Project Blog: Why I blog The View
When I was in college, I had my good and bad days just like any other student trying to excel in course work while balancing all of the new things that college life brings your way. During the later part of my time there, I had one constant. One thing to make me smile at the end of the day, no matter what professor had upset me or what so-called friend had betrayed me. That one thing? The Rosie O’Donnell Show. I, like thousands of others, became completely engrossed in that hour of television and Rosie never failed to lift my spirits. When Rosie’s show ended, despite being at the top of its game, there was definitely something special missing from television.
Last year when I learned that Rosie would be returning to television to be on The View, I was beyond ecstatic. Her first few months on the show, I TiVo’d faithfully, often talking back to the television when I agreed or disagreed with what they were discussing. In January of 2007, I decided to start this blog about The View. I figured that since I was watching it everyday and commenting on it, maybe I could share that with others. (This also spared my husband from having to listen to my daily, “Rosie said today that . . .”)
I could never have imagined at the time that I started this blog the twists and turns of fate to come that would change both the complexion of The View and that of this blog. When Rosie announced that she was leaving The View, and then especially when her departure came sooner than expected, I questioned whether this blog would even continue. How could I continue to blog about this show when my reason for starting this process was gone?
My thoughts of stopping were very short-lived because it became clear to me that so many of my readers were feeling the same way. They wondered if the show would ever be the same without Rosie. Meanwhile another group of readers were glad to see Rosie go and were relieved that The View would stop being in the headlines for everything that Rosie said. Those two groups of people came together here on this blog and had debates and discussions in the comments about the fate of the show, as well as all of the fall-out from Rosie’s departure.
Since Rosie left, and especially since the start of the new season, this blog has become a wonderful community of people who love The View, used to love The View, and people who are hoping desperately that The View will again become something that they can love. It has become a cyber version of the show, as people come here and leave comments, expressing their own views: about the hosts, about whether the show is too watered down, and to debate the hot topics discussed by the hosts.
Although I cannot say that I love and enjoy every episode of The View the way I did when Rosie was on, or the way I did with The Rosie O’Donnell show, I do know that The View will continue to give me plenty to write about and give all of you plenty to talk about.
The View, blogging, project runway, project blog, reality on bravo, Rosie O’Donnell
November 15th, 2007 at 7:56 pm
[...] 1. Kate, Babylune: “The Blog I Write and the Woman Who Writes It” 2. Randi, Brad Pitt Watch: “The First Challenge” 3. Jodie, Gossip on Sports: “Project Blog: Week One Challenge” 4. Cynthia, TV of the Absurd: “The Five TV Shows that Changed My Life” 5. Winnie, Watching the View: “Project Blog: Why I Blog the View” [...]
November 15th, 2007 at 8:26 pm
Nice first blog post.
Voted.
Good luck Winnie
November 15th, 2007 at 8:47 pm
So well said, Winnie. It’s really interesting to hear why you started this blog. I’ll be voting for you!
November 15th, 2007 at 8:58 pm
Done deal — and it looks like you are way up there, in the winning!
I loved reading about why you started this blog. I had no idea it was inspired by Rosie rather than The View. I’m so glad you kept the blog up after Rosie left. Thank you!
I hope everyone shoots a note to Rosie on her blog and tells her to come to your site and read your nice words about her. I also wish The View would see this and have you on as a guest! (If they were not boycotting all things Rosie, I’ll bet they would have had you on.) Anyway, good luck!
November 16th, 2007 at 12:44 am
Good luck, Winnie. But damn, the prize package sucks! I know you want to win for the distinction, but a good package would be a nice benefit.
November 16th, 2007 at 7:02 am
I just voted for you Winnie. I agree with everyone else the background info on your blog is very interesting. I’m going to try and put the voting link on my blog. Peaches, that a great idea about writing Rosie. Every little bit helps.
November 16th, 2007 at 7:04 am
Good luck Winnie. I went and voted for you. I still come to your site even though I don’t watch the show as much. That says a lot about your site.
Hope that you win.
November 16th, 2007 at 7:04 am
Yeah Winnie is winning!
November 16th, 2007 at 1:08 pm
Best of Luck.
I also really enjoyed reading why you started your blog, and some things about you.
I am so glad that Rosie inspired you to do this blog. It has really become an enjoyable part of my afternoon’s.
I really appreciate your recaps of the View, and I like the diversity of all our posters.
I think it’s a pretty good bet that we all liked the Rosie O’Donnell show.
Thanks again Winnie, and I hope you win!!
November 16th, 2007 at 11:16 pm
[...] Winnie, Watching the View: “Project Blog: Why I Blog the View” 6. Sally, Style Fix: “The Fashionable Child Who Writes Becomes the Fashion Writer” 7. [...]
November 17th, 2007 at 12:04 am
[...] TV of the Absurd: “The Five TV Shows that Changed My Life” 5. Winnie, Watching the View: “Project Blog: Why I Blog the View” 6. Sally, Style Fix: “The Fashionable Child Who Writes Becomes the Fashion Writer” 7. Kara, [...]
November 17th, 2007 at 1:28 am
[...] at TV of the Absurd: “The Five TV Shows that Changed My Life” Winnie at Watching the View: “Project Blog: Why I Blog the View” Sally at Style Fix: “The Fashionable Child Who Writes Becomes the Fashion Writer” Kara at [...]
November 17th, 2007 at 7:58 pm
Winnie, it’s sat. evening and it looks like you are doing great.
I just saw a vote for you by Sherri Shepard. If it’s for real, I think that’s GREAT! She says she reads your blog, and enjoys your neutral recaps.
November 18th, 2007 at 3:34 pm
[...] of the Absurd: “The Five TV Shows that Changed My Life” 5. Winnie, Watching the View: “Project Blog: Why I Blog the View” 6. Sally, Style Fix: “The Fashionable Child Who Writes Becomes the Fashion Writer” 7. [...]
November 19th, 2007 at 9:23 am
It looks like Winnie is running away with this. It would be nice to see someone that I voted for win for a change…LOL! Hey maybe Rosie winning is an Omen. There’s hope for you yet John Edwards!
November 19th, 2007 at 10:41 am
Rainlille…too funny!!!
November 19th, 2007 at 7:17 pm
rainlillie, lol
Winnie is still winning!
December 15th, 2007 at 10:52 am
very interesting, but I don’t agree with you
Idetrorce
February 15th, 2008 at 2:21 pm
Winnie,
I wanted to re-read this again. Still love it!
And the comments, wonderful!!
May 17th, 2009 at 5:58 pm
[...] I started this site in January 2007, it was for one specific reason: Rosie O’Donnell had made the show the very essence of must-see-TV. And not because of the [...]