Rosie O’Donnell Says She Will Return to The View for 30th Season

Rosie O’Donnell Announces Guest Appearance for Season 30 of The View

While O’Donnell expressed her intention to participate, a representative for the comedian told Entertainment Weekly that there has not been a formal ask from the show at this time. The representative noted that current co-host Ana Navarro had mentioned the possibility of O’Donnell appearing as a guest during the season, but clarified that nothing has been formalized. According to Entertainment Weekly, there are currently no formal plans for O’Donnell to return to the “Hot Topics” table.

The 30th season is expected to begin in September, though ABC has not announced a specific premiere date. O’Donnell believes the show is bringing back all former hosts to commemorate the three decades of the series, which was originally launched in 1997 based on the vision of journalist Barbara Walters.

History of Conflict and Reconciliation

O’Donnell’s previous tenures as a co-host during Seasons 10 and 18 were marked by significant on-air volatility. In 2006, she engaged in a public feud with Donald Trump regarding his handling of a scandal involving Tara Conner, then-Miss USA. In 2007, she experienced a tense clash with conservative co-host Elisabeth Hasselbeck over the Iraq War. O’Donnell later told Brooke Shields that Hasselbeck kind of threw me under the bus, leading O’Donnell to leave the show.

The comedian also addressed her complicated relationship with current host Whoopi Goldberg. O’Donnell recalled wanting the two to work together like Scottie Pippen and Michael Jordan passing the ball back and forth, but admitted that’s not exactly what happened. O’Donnell speculated that Goldberg may have felt encroached upon during their time together. However, O’Donnell stated that the two have since reconciled, noting, we’ve gotten past it… we’re grown ass women.

Perspectives on the Show’s Evolution

Despite her history with the program, O’Donnell expressed pride in what aol.com has become and how it addresses politics and the public. She contrasted this with her first experience in 2006, describing the environment at that time as a factory where people were being churned in and out and where security was tenuous.

O’Donnell specifically criticized the leadership of the show during her early years, stating that while the program was created by a woman for women, it was run by a man who decided the topics of conversation, which she said didn’t sit right with me.

Future Career Plans

O’Donnell has clarified that her upcoming appearance is strictly as a guest. In a 2023 conversation with Brooke Shields, she stated she would not consider a permanent return to a co-hosting role. She explained that she did not believe it was the best use of her talent to be on a show where she was required to argue and defend basic principles of humanity and kindness.

Outside of her potential return to The View, O’Donnell is scheduled to guest host Jimmy Kimmel Live! later this month. This marks her first experience hosting a late-night program, as Kimmel has selected various celebrities, including Colman Domingo, Ike Barinholtz, and Tiffany Haddish, to fill in during his two-month summer break.