Rosie O'Donnell will NOT be returning to "The View"

[YRIsTheBest]

Official ABC Statement

In a statement today, Brian Frons, the president of Disney-ABC's Daytime Television Group, said, "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."

Barbara Walters, the show's creator and co-executive producer, said, "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."

In her statement, O'Donnell said, "I'm extremely grateful. It's been an amazing year and I love all three women."

And on her Web site Thursday, O'Donnell wrote: "When painting there is a point u must step away from the canvas as the work is done."

O'Donnell announced at the end of April she was leaving "The View," and her last day was supposed to be June 20.

The Final Straw?

O'Donnell and Elisabeth Hasselbeck have repeatedly gotten into heated political discussions on "The View." And more than once the two appeared to reconcile. Almost a month ago O'Donnell wrote on her blog, "On the view u have seen my last hasselbeck spat 2 day was it no more -- its done."

But fans of the talk show got more than the usual chat and gossip Wednesday when a long-running Iraq War debate between O'Donnell and Hasselbeck erupted into a verbal sparring match. It quickly turned personal, sparking a larger debate about what Americans can and cannot say about the war.

Wednesday's debate was the culmination of a fight that started on "The View" last week, when O'Donnell said, "655,000 Iraqi civilians have died. Who are the terrorists?"

Conservative critics said O'Donnell was calling U.S. troops terrorists. Wednesday, Hasselbeck said O'Donnell should clarify her statement.

"I asked you if you believed what the Republican pundits were saying," O'Donnell said to Hasselbeck.

"Did I say yes?" Hasselbeck replied.

"You said nothing and that's cowardly," O'Donnell shot back.

"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," Hasselbeck shouted.

After her co-hosts did some cooling off, Barbara Walters, the show's creator and co-executive producer, declared a peace and shot down any speculation that the argument was fabricated for ratings.

"Welcome to 'The View' … so Aunt Barbara is back and there will be peace in the kingdom," Walters said in an exclusive statement to ABC News Thursday. "Rosie O'Donnell is off today: It is her partner Kelly's birthday, so Rosie asked to have the day off."

"It's a hot weekend, so everybody can cool off," Walters continued. "And for those who think, let us say, the interesting day, was planned for ratings -- that's just absurd. The highest ratings we've had for 'The View' this whole year were in February, when there were no feuds."

In Wednesday's exchange, there were no threats of violence, but both hosts seemed on the verge of tears, and the audience seemed incredibly uncomfortable.

"Every time I defend them, Elisabeth, it's poor little Elisabeth that I'm picking on," O'Donnell said.

"You know what? Poor little Elisabeth is not poor little Elisabeth," Hasselbeck shot back.

"That's right. That's why I'm not going to fight with you anymore because it's absurd," O'Donnell said as the debate wound down. Co-host Joy Behar called for a commercial break and the audience broke into applause.

Ro's Future

O'Donnell's future in TV is uncertain. On the day she officially announced she was leaving "The View," she said she would return for future projects. "I'm not going away. I'm just not going to be here every day," said O'Donnell.

But recent events on the show imply she's over it.

On her Web site today, Rosie has a collage video scrapbook of sorts, of pictures and memories from her experiences on "The View." It's played to the tune of Cyndi Lauper's "Sisters of Avalon."

Lauper sings, "And a distant drum rumbling under ground gently guides me on..."

O'Donnell has been guided on...on from "The View."

GOOD JOB ELIZABETH!

[King]

Oh wow.

[alwaysAMC]

Wow.

Well, Monday will be worth watching - I want to see what the ladies have to say about this quick exit.

[King]

I think it probably has to do with Right Wingers saying she's a terrorist in her own way, a pig, and as worse as Osama more than anything that really took place on set or behind the scenes. She looked wounded the other day on screen during her fight with Elisabeth.

[mateo22]

I'm sad but at the same time really happy for her. It's for the best.

[tylerbo20]

well when this show is cancelled next season it will be for the best. Elizabeth was good on survivor but not good on the view.

[bellcurve]

GO ELISABETH!

TEAM HASSELBECK 1000%!

That makes this so awesome!

[Josh]

Okay ABC get off your lazy butts and announce who the new co-hosts are! I can't take a summer of Joy, Elisabeth and Barbara!!

[bellcurve]

They are gonna have to pick someone really early and get them in over the summer.

Sherri Sheppard should take one of the chairs and the other should go to someone that is liberal enough to spar with Elisabeth without being a bully(i.e. Rosie O'Donnell).

And was Joy trying out for VIEW moderator on Wednesday?! I thought she was great in that role and I think she would help keep everyone on task. Joy should be the new moderator. I hope Barbara agrees.

[KBT]

I think Rosie should just tough it out and show up for the next 3 weeks By her not showing up again IMO it makes her look bad.

[dawn9476]

Thank the Lord. I will never have to watch anything with that little twit Elizabeth again.

[juppiter]

I hope that Elisabeth is not going to be fired over this... pathetic that O'Donnell couldn't "tough it out" for 3 more weeks. It shouldn't be that hard for her to go to work and do nothing for a lot of money when a lot of Americans work 40 grueling hours a week at Wal-Mart for $5.15 an hour. *Can't stand* Rosie....

I think Sheri Sheppard should take Star's chair, and Roseanne Barr should Rosie's chair. I loooove Roseanne Barr, that'd definitely get me watching.

[taybas123]

I think Rosie is a coward for bailing out. I don't really give a crap about Elisabeth but at least she's not a chickenshit. If Rosie really believed what she was saying, why should EH have to defend her. Defend yourself when you put your foot in your mouth and don't whine like a bitch because no one stood up for you.

[David_Vickers]

Elisabeth Hasselback is stupid dumb vile ignorant neo-con fool and should be fired. Fox News would definitely hire the dimwit.

[JER Soaps Fan]

But wait, Rosie is "bad." So why not look it?

Anyway, what was that crap about 'everytime I pick on you, it's poor Elisabeth, poor Elisabeth?' (paraphrased)

How can ANYONE side with this witch?!

From where I'm standing, it's NEVER like that, which proves Ro was trying to bait her! If anything, it's "crazy Elisabeth and her conservative views! crazy rich bitch! crazy republican! naive bitch! blonde bimbo! get off the view!"

(Full disclosure: I love Bits, I'm just saying the comments that are said about her).

So Rosie's NONSENSICAL argument about 'poor Elisabeth' doesn't wash -- and just proves how much of a manipulative, conceited, hate-filled talking head that she is!