O'Donnell Announces She Will Depart 'The View' Early

Rosie O'Donnell has announced an early departure from the morning ABC talk show "The View," according to ABC News.

ABC attributes O'Donnell's decision to not return to "The View" to her repeated political clashes with conservative co-host Elizabeth Hasselbeck.  Although the proudly liberal O'Donnell has previously reconciled with Hasselbeck after disagreements, the Wednesday, May 23rd edition of "The View" - which has been co-hosted by O'Donnell, Hasselbeck, Barbara Walters and Joy Behar for the past year - brought a highly-publicized shouting match between O'Donnell and Hasselbeck concerning the war in Iraq.  O'Donnell asked Hasselbeck to address her own feelings on conservative allegations that O'Donnell had implied the American troops were terrorists, and the debate turned increasingly acrimonious as the two verbally jousted. 

As ABC puts it, O'Donnell said to Hasselbeck - "'I asked you if you believed what the Republican pundits were saying." Hasselbeck replied - "Did I say yes?" O'Donnell said - "You said nothing and that's cowardly." Hasselbeck responded - "No, no, no. Do not call me a coward because I sit here every single day, open my heart and tell people exactly what I believe." As the debate ended, "both hosts seemed on the verge of tears, and the audience seemed incredibly uncomfortable."

O'Donnell, previously announced to leave "The View" on June 20th, recently wrote on her blog, "When painting there is a point u must step away from the canvas as the work is done." In a public statement on her earlier-than-planned departure, O'Donnell said: "I'm extremely grateful. It's been an amazing year and I love all three women."

Brian Frons, president of Disney-ABC's Daytime Television Group, stated: "We had hoped that Rosie would be with us until the end of her contract three weeks from now, but Rosie has informed us that she would like an early leave. Therefore, we part ways, thank her for her tremendous contribution to 'The View' and wish her well."  Walters, who is also the creator and co-executive producer of "The View," stated, "I brought Rosie to the show. Rosie contributed to one of our most exciting and successful years at 'The View.' I am most appreciative. Our close and affectionate relationship will not change."

O'Donnell was previously, from 1996 to 2002, the host of ABC's "The Rosie O'Donnell Show," on which she heavily promoted Broadway shows and featured Broadway performers.  O'Donnell is also a performer who most recently appeared as Golde in the recent Broadway revival of Fiddler on the Roof; she has also been seen on Broadway in Seussical (as The Cat in the Hat) and in Grease (as Rizzo). O'Donnell, who began her career as a stand-up comedian, produced the Boy George musical Taboo, and film and TV credits include Tarzan, Harriet the Spy, Now and Then, Exit to Eden, A League of Their Own, Sleepless in Seattle, "Will & Grace," and "Queer as Folk." O'Donnell, who is a also known as a vocal advocate of gay and lesbian rights, is married to Kelli Carpenter O'Donnell, with whom she has four children.

It was recently announced that O'Donnell might at some point succeed Ann Harada as Madame Thenardier in Broadway's Les Miserables.

Visit www.rosie.com for more on O'Donnell and to read her blog.

Photo of Rosie O'Donnell by Linda Lenzi