With dismal ratings on the little-watched network, Oprah Winfrey pulls the plug on O'Donnell's five-month-old talker.
OWN has pulled the plug on Rosie O’Donnell's five-month old talk show.
The daily show will tape its final episode on Tuesday, March 20 to air on Friday, March 30 in its 7 p.m. time slot. The news of its demise comes two months after the ailing network announced it had hired Shane Farley (Rachel Ray, Rosie O’Donnell Show) to replace Page Hurwitz as the show’s executive producer and would move Rosie into a significantly smaller 70-seat studio. The latter was a bid to inspire a sense of intimacy and lower costs on a series that is averaging 190,000 viewers.
“I thank Rosie from the bottom of my heart for joining me on this journey. She has been an incredible partner, working to deliver the best possible show every single day,” said OWN chief Oprah Winfrey in a statement. “As I have learned in the last 15 months, a new network launch is always a challenge and ratings grow over time as you continue to gather an audience. I’m grateful to Rosie and the dedicated Rosie Show team for giving it their all.”
Added O’Donnell: “I loved working with Oprah in the amazing city of Chicago. I was welcomed with open arms and will never forget the kindness of all I encountered. It was a great year for me -- I wish the show was able to attract more viewers -- but it did not. So I am headed back to my home in New York -- with gratitude. On we go!”
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