Comedienne Rosie O'Donnell has suffered a professional set-back,
this week - after her talk-show was dropped from Oprah Winfrey's
OWN network.
The Rosie Show - which premiered just five months ago - was
pulled after declining ratings and rumours of unprofessional
behaviour from the 49 year-old performer.
The series originally aired to 500,000 viewers, but that number
has since declined to 150,000 per episode, despite its prime-time
slot.
The final episode of the Chicago-based program will be recorded
tomorrow and will air on 30 March, according to sources.
Winfrey's network issued a statement on Friday confirming the
news, which preceded a personal message from the television mogul
herself.
"I thank Rosie from the bottom of my heart for joining me on
this journey," she said. "She has been an incredible partner,
working to deliver the best possible show every single day."
O'Donnell returned the compliment in her own statement, saying:
"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!"
However, a number of sources claim production staff on the show
are relieved to be free from various tensions on-set.
One staff member allegedly told The Daily Beast that "It was a
f**king hellhole" over claims that O'Donnell frequently humiliated
staff by shouting at them.
O'Donnell was formerly a staff-member on The View, but left
following a heated exchange with a co-host.
Photo from Wikipedia.
