Watching The View

Kellie Pickler was back for a second show as guest host. At the end of show she sang her song “I Wonder,” which she co-wrote about her mother abandoning her at a young age. She said that she has no contact with her mother and hasn’t since she was a “little girl.” While she was singing the song, the first time she performed it publicly, she began to cry, but managed to finish the song. The hosts all came over after the song was finished and they were teary-eyed as well.

Kathy Griffin brought much laughter to what has been a pretty sad environment this past week. In her stand-up act, as well as on her reality show My Life on the D-List, she criticizes celebrities. She said that she has had celebrities call her up to yell at her and once Whitney Houston waived her finger in her face, which scared her. Rosie said that was the “old Whitney” and she is on the mend now. Rosie added that when she hosted the Grammy Awards, Whitney Houston gave her the finger.

Kathy also talked about how she has started dating again since her divorce. She said that when she got married it was for love, but now she wants to date people that will get her into magazines. She went on to say that she dated adult film star Ron Jeremy and took him to her parents’ house for Thanksgiving. Her parents didn’t know who he was, fortunately. I have a feeling that we will see that encounter on the next season of D-List.

When asked by Rosie about all the young stars going out without underwear, Kathy said she did not understand it. She also said that they were a little too “bare” down there and joked that for her that is “too breezy,” and she could catch a cold. She added that because it is cold and flu season, she just “can’t risk it.”

When talking about hecklers, Kathy told Kellie Pickler that if people yelled at her to take her top off while she was performing, she should do it. Kellie joked, “I got a gold record. How do you think I got that far?”

Rosie announced that Kathy Griffin would be appearing on the next “R Family Cruise,” which is run by Rosie’s wife Kelli. Rosie then gave away a free cruise to a home viewer in the ongoing Home Viewer Sweepstakes. The studio audience seemed sad when Rosie said they all weren’t going to win a cruise. Rosie then said that although she might get a divorce because of it, she would give everyone in the audience a cruise. On her blog, regarding whether Kelli was angry with her, Rosie said “it made me feel happy, so she was happy.”

Les Stroud, star of the television show Survivorman also appeared on today’s show. His show airs in the United States on the Science Channel and in Canada on the Outdoor Life Network. This is a very fascinating and educational show, which I highly recommend. For the show, he is placed, all alone, in a remote spot in various places in the world (the jungle, the desert, the mountains). Unlike other survival shows, Les does not have a camera crew with him and documents everything himself on his own video camera. He said that he educates himself before he goes to a location, but he doesn’t rehearse anything ahead of time. Therefore, when you see him eat a scorpion on the show, that is the first time he is doing it.

Kellie Pickler, The View, Rosie O’Donnell, Kelli O’Donnell, Les Stroud, Kathy Griffin, My Life on the D-List, Survivorman

Guest host, former American Idol contestant Kellie Pickler, announced that she will be opening for country singer Brad Paisley on tour this summer. She later recounted a story about how recently she was in the bathroom at the Nashville airport and saw a woman she thought was Dolly Parton, her idol. It turned out to be a Dolly Parton impersonator on her way to Las Vegas. When the impersonator told Kellie that she looked familiar, Kellie joked “I’m a Kellie Pickler impersonator.” Later in the hot topics segment, Rosie surprised Kellie by presenting her with her first gold record, for her album “Small Town Girl.” Kellie started to cry when she saw the plaque and Elisabeth also shed some tears.

In addition to her comments about American Idol, Rosie also spoke briefly about T.R. Knight and his recent appearance on The Ellen DeGeneres Show to discuss how a fight on the set of Grey’s Anatomy led to him coming out of the closet. Rosie said to T.R., “Bravo young man. Hold your head high.”

Actress Juliette Binoche discussed her film Breaking and Entering, co-starring Jude Law. She said that during a love scene, the director told her to scream, so she obliged, providing a variety of screams resembling different animal noises. When Rosie asked her about doing work with refugees in Bosnia, she received a blank stare from Binoche. Rosie said she hadn’t read that in the research, but thought she had heard that somewhere. Rosie apologized, saying she has “had a rough two weeks” and then attributed it to “menopause and billionaires.”

Raquel Welch, who still looks gorgeous at age 66, appeared on the show to promote M.A.C. Cosmetics, who recently named her a “beauty icon.” She said that she did not mind giving her age, but that 26 years ago when she told people she was 40, it was “career suicide.” Directors began telling her that they had no parts for her.

The View, Rosie O’Donnell, Elisabeth Hasselbeck, Kellie Pickler, American Idol, Juliette Binoche, Raquel Welch, Grey’s Anatomy, T.R. Knight

For the second day in a row, Rosie spoke out against American Idol during the hot topics segment on The View. While, overall, she likes the show for its ability to help out young singers, she is not a fan of the early episodes of the season, which primarily show bad singers getting made fun of by the judges.

She stated that she does not understand why they have to humiliate the people so badly, especially when the attacks are very personal and often have nothing to do with music. They then showed a clip of one contestant from the previous night’s show. Simon Cowell, one of the three judges, did not stop after saying the contestant was a bad singer, but went on to compare his physical appearance to “creatures that live in the jungle” with “massive eyes” and then called him a “bush baby.” Paula Abdul said Simon was “sick” and told the contestant to his face that he was “awesome.” After he left the audition room, Paula proceeded to laugh along with Simon.

Rosie suggested that the American public does not really enjoy seeing people being ridiculed, but explained the ratings success on the fact that over time if you are “serving people crap and telling them it is a meal, they’re eventually going to think it is a meal.” Joy Behar chimed in that the early rounds of “Idol” are the modern day equivalent of a freak show.

Elisabeth Hasselbeck, who stated that she was also bothered by the humiliation some of the guests went through, pointed out that each contestant had to sign a release and knew what to expect. Guest host Kellie Pickler, a former American Idol contestant, said that she had to sign a release before auditioning and agreed with Elisabeth that after seeing previous seasons, the contestants did know what they were getting into.

Rosie also said that many of the contestants are possibly suffering from some mental illness and it is unfair to prey upon them for the sake of ratings. She suggested that instead of showing people being ridiculed, the producers should air the auditions of those people that were almost good enough to make the cut, but just didn’t have enough skill. She said that people would continue to watch the show if those auditions were aired instead.

What do you think? Has American Idol gone too far its humiliation of the contestants? Would you watch the early rounds of auditions if they eliminated the really bad singers?

Rosie O’Donnell, American Idol, The View, Joy Behar, Elisabeth Hasselbeck, Kellie Pickler, Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul

The last couple of days, Rosie’s demeanor on “The View” has been much more reserved than normal. She has seemed tired and sad. In response to inquiries on her blog that she seemed “tired of her situation there” and “over all of it,” Rosie acknowledged that “today I felt over it.” She added that she wore a hooded sweatshirt today, a piece of her own clothing, because she was feeling “rebellious.”

During the hot topics segment, when Rosie hinted that Paula Abdul was drinking alcohol, rather than coca-cola, during the episode of American Idol that aired the night before, she tiredly said “celebrity feud number 12. Line ‘em up.” Her frustration likely stems from her concern that she can’t seem to express any points of view without angering someone. On Tuesday’s show, she jokingly said, “I am so politically correct now, this show is going to be boring! I can’t take the pressure!” It is unclear whether she is under constraints by the show’s producers, or she is censoring herself. However, the comments about Abdul suggest the former and maybe were also a part of today’s “rebellion.”

Rosie O’Donnell, Paula Abdul, The View, American Idol

April Lee Hernandez, who stars in the film “Freedom Writers,” served as guest host. She did stand-up comedy prior to becoming an actress, so she had a good sense of humor and added some interesting insight to the hot topics. If she returns as a guest host, however, someone needs to let her know what things she cannot say on network television, because she got bleeped twice during the show.

Actor Rupert Everett discussed his new autobiography, Red Carpets and Other Banana Skins, which describes his encounters with celebrities and his life in Hollywood. He said that Hollywood is a masculine world and successful women have to have a certain male quality about them. Rosie agreed, saying that women have to have certain characteristics that our society deems to be masculine, such as assertiveness, in order to make it in Hollywood.

The Wiggles, an Australian group of children’s performers that appear on the Disney channel and tour around the world, performed a couple of their songs. There was a gaggle of little children right up at the stage, including Rosie’s daughter Vivi and Elisabeth’s daughter Grace, and they certainly seemed to enjoy the performance. The Wiggles sure have a lot of energy.

April Lee Hernandez, Freedom Writers, Rupert Everett, Rosie O’Donnell, The View, The Wiggles

During the hot topics segment, Barbara Walters announced that Barack Obama had filed the appropriate papers to start an exploratory committee to run for President. As an Illinois resident, I was happy to hear this news (although Barack had already sent me, and everyone else on his mailing list, an e-mail a short time earlier notifying me of his decision).

Rosie talked about the new musical “Spring Awakening,” which she saw the night before. The musical is based on a 1891 play from Frank Wedekind, which was so controversial at the time of its creation, that it was banned from the stage. Rosie said that the musical, which deals with issues of teenage sexuality in the late 1800s, set to contemporary music, moved her so much that she cried throughout much of the performance. The two stars of the show, Jonathan Groff and Lea Michele, were in the audience and Rosie told them that she was certain that Tony Award nominations would be coming their way. The cast will be performing on the “The View” sometime in February.

L.L. Cool J talked about his new workout book and how it is meant for everyone, not just very fit people like himself. He also denied rumors that he attained his incredible physique through the use of steroids or liposuction. He stated that those rumors are pervasive because our society expects quick fixes and does not reward, or even expect, hard work. At the conclusion of the interview, Rosie said she had one final question. Did he still want “a girl with extensions in her hair, bamboo earrings, at least two pair?” L.L. and Rosie then rapped several more lines of the song together. L.L. seemed impressed that Rosie knew all the words, but Barbara looked a little uncomfortable sitting in between them. ABC has a clip on their website. Click here, then select the video titled “L.L. Cool J’s decision.” The rap comes at the very end of the clip.

Rosie O’Donnell, Barbara Walters, The View, LL Cool J, Barack Obama, Spring Awakening, Broadway, musical, Lea Michele, Jonathan Groff

Tuesday on “The View,” comedian Mario Cantone was on the show to give his comedic take on the previous night’s Golden Globe awards. He commented that when his favorite show “Ugly Betty” won for best drama, it took the cast a very long time to get to the stage. He said, “If there was a fence in front of their table they’d be up there like that.” He said he knew the comment was “a little offensive,” but that he has to hear gay jokes on a daily basis and is sick of having to be politically correct. Joy Behar, who was interviewing him, didn’t understand the joke, so he said “because they are all Latin.” He went on to say that “if I said there was a fence in front of the table and German Shepherds that would have been even more offensive!”

Do you agree with his line of argument? Is it okay for a comedian to be offensive toward an ethnic group because he is part of a different group that is also the target of negative jokes?

Mario Cantone, The View, Joy Behar, Ugly Betty, Golden Globes

Patricia Heaton is currently starring in the off-Broadway play “The Scene,” playing the wife of actor Tony Shalhoub. On Monday’s show, she talked about how Tony is an old friend and was the best man at her wedding. When her husband called her during rehearsals to tell her that he missed her, she told him it must have been because she “making out with Tony all day.” She also added that she missed her husband and four sons when they were in Los Angeles, but when they came to New York to visit, it became pretty close quarters, as all six of them shared a two bedroom apartment. She was happy to see them, though, and even found joy in sitting on a wet toilet seat, because it meant her boys were there.

Jo Frost, the Supernanny, was a delightful guest and gave Elisabeth some advice on how to help her daughter Grace get rid of her pacifier. Jo told her to wean her off gradually, because she has been using it a crutch and it would be too hard to go cold turkey. Rosie added that in her family, when the kids got to three years of age, the pacifier fairy came and took the pacifiers. She said this was effective in her house. Jo teared up when talking about the family featured in tonight’s episode: a widow and her four young children, all struggling with grief in their own way. Jo also said that her experience as a nanny, which predated her show by over 15 years, has not deterred her from wanting her own children.

Throughout the show, I found myself incredibly distracted by Elisabeth’s shirt. It made me dizzy to look at it directly, but I couldn’t look away, either.

Jo Frost, Supernanny, Patricia Heaton, The Scene, Tony Shalhoub, The View, Rosie O’Donnell, Elisabeth Hasselbeck

Donald Trump, SNL, Saturday Night Live, Rosie O’Donnell, The View

Did you miss Joy Behar’s appearance on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno last Friday? Here it is, courtesy of You Tube. Of course the first thing Leno wanted to talk about was the Trump-O’Donnell feud. He also has a funny interpretation of the Rosie O’Donnell-Barbara Walters fight.

Joy Behar, Jay Leno, Tonight Show, Donald Trump, Barbara Walters, Rosie O’Donnell, The View

Here is a the scheduled list of guests for the week of January 15th. I am really looking forward to seeing the Supernanny, Survivorman, and Kathy Griffin!

Mon., Jan. 15: Patricia Heaton, Jo Frost (”Supernanny”)

Tue., Jan. 16: L.L. Cool J, Mario Cantone; musical guest Nancy Wilson.

Wed., Jan. 17: Celebrity guest co-host April Lee Hernandez, Rupert Everett, The Wiggles

Thu., Jan 18: Celebrity co-host Kellie Pickler, Juliette Binoche, Raquel Welch.

Fri., Jan. 19: Celebrity co-host Kelli Pickler, Kathy Griffin, Les Stroud (”Survivorman”)

The View, Jo Frost, Les Stroud, Kathy Griffin, Supernanny, Survivorman

Joy Behar will be on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno tonight. During today’s “hot topics” segment, Rosie said that when she was an up-and-coming comic, Jay was very supportive of her and other female comics. Joy agreed and said that a lot of other male comics at the time were chauvinistic, but Jay was always very supportive.

Joy Behar, Jay Leno, Rosie O’Donnell, The View

Guest Cybill Shepherd said she would love to reunite with “Moonlighting” co-star Bruce Willis in a big-screen version of their old television show. She said that, unfortunately, the creator of “Moonlighting,” Glen Gordon Caron, said he couldn’t figure out a way to do it. She also admitted that the stories of behind the scenes fights with Willis were true and added that he became a much better kisser after he started dating Demi Moore. She said that, in the beginning, Willis “kissed like a camel,” but then Demi “got ahold of him and she must have taught him something.”

Cybill Shepherd, Bruce Willis, Moonlighting, The View

On Thursday’s show, the women of “The View” expressed their views on President Bush’s announcement that he would be sending 20,000 more troops to Iraq. Elisabeth, the most conservative of the four, said that she has been a longtime supporter of President Bush, but that this effort is the “last shot” she is giving him. She stated that she agrees with the increase in troops, likening global terrorism to an infection and the added troops to a Z-Pak. She asserted that she does not want to see any more casualties, but fears that without this new effort, her daughter, and all of the next generation, will pay the price for it in the future. She said that the increase in troops is means to an end, like chemotherapy, which kills good, healthy cells as it is also killing the cancerous cells.

Rosie, who has vocalized her opposition to the war since its inception, said that the troop increase is a tragedy. She has friends who have husbands in the military reserves, who are now being called back for a third time. She added that even when the soldiers come back alive and uninjured, their “souls are shattered.” She added that the men and women of the armed forces are “the bravest and boldest and much braver than the men who sent them” to the war.

Elisabeth Hasselbeck, Rosie O’Donnell, Iraq, President Bush, war, troop escalation

On her blog, Rosie denied rumors that she is being fired from the show and stated that she does not have any plans to quit. Her contract runs for one school year. She wrote on Wednesday, in her typical free-form style:

i am doing it one school year at a time
in may
the family will vote
and i will let u all know

so far so good

Rosie O’Donnell, The View