Rosie O’Donnell is leaving ‘The View’: did she jump or was she pushed?

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Rosie O’Donnell hit the gossip world on Friday with one “duh” piece of news and one genuinely shocking piece of news. The not-so-shocking news: Rosie is once again leaving The View, after only being back six months or so. She’s not even going to finish one full season, which is no surprise. It’s not like I even watch The View, but I’m always seeing headlines about Rosie fighting with various co-hosts or guests and on the whole, The View seems like a pit of vipers. As for the shocking piece of news, Rosie’s three-year marriage to Michelle Rounds is over.

Rosie O’Donnell and her wife, Michelle Rounds, have split, and O’Donnell will leave “The View” next week to concentrate on her family’s well-being, Page Six can exclusively reveal. Sources close to O’Donnell told us that she and Rounds, her wife of three years, have been living apart for months, and that O’Donnell feels she must leave the ABC daytime show to focus on her five kids.

Rosie’s rep, Cindi Berger, confirmed the marital split, as well O’Donnell’s departure from “The View,” in a statement Friday night: “I can confirm that Rosie and her wife Michelle split in November. Rosie has teens and an infant at home that need her attention. This has been a very stressful situation. She is putting her personal health and family first. ABC has been wonderfully understanding and supportive of her personal decision to leave ‘The View.’ Next week will be her last.”

O’Donnell, 52, married her second wife Rounds in private in June 2012. In 2013, they adopted a baby girl, Dakota. She has four other older kids. Last fall, O’Donnell returned to “The View after her first tumultuous exit from show back in 2007. Rumors of her latest departure began just months later due to reported friction behind-the-scenes. But sources said the decision to leave was “very personal” and because of the breakup.

ABC said in a statement confirming her departure: “Rosie is an immensely talented star who comes in each and every morning brimming with ideas, excitement and passion for the show. When she told us she wanted to exit ‘The View,’ we respected and understood her desire to put her well-being and her family first. We’re delighted she’s still part of the ABC family with upcoming guest appearances on ‘The Fosters,’ and we know she’ll return to ‘The View’ often with her unique point of view and updates on her work and her family.”

[From Page Six]

I wonder if Rosie will face some contractual penalties for leaving before the season is done? And while Page Six’s sources insist that Rosie is leaving for personal reasons (reasons involving her failed marriage, no doubt), The Daily Mail’s sources say that Rosie has been constantly fighting with staff and producers. Apparently, everyone working at The View blames Rosie for the failing ratings and ABC is totally on board with kicking Rosie to the curb and starting fresh, and they’re also fine with Rosie using her relationship troubles as an excuse. Seems legit to me.

PS… These are pics of Rosie with her now-estranged wife Michelle. Does Michelle give anyone else Jane Seymour-Helen Hunt vibes?

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Photos courtesy of WENN.

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46 Responses to “Rosie O’Donnell is leaving ‘The View’: did she jump or was she pushed?”

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  1. EscapedConvent says:

    I’m not sure what everyone was expecting when she came back to the show. Rosie is contentious now, as she was then. She’s Bossypants.

    • Mmhmm says:

      God I know! Can this show just end already? I think it’s become something that now sets people’s views on women behind. Like all they do is scream at each other. I actually used to like this show when Meredith Viera was on because they would DISCUSS topics that could be handled in the timeslot without screaming. Now they choose topics that are so polarizing that they just end up yelling and sticking to their guns.

    • zinjojo says:

      Bossypants with no self-awareness = insufferable.

      It’s too bad. Rosie was appealing in her earlier career and I liked her then. But over the years, she’s become so shrill and unwilling to listen or step outside of herself, that I just don’t want to watch her in anything.

      • ava7 says:

        Isn’t it strange? When she used to have her own talk show she seemed goofy and nice (except when she had Tom Sellek on). Was that all an act? Shrill is the exact word for her. And strident. For someone who wants everyone to accept their lifestyle with no judgement, she sure is judgmental and intolerant of anyone who has views different than her own.

    • Not so fast says:

      Disagree. Bossypants is Ms. Whoopi–she is the insufferable one. She barely lets anyone else talk. And they relegated poor Rosie to shilling for Frozen and Mommy issues.
      I can’t stomach the View because I can’t take Whoopi anymore.

      • Jane says:

        I think Rosie is the one who kept bringing up Frozen, not the other way around. She is also the one brings her kids into conversations because she loves imparting her parenting skills. I also don’t think it is a coincidence that they started having shows featuring crafting, with Rosie hosting that segment. All of these things are stuff Rosie loves to talk about, kids, movies, Broadway shows, and crafts.

        Whoopi can be downright ridiculous when it comes to defending her friends when they have done something wrong, but I still would rather see her than Rosie. However, they both come in at a tie for being self righteous.

  2. Kiddo says:

    And a tree fell in the woods…

  3. NewWester says:

    Something tells me that this breakup with her wife Michelle might be getting messy and or some major blowup backstage at the View is going to hit the fan soon. Rather than have even more drama on the View, the suits at ABC gave Rosie the option of leaving on her own. Then when she announces she is not coming back no one will be surprised. Drama seems to follow Rosie
    I get more of a ” Jane Seymour” vibe from Michelle

    • denisemich says:

      Jane Seymour… I don’t understand the comment. Are we saying she just looks like her???
      I think Rosie O was done with the View after the Whoopi race blow up last December. I think she quit then and I also think she saved Rosie P’s job.
      As much as I respect Whoopi’s movie work, I think she is awful on the View. I think ABC is sorry they made such a long deal with her and set Rosie O to push her out. But Rosie O couldn’t stand Whoopi and the stress was too much.

    • joan says:

      Saying she has “teens and an infant ‘at home’ ” makes it sound like she has full custody. Just laying it on thick OR true?

  4. Constance says:

    I get more of a “gold digger” than a “Jane Seymour.”

  5. Jenny says:

    I have a soft spot for Rosie. With that being said, I know she has a lot of issues and I think that makes her very difficult to be around.

    • PunkyMomma says:

      I agree. Rosie has been very vocal regarding her issues with depression and the medications used for treatment, and how she’s had difficulties being compliant with their use. Rosie’s mental illness has seemingly been exploited for ratings – blame the greedy folks at ABC and Barbara Walters. Just my take, you may see it differently.

    • Cindy says:

      I have a soft spot for her too. I could be wrong but my understanding is she had a horrible childhood. It seems like she means well but just cannot get out of her own way.

  6. GoodNamesAllTaken says:

    Totally see Jane Seymour in the face shape and Helen Hunt in the eyes.

    I don’t care for Rosie but I’m sorry she’s having such a rough time.

  7. Sea Dragon says:

    Rosie is a bully. She pushes people around and once again they pushed back. I’ve gathered The View has become a low class show that people watch for the drama. A talk fest akin to a soap opera that lacks manners and respect. They were, however, civil to let her insert her own excuse for leaving but Rosie gave us a bs reason. If anything, she could have leaned on her coworkers for the support and love a person needs when divorce hits. She really messed up. I feel for her kids. I hope the one thing she does get right is being a good Mom.

  8. Amy says:

    Trying desperately to compete with a show aimed at women from a younger demographic and this was the best they could come up with?

    Sometimes I think executives and producers are so removed from reality that all business plans they have should be submitted to someone normal living a regular life.

    “Do you think we should bring Rosie back? Ahahahahahaha!!!! …oh wait. You’re serious??? Phuck no guys!”

    That woman + Whoopi “I Heart Monsters!” Goldberg was a total turn-off.

    • BengalCat2000 says:

      What if this is like the plot from “The Producers” and someone behind the scenes is awaiting a big payout from this show’s eventual cancellation.

  9. lolamd says:

    I watch the View sometimes and like Rosie on it. It is Whoopie I dont like. Even as a viewer I could feel the tension between the two. I am sad to see Rosie go. The one I think needs to go is Whoopie.

    • Dorothy#1 says:

      YES!!! Totally agree!! I loved when whoopie was gone with her back pain. The show was fun and funny.

    • Yep says:

      Me too. Can’t stand Whoopi. She so damn strident. I loved when she was out.
      If she’s on, I just can’t watch it. She’s achieved a lot and deserves respect, but this show is NOT for her. She needs to retire or just do comedy. Please no more of her opinions.

  10. Bridget says:

    Rosie has only been on for 6 months and The View has been on a downslide for years. They’re probably mad she didn’t provide more drama. Just put the whole thing down already.

  11. Jaded says:

    The View puts women in media in a very bad light. The producers seem to have chosen women who act more like they’re on a ‘Real Housewives of….’ type show, not a show with serious dialogue and debate about current events. It always escalates into a ‘bunch of cats in a bag’ fight and that seems to be The View’s only claim to fame. Rosie O’Donnell was a bad choice because she is the most obstinate, opinionated and rude woman they’ve ever had on the show. Couple that with someone like Whoopi Goldberg whose whackdoodle opinions on everything from rape to race and you have a guaranteed shriek-fest. I’m surprised it hasn’t caused some major b*tch-slapping on camera.

  12. Bella Bella says:

    Whoopie will never get fired as long as she’s allowing the suits to get away with “rape rape” and beating women. As long as she keeps spewing those crap views out to the audience she’ll keep her job.

  13. anniefannie says:

    I thnk Rosie is pulling a “it’s me or Whoopi” move and is going to see where the chips fall.
    It’s obvious from watching the show she can barely tolerate Whoopi and after the Brian Williams disagreement I think she’d had it….
    I’m not a huge Rosie fan but it was unbearable watching Whoppi come down on the wrong side of nearly every issue, how long was she a Cosby apologist while attacking each women that came forward as an opportunist?

    • starr says:

      Agreed. I’m not a big Rosie O. fan, but I have been disgusted by Whoopi’s views and the immature and befuddled way she expresses them. How many times has she loudly shut down a conversation so that she can have the last word and move on in the rudest of ways? Too many times to count. It’s almost like the older Whoopi gets, the more crotchety the situation. It’s appalling that she’s still there, and acting as moderator, no less.

      On a side note, I’m REALLY irritated by Nicolle’s high pitch cackle and her star-stuck, ass-kissing ways to Whoopi and big name guests. It’s embarrassing. Not to mention how many times she interrupts when a guest is trying to tell a story. Someone needs to reign her in.

      • starr says:

        PS: I should have typed her full name, Nicolle Wallace. If only someone at The View [or Nicolle herself] would get pinged via Google Alert and read this. Not that they’d really listen, but I just feel the need to chime in. She is irritating as Hell.

      • davidsask says:

        Perfect assessment!

    • Bossy Whoopi says:

      I don’t think it’s a me or Whoopi move at all. I think she doesn’t want the stress of dealing with that bossy, only-I-know-anything bitch. I’d hit the road too. It was so great when Whoopi was out with her back problem. Now’s she’s back and it’s SOS. I turn the TV OFF.

  14. Louise177 says:

    I’m actually surprised Rosie is leaving considering everybody was reporting it was Perez that was leaving. I don’t watch The View often but it’s mostly of them yelling at each other. I actually don’t know why they brought her back. Since she left the first time she seems angrier. The View has been going down hill for years. I think it started with Merideth. But other talkshows like The Talk was stealing some of their thunder.

  15. Jane says:

    I think this is just a convenient excuse for Rosie to leave, yet again. I never thought it would work out. Rosie is way too emotional and intense to “play well with others” and if the ratings aren’t there to support the drama and high maintenance behind the scenes, somebody has to go. I think Barbara Walters has had a hand in giving Rosie some cover when she exits and ABC is fine with it if gets Rosie out of there. I am not saying her breakup didn’t have an impact on her, but I don’t think that is the real reason she is leaving.

  16. snowfall says:

    How does anyone even have time to watch this?? Don’t people work?

    • jwoolman says:

      People record shows for later viewing, I assume. At least I do. Not The View …. Reminds me too much of dysfunctional obligatory family gatherings. Had enough of that in realspace. I like Rosie O’Donnell, though, although I don’t see her very often since my tastes run more to cartoons.

  17. Cinderella says:

    The timing of both makes me think something naughty happened at the workplace.

  18. carly says:

    Rosie stoked me as the type of woman who will not be pushed around. I think she probably made the decision to leave. I really do admire her for taking care if herself, and if working is becoming too stressful she has to take a leave. Strong woman that one.

    • Deeana says:

      snowfall: There are those of us who are indeed at home during the daytime. Some could be folks who work shifts. Then there are the retired and the disabled, whether permanently or temporarily. And the staying-at-home-with-the-kids parents. And the unemployed.

      So there are a whole lot of people watching daytime TV.

      Even though I am at home during the day, I very rarely watch TV during the day. But I can say that from what it once was, The View is just awful now.

      And I don’t like either Whoppi or Rosie O’Donnell. Or Barbara Walters for that matter. I liked Joy Behar and Meredith Vierra when they were on.