Rosie O’Donnell Gives Thanks For New “Variety Show”

By Tom Rose
Fancast.com

Variety reports that Rosie O’Donnell will be returning to television on Thanksgiving weekend with a revival of the old variety format.

The hour-long, tentatively titled “Rosie’s Variety Show” will air Nov. 26 at 8 p.m. EST and include celebrity guests, musical acts, comedy skits and audience/viewer participation contests.

“We want to show people that variety can be done in a new and inventive way for 2008,” said Craig Plestis, NBC Entertainment’s exec VP for alternative programming, development and specials. “We hope to do it in ways you haven’t seen before. It’s going to be the YouTube of variety shows.”

Rosie hasn’t been a regular on TV since the days she regularly feuded with the ladies on “The View” - a habit that eventually forced her to leave the show. But not before she took its ratings to a new high that have been consistent ever since.

O’Donnell says the chance to host a live, primetime variety show is “a dream come true. Old-time variety, live from New York, with a nod to Ed Sullivan, Carol Burnett and memories of Sonny and Cher.”

Sounds like something to be thankful for, and just in time. Break a turkey leg Rosie!

More on These Topics: Rosie O'Donnell | Rosie’s Variety Show