Rosie O'Donnell to Release 'Detox' Memoir in the Fall

The New York Times reports that Rosie O'Donnell will chronicle a contentious and much-publicized year in a new memoir.

O'Donnell, who recently left "The View" earlier than planned after an impassioned political argument with former co-host Elizabeth Hasselbeck, will release Celebrity Detox this fall.  According to the article, "Speaking at a breakfast gathering at BookExpo America, the publishing industry's annual national convention, O'Donnell said her long-delayed memoir on fame will not be 'vindictive' or 'mean-spirited,' but will offer a candid look at her very public life, including her brief, battling stint on 'The View.'"  The book, which will consist of "'half blog,' half 'straight' writing," was originally to have been released a few years ago but was postponed due to O'Donnell's feelings that it was not yet ready for publication.  The book, in addition to being a memoir, will explore the excesses and pitfalls of celebrity.

O'Donnell said of her memoir: "We've had to change the epilogue."  She also referenced her high-profile feud with Donald Trump by quipping that her next career move would be "auditioning for 'The Apprentice.'"

For almost a year, O'Donnell co-hosted ABC's "The View" alongside Hasselbeck, Barbara Walters and Joy Behar.  She 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 by Linda Lenzi