Elisabeth Hasselbeck likely thought she was home-free when the judge in her copyright lawsuit threw out the case. But even at the time, he noted that it was only because plaintiff Susan Hassett’s (author of “Living with Celiac Disease”) lawyer hadn’t turned in required paperwork, thus he was dismissing it on a technicality. The judge also noted that, “while portions of Hassett’s dietary prose were definitely lifted for Hasselbeck’s book, the passages weren’t significant enough to warrant damages.” Which still leaves the door semi-open for a ferocious enough attorney to re-file the lawsuit, which is exactly what’s happened.

The woman who sued Elisabeth Hasselbeck for copyright infringement just won’t take no for an answer. TMZ has learned Susan Hassett just filed her second lawsuit over Hasselbeck’s book — “The G Free Diet” — even though a judge tossed out Hassett’s first suit earlier this month after her lawyer decided not to pursue the case.

Hassett — who claims Beck’s book is a rip-off of her own publication, “Living with Celiac Disease” — tells TMZ her original lawsuit was shot down because of a technicality … she failed to provide the necessary copyright information for “Living.”

Hassett’s new suit, which was filed today in federal court in Massachusetts, includes plenty of copyright info for “Living” … plus claims that Hasselbeck’s book is “misleading and dangerous” to those who suffer from Celiac disease.

Hassett once again wants the court to stop the presses on “G Free” and yank it from bookstores everywhere.

Calls to Hasselbeck’s people have not been returned.

[From TMZ]

What I find interesting about this case is that Hassett isn’t merely asking for punitive damages, she wants Hasselbeck’s book yanked from the shelves. If this were simply about money to her, I’d think she’d ask for a portion – or all of – the profits. Considering she says Hasselbeck’s book is actually dangerous to people with Celiac disease, wanting it off the shelves makes me think she legitimately cares about the information (or misinformation) that’s out there about the complicated chronic digestive issue.

Hassett’s “Living with Celiac Disease” isn’t ever going to make much money. She self-published the book, (and sent a copy to Hasselbeck, along with a personal note, after hearing her say on “The View” that she suffers from Celiac) and few people would ever have heard of it, were it not for Hasselbeck plagiarizing from it (here’s a breakdown of the nearly-identical parts of the books). She’d make a lot more money if she won a settlement that included letting Hasselbeck’s book stay on the shelves and gave her some of the profits. Considering that’s not what Hassett wants, if nothing else it shows that she actually cares about Celiac disease, whereas Hasselbeck seems to just care about putting her name on it.

Elisabeth Hasselbeck talked herself into some pretty big trouble on “The View” yesterday. While talking about the Mumbai massacre, she made an offensive reference to Deepak Chopra. Chopra is a popular Indian medical doctor who’s focused much of his writing on spirituality. He was recently interviewed by CNN and said the terrorists in Mumbai were trying to get Washington’s attention. Hasselbeck’s response was to tell him to “Go light a bowl of incense.”

Though Elisabeth Hasselbeck has offended many during her tenure on The View, she’s never quite had what could be called, in the show parlance, a “Ching Chong” moment. So named for Rosie O’Donnell’s Asian language impression in which she shrieked, “Ching Chong Ching Chong!” and stopped just shy of declaring, “That was me, Rosie, playing an Oriental!” the gaffe is the type that incurs the wrath of an entire race, and Hasselbeck may have had her own in this morning’s episode.

While attempting to reference Deepak Chopra’s recent remarks on the Mumbai massacre (he implied the terrorists had an eye on America), a frustrated Hasselbeck first called him “Glitter Glasses Whatshisface,” and then, dismissing his comments as beneath her recognition, muttered, “Go light a bowl of incense.” Why stop there, Elisabeth? Tell those minorities how you really feel using the most stereotype-laden kiss-offs you can muster! If your stylist tries to dress you in another pirate shirt? “Oh, go take your AIDS pills!” Joy Behar got you down? Just say, “Whatsa matta, you-a? Something land in your spaghetti? Oh, what-a spicy meatball!” It’s fun, easy, and guaranteed to get the letters pouring in!

[From Defamer]

I’d never defend Elizabeth Hasselbeck, but I can’t help but wonder if she was stereotyping an entire culture with the incense comment or if she was rudely and ignorantly referring to Chopra’s liberal spiritual beliefs. I interpreted it more as a crack about New Age spirituality more than a cultural slam. I could be completely wrong, and either way it’s clear Elizabeth’s comments were incredibly ignorant, inflammatory, and meant to reduce Chopra – if not an entire culture – to simple stereotypes. She doesn’t strike me as the type to apologize, but it seems like a ridiculous, insensitive, personal slam like that sure deserves one.

Elisabeth Hasselbeck is shown in Vegas during a live taping of ‘The View’ on 6/24/08. Credit: WENN
Last month we reported that host Sherri Shepherd had drawn the ire of The View’s grande dame, Barbara Walters, and that Barbara was considering letting her go. Shepherd was involved in a minor controversy in which she said some regrettable things to a Christian woman’s magazine about how she’d had more abortions than she’d cared to count and that she’d like to see her boss Barbara “saved” by a televangelist.

Fast forward to the heated discussions on the show about the contentious US Presidential race and it’s token conservative Elisabeth Hasselbeck who’s pissing off the 78 year-old co-creator and co-producer. Elisabeth got upset in a discussion on air about VP Republican candidate Sarah Palin and Walters had to tell her to “calm down” and the show went to a commercial. Off air, The National Enquirer reports that Walters scolded 31 year-old Elisabeth and told her that if she can’t be measured in her opinions she should get a new job:

Elisabeth… got snippy [with her "View co-hosts] during a heated discussion of Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin on the show’s September 2 season premiere.

Sensing the debate was spinning out of control, Barbara ordered Elisabeth, an ardent Republican, to “calm down,” and the show immediately cut to a commercial.

“During the break, Barbara lashed out at Elisabeth,” an insider revealed. “In her typical style, she maintained her composure so it appeared everything was OK, but she made it clear to Elisabeth that she needed to calm down…”

When the taping was over, the… TV veteran had more to say to Elisabeth, according to the source.

“Barbara told Elisabeth that everyone welcomes her opinions, but demanded that she find an appropriate way to express them, and she said that if Elisabeth can’t do that, then maybe she should consider a new line of work,” said the insider.

“Elisabeth got teary-eyed and told Barbara that she feels as if the others are always ganging up on her. But Barbara quickly pointed out that Elisabeth brings most of that on herself.”

[From the National Enquirer, print edition, September 22, 2008]

It seems like they could get another conservative on The View to back up Elisabeth and represent the other side. Sherri Shepherd doesn’t count because she’s not informed enough, has admitted she’s never voted, and just comes off as a ditz. Elisabeth is decent with the guests, but she does try and dominate the conversation when they’re talking politics and her points aren’t that educated. She also gets too upset when people don’t agree with her. I like to see Whoopi because she’s funny, kind and a breath of fresh air on that show. She’s liberal but really measured in the way she presents things and is mellow and friendly. If Barbara wants a balanced panel she should create one. As it is, a lot of people say it’s skewed left and that Hasselbeck is a weak voice for the right.

If everyone got along though the show would lose some of its appeal and we definitely wouldn’t be talking about it as much. When Hasselbeck’s liberal nemesis Rosie was there The View got some of its best ratings despite being difficult to watch. With good-natured Whoopi running things it’s not as contentious and just doesn’t generate as much buzz despite being a much better show. Add a conservative version of Whoopi and it will be more sweetness and light and agreeing to disagree.

For some reason, people keep inviting Rosie O’Donnell onto their talk shows so she can plug her stupid projects and blab incessantly about her time on “The View.” Most recently, the irritating former funny lady appeared on The Martha Stewart Show, mostly to promote a new arts and crafts book for kids, but also to offer herself as the new poster child for mental illness in lieu of Britney Spears, and to get in a few more irrelevant digs at former co-star Elisabeth Hasselbeck.

“I tried my best but it’s hard for me when I’m not the boss,” O’Donnell, 46, said on The Martha Stewart Show Tuesday, reflecting on her experience on The View. “There was people there telling me what to do. There was a little Republican who scared me.”

[From People]

I’m sure Rosie was just terrified of Elisabeth. Whatever. Like anyone actually takes Elisabeth seriously anyway- she started her career as a Survivor contestant and the only reason she’s so conservative is that she has a rich professional athlete husband taking care of her stupid ass. But that’s beside the point, which is that this argument between these two morons happened ages ago, and nobody cares anymore. Rosie is the inspiration for the the term STFU. Honestly. For someone who is supposed to be funny, she sure spends a lot of time bitching. My mom used to tell me that if you’re constantly in arguments with people because they’re always jerks, you have to start to wonder if maybe you’re the jerk.

Note by Celebitchy: Yesterday I wasted minutes of my celebrity-obsessed life watching Rosie on Good Morning America with Diane Sawyer. Here’s the link to the video of that interview if you’re interested. She said essentially the same thing on that show, that she used to be the boss of her own talk show and she liked that better, and that Elizabeth Hasselbeck was young and that’s how she viewed her. She also volunteered that she had gray hair “all over,” and practically said that the curtains didn’t match the carpet or whatever. I’m really sorry for giving you that thought at all, but it really skeeved me out and I needed to pass it on. Like watching that little waterlogged girl in “The Ring.”

Here’s Rosie signing copies of her book “Crafty U: 100 Easy Projects the Whole Family Can Enjoy All Year Long” at Barnes & Noble in New York, thanks to PRPhotos. Oh - she also said on GMA that her kids don’t watch TV or play on the computer and that their school is also “media free.”

Elizabeth Hasselbeck gave birth to a son yesterday morning in Arizona. Apparently the baby came out wrapped in an American flag and a “Bush Forever” bumper sticker on his butt. No word of if that was meant as a political statement or some type of celebration of his birth canal journey.

Tim and Elisabeth Hasselbeck are the proud new parents of a boy, ABC.com reports. The View cohost gave birth to a 7-lb. 15-oz. boy Friday morning at an Arizona hospital. Hasselbeck plans to call into the show Monday to announce her son’s name. The baby joins big sister Grace, who is 2.

“We’re thrilled he arrived safely,” Tim Hasselbeck said in a statement. “Both mom and son are happy and healthy. The View cohost, 30, and her NFL quarterback husband, 29, moved to Arizona in October, after he signed a contract with the Arizona Cardinals.

The move brought early maternity leave for Elisabeth, who has pledged to return to the ABC morning talk show. When she had Grace, she took a total of six weeks off.

[From People]

In other news, the baby has already issued a statement saying that he’s pro-war, pro-life, and anti-Rosie O’Donnell. But then he found out the she sent him this lovely Lulla Smith white silk Moses basket for $290 from Petit Trésor and all was forgiven. Because let’s be honest, he’s a baby - and already a fanatical Republican one would assume – but he’s also the child of a celebrity, which means all things can be glossed over with various forms of swag.

Just four days before she gave birth, Elizabeth launched a baby blog on Dreft’s website. Dreft being that expensive, unscented detergent that’s supposed to be really good for babies but is pretty much the same thing as the $1.39 unscented detergent Target sells. Yeah I don’t really know why either. Something makes me doubt she’ll be competing with Rosie’s blog and publishing a lot of confusing haikus. Instead, she’ll pimp her baby for what I’m guessing is a little cash and a lot of free detergent.

Elisabeth promises “12 personal stories recounting her experiences and emotions both before and after the birth of her second child, due later this month, along with photos of the new baby.” The first entry on the sponsored blog includes a (surprise!) reference to the thrill of providing clean sheets for her two-year-old daughter:

Then came the irrational pregnant woman impulses of ordering twin sheets online for her new bed like mad! Everyday a package of bedding supplies would come. This past week, her new bed arrived bit-by-bit… first the mattress—then the bed! We washed it all and got it ready like a big present for her when she came home after a class. When she walked into the room she said: “OH MY GOODNESS!!!” and ran into it.

[From E! News]

Wow. Well I’m sure it’s all written from the heart… and by heart, I mean Dreft’s PR team. Congrats to the happy parents. I will send you some American flag bibs, pronto.

Rosie O’Donnell is said to have attempted to bury the hatchet with former fellow View co-host Elisabeth Hasselbeck. Rosie famously left The View after a shouting match with conservative Elisabeth in May. Rosie had posed the hypothetical question “who are the terrorists?” a few days prior after saying that 650,000 people were dead in Iraq. The news talk shows were all over that, and Rosie wanted Elisabeth to say if she really believed the claim they were making that Rosie called the troops terrorists. She posed a direct question to Elisabeth as to whether she thought that was true. Elisabeth never answered the question and just got loud while Rosie sat there kind of stunned and holding her ground.

I’m no Rosie fan, but I was on her side in that argument because I thought she handled it better. Hasselbeck later denied a feud with Rosie, saying they were friends and that “We are used to debating things there.”

Now Rosie is said to have sent Hasselbeck, who is due with her second child this month, a bunch of expensive baby gifts as a peace offering:

According to a source, Rosie dropped almost $600 at L.A. baby boutique Petit Trésor on Oct. 25 on gifts for Elisabeth, who is expecting her second child. “Rosie’s assistant called the store and ordered a $290 Lulla Smith white silk Moses basket and a $285 christening gown for the baby. “She asked for the gifts to be wrapped up and sent them to Elizabeth’s new address in Arizona.”

[From Star Magazine, print edition, November 12, 2007]

That’s a nice gesture and although the news got out I doubt that Rosie did it for publicity. She probably just wants Hasselbeck to have a healthy, happy baby and not to dwell on what happened. Rosie blogged before this spat that she wasn’t going to fight with Elisabeth anymore because “there is a new life there - inside,” so maybe she feels guilty about what happened.

There was a story that we covered that Rosie was in talks for an MSNBC talkshow that would be up against Hanity & Colmes and Larry King Live, but that deal has apparently fallen through.

“We were close to a deal almost done,” O’Donnell wrote on her blog. Negotiations continued late into Wednesday, but it was clear by evening that there would be no deal and no show.

“My career as a pundit is over b4 it began,” O’Donnell wrote.

[From Reuters.com]

Rosie may have screwed herself out of the show. She revealed at a book fair over the weekend that it was in the works and may have ruined her chances by blabbing about it too early.

Rosie is shown below on 6/3/07 at the 2007 Book Expo in NY, thanks to PRPhotos.

It’s not everyday that Barry Manilow gets a mention in the New York Daily News, or on a bunch of blogs. But he’s thrown an awesome hissy fit, and that’s just where it landed him. Manilow, famous for that incredibly annoying “Copa Cabana” song that makes you want to find him and cut off his tongue, was scheduled to appear on “The View” today. Manilow didn’t want to be interviewed by Elizabeth Hasselbeck, due to her vocal right-wing, pro-war beliefs. A few sources said he refused to go on if she was there and a few more have said he just didn’t want to talk with her. It’s hard to say.

“Barry Manilow balked at the thought of being interviewed by ‘The View’s’ Elisabeth Hasselbeck, so the producer of the show tossed his appearance. Manilow, who has been on the show before - once he hugged Hasselbeck - was to be on today’s show. But the visit was scrapped when he asked to chat with anyone but Hasselbeck.

“Manilow’s spokeswoman and a ‘View’ source said show executive producer Bill Gedde canceled the visit - not Manilow. ‘His views don’t coinicide [sic] with hers,’ she said.”

[From the Daily News]

I would guess Manilow was fine before because the situation was different before. It seems that even celebrities that used to keep their politics to themselves have felt the situation reaching ridiculous and intolerable levels, and are speaking up. I’m not sure that it’s appropriate to ask Hasselbeck not to be on her own show, but I understand not wanting to get into a fight with her. Manilow posted a message on his website yesterday addressing the issue.

“‘I wanted to let you know that I will no longer be on The View tomorrow as scheduled. I had made a request that I be interviewed by Joy [Behar], Barbara [Walters] or Whoopi [Goldberg] but not Elisabeth Hasselbeck,’ he wrote. ‘Unfortunately, the show was not willing to accommodate this simple request, so I bowed out.’

“A spokesperson for the chatfest declined to comment on Manilow’s exit.

“Manilow had appeared on ABC’s daytime talker twice in the past year without any such requirements, most recently last November. Of course, that was before his pal Rosie O’Donnell blew up at Hasselbeck over the war in Iraq and exited the show in May.

“Said Manilow: ‘It’s really too bad, because I’ve always been a big supporter of the show, but I cannot compromise my beliefs. The good news is I will be on a whole slew of other shows promoting the new album, so I hope you can catch me on those.’”

[From E! News]

We’ll get right on that Barry. Thank God he’ll be on a bunch of other shows – if I didn’t hear him sing “I Write the Songs” or “Weekend in New England” I would just freak the hell out. So though I don’t really care about Barry Manilow (except to mock, which is almost too easy and not all that fun anymore) it’s interesting to see a celebrity stand up for himself and his beliefs. Now if only a few more people would say that directly to George Bush.

Picture note by JayBird: Here’s Barry Manilow performing yesterday on the Today Show. When I was a kid I always thought he looked like a parrot. Can you see it?
Images thanks to PR Photos.

Well it’s not much of a surprise, but ABC announced that Whoopi Goldberg will fill Rosie O’Donnell’s position as the moderator on “The View.” Whoopi makes a lot of sense in that position, as she is similar to Rosie, though she strikes me as someone who is less easily baited. Like O’Donnell, she’s also a known commodity, and very liberal.

“I have known Whoopi for years,’ Walters said in a statement released to ABCNews.com today. ‘She is brilliant, funny and irrepressible, and is an enormously popular and talented star. We are delighted that she is going to join the program as our moderator. This is going to be a great new chapter for ‘The View.’”

Goldberg, 51, has sat in as a guest host since O’Donnell’s departure. She joins Walters and current “View” panelists Elisabeth Hasselbeck and Joy Behar.

“This is a big old thrill for me,” said Goldberg, who appeared with her new colleagues toward the end of the show. “The thing I’m looking forward to the most are the hot topics and everyone trying to get in at the same time.”

[From ABC News]

Whoopi has been an outspoken opponent of the Bush administration and the Iraq war, so we’ll obviously see some more fighting with Elizabeth Hasselbeck. Somehow I don’t think it’ll be quite as personal as the Rosie v. Elizabeth matches, but who knows. Rosie could be a little immature and sink to name calling and the like. I can’t see that coming from Whoopi. But anything could happen, and “The View” certainly likes to boost its ratings with fighting co-hosts.

Nothing was said of the other vacant position, so no one knows if they’ll fill it or leave it open. Technically it’s Star Jones’ position that’s still open. Meredith Viera and Star left at about the same time, after Rosie had already been slated to fill the moderator position, which was Meredith’s. There was a lot of talk that comedian Sherri Shepherd would fill the other position, but no other names were mentioned by Barbara Walters.

“With her household-name status and vocal criticisms of President Bush, Goldberg will likely give “The View” the star power and sound bites formerly supplied by O’Donnell. On today’s show, she hinted that like her predecessor, she won’t shy away from contentious topics, regardless of whether or not her co-hosts share her opinion.

“’I’m going to be a little meaner than normal,’ she said jokingly.

“’Just be yourself.’ Hasselbeck said.”

[From ABC News]

Hopefully the show will take a slightly more sophisticated route this next season. All of the drama, in-fighting, and diva-like behavior really detracted from the smart things the co-hosts had to say. I know Rosie’s feud with Donald Trump helped her career (and probably his too) but I think it came at the expense of some dignity, for all involved. With any luck this coming season will be a little more mature, and a little less bitchy. Not that there’s anything wrong with bitchy.

In spite of a failed bid to host “The Price is Right,” Rosie O’Donnell will return to television, on the FX show “Nip/Tuck.” She’ll reprise her role as Dawn Budge, a woman who has won the lottery and wants to use her money fix her body and her life. Oh, and has a bit of a crush on one of the doctors. Producers weren’t specific on the number of episodes, but did say she’d be on for “several.” They also left the possibility open that O’Donnell’s character might get her own spin-off show. “Nip/Tuck” creator and executive producer Ryan Murphy said, “‘The character was so instantly popular. We’ve spoken about (a spinoff), it’s an ongoing discussion.’”

Rosie also made some headlines last week on her annual R Families Vacations cruise. The cruise is an annual get away meant for gay and lesbian families, and is supposed to be a time to have fun and not be judged. O’Donnell raised some eyebrows when she went on yet another tirade against Elizabeth Hasselbeck and Donald Trump in front of an audience of 1500 people. The press had led us to believe that Rosie and Elizabeth had possibly mended fences, and if nothing else were going to be respectful towards one another. But Rosie dragged out a large poster of Hasselbeck over which she’d drawn devil horns, goatee, and pointed tail. According to an audience member, O’Donnell commented, “‘Her only f–king credit was Survivor. Come on!’” and “‘ “I can’t fight with pregnant people. Just go have your baby and have a nice life.’” Her comments directed at Donald Trump were a little more expected, and presented a lovely visual image. “‘Rosie she’d love to break into his apartment and rub her belly all over him.’” Man that would make me so happy.

Rosie also told TV Guide last week that she didn’t get the gig on “The Price is Right” because, “‘They thought I was too controversial to host the game show .. I just wanted to ‘gay it up.”” She had previously stated that she was offered the job but chose not to take it because she didn’t want to relocate her family to Los Angeles, where the show films.

I love Rosie, but she’s clearly itching for a fight. You know how sometimes you’re in a bad mood and you hope someone says something wrong so you can yell at them? No? Just me? Okay well anyway, that seems to be where Rosie’s at right now. I mean the Elizabeth Hasselbeck thing had completely died down. The Donald Trump thing had too… and if nothing else, don’t poke the beast. While the media reports that came in about what Rosie said on the cruise were rather vague, it just seems like it wasn’t the appropriate venue. It’s a cruise! Family fun? Check. Midnight buffet? Check. Angry middle-aged TV host? Absolutely, you couldn’t have a satisfying vacation without one.

Picture note by Celebitchy Rosie O’Donnell is shown in the header image on the True Colors tour on 6/30/07. Thanks to WENN for this picture.