Rosie O’Donnell will do her next talk show for OWN: The Oprah Winfrey Network, it was announced today. Scheduled to premiere in 2011, the talk show will be a daily one-hour show based in New York. It will air during the day and feature “fun” and “uplifting” content, the network promises.
“Rosie is an undeniable talent who has captivated TV audiences for nearly 20 years,” said Oprah Winfrey in a statement. “She’s a true original, who brings her authentic voice, dynamic energy and pure passion to everything she does.” Added O’Donnell, “It’s an honor and a privilege to work with Oprah Winfrey on her network. I’m excited to be back on daytime television.”
O’Donnell earned six Daytime Emmys for Outstanding Talk Show Host during her years on The Rosie O’Donnell Show from 1996 to 2002. In 2006, she replaced Meredith Vieira as co-host and moderator of The View.
In March, O’Donnell’s executive producer Scott Carlin spoke with EW about the proposed talk show and how O’Donnell was not trying to repeat what she accomplished on her syndicated yakker that helped her earn the nickname the Queen of Nice. “She’s already done a variety show and she was incredibly successful,” says Carlin, who helped to launch her first talk show while working at Warners. Instead, she wants to focus on single topics.
At the time, O’Donnell and her producers were setting their sights on the time slots that would open up once Oprah Winfrey left daytime in the fall of 2011. Since then, Winfrey’s spots have largely been gobbled up, either by local newcasts or Dr. Oz.
