHE *IS* PART OF WHAT IS WRONG WITH AMERICA.... TOO MANY BIG MOUTHS WITH MONEY FLAPPING THEIR GUMS BUT SAYING NOTHING. I FOR ONE CARE LESS THAN NOTHING OF HER OPINIONS. SHES LIKE A LOUD ANNOYING FOG HORN..UGH!
I thought it was pretty much crap the Rosie Live variety show, I mean having Liza Minelli and Rosie do an opening number, I mean Rosie is a smart lady, her talk show was good to watch back in the day, she'll probably do something else and that'll probably fail too.
the last Variety show is saturday night live?
eh, i just think having rosie at night is a bad idea. it is usually watched by older women and they probably prefer other shows for primetime. but that's just my opinion.
NBC KILLS ROSIE... LIVE - RATINGS GO THROUGH THE ROOF! Now there's a show idea for you NBC execs.
Actually the Muppets hosted one of the days for The Today Show last month and also did a segment on Thanksgiving Day. So they're not dusty ;)
Yeah, I liked the idea of trying to resurrect the variety show. She just couldn't pull it off. I gave it a chance and it hurt my ears to hear Rosie try to sing! Awful! It was just super lame. I think it could still be possible with a better lead and better ideas of humor.
Why did anyone ever think this was a good idea? Maybe NBC should pick up Pushing Daisies. They're clearly desperate for programming, might as well grab one with an established, albeit small, audience.
She's been a foul human being for a LONG time. I couldn't believe someone actually wanted to put her on prime time television. Good riddance I say!
Sounds awful. Just as well it was put out of its misery.
I really was disappointed with this live show.... Good Idea but it was not a hit with me....
yea!
Not surprising you know the old saying be careful how you treat people on your way up ... what goes around comes around ... bite one's nose off to spite themselves ... just desserts ... saw this one coming a mile away.
Thank God!
Just what we need, another egomanic with their own show to promote how wonderful they are. I'll pass. I used to be a fan but she's out of control and I'm turned off.
I know I am not sorry to see it didn't make it.
I tivoed this and have not watched it yet so now I am thinking I might not even bother.
I think variety has evolved into more formatted variety such as talk shows, sketch comedies, news magazines, viral videos, and talent contests. Plus, it's Rosie. Only her fans want to see her be a host.
the only great variety show was the muppet show!
Why would anyone want to watch a variety show? Those things were horrible. Singing and dancing are for loosers. Why would I want to watch that on tv?
Variety TV shows are dead and Rosie was never the right person to try and resurrect them. Good riddance I say!
*happy dance*
Yeah this show was terrible, good riddance.
One and it stunk I mean dancing cakes "In Rosies Dreams" I gave her a chance she BLEW it sorry Rosie
How many episodes did it air?
Thank you!!
not surprised this show died already.
good we dont have to see her every week
Rosie might have worked on a daytime talkshow, but I'm surprised that they tried this one in primetime.
I saw about 20 minutes of it and all I can say is that NBC should be embarrassed for broadcasting this on the air. It was awful, Rosie was awful, I hope they bury it somewhere where no one will see it ever.
I would watch a variety show hosted by Miss Piggy too... But never ever Rosie.
I would rather watch a variety show hosted by Miss Piggy than Rosie. If she still desires to have another 15 minutes of fame, perhaps she should express her opinions via Youtube.
God a show with Rosie was a bad idea. I think it would have been better if Miss Piggy was hosting.
I enjoyed Ellen's big variety show on TBS over the weekend, I thought it was very well crafted, didn't watch Rosie's show though.
I flipped by the show and it looked terrible. I never really liked Rosie and I wonder why she keeps getting jobs. Well, I'm glad the show did not pick up.
Surely there are dusty Muppets hanging in a closet somewhere that would be far more entertaining ...
Didn't see it. Didn't want to. Didn't think it would do well, and it didn't. I think the variety-show age IS dead. There aren't any hosts around now that would even make it good.
Why do they keep giving that hog her own tv show?
Didn't hear of it. I think we are definitely past the variety show era of TV. It's all about reality now.....which is not necessarily a good thing, and scripted action and drama. That's of the good.
Haven't seen it, don't care
I didnt see the show, but Im not suprised. I dont know if the variety show is dead, but lets face it, this isnt 1950 anymore and most of the truly great acts are dead and gone. And the ones that are left arent interested in working cheaply. And Rosie O Donnell is no Jack Benny, Milton Berle or Jackie Gleason.
I watched part of Rosie Live and it was awful. I don't think we are past the variety show age. Someone just needs to create a good one.