Rosie O’Donnell will temporarily take over hosting duties on “Jimmy Kimmel Live” during the week of August 17 while Kimmel takes his summer vacation. The offer marked an unexpected turn in their relationship, as O’Donnell and Kimmel had previously maintained what she characterized as an adversarial dynamic, despite never having spoken directly until recently.
O’Donnell expressed genuine surprise at receiving the invitation, noting that she and Kimmel had rarely interacted beyond occasional encounters at industry events. Their connection shifted following her outreach to Kimmel after the death of his Uncle Frank Potenza. When her publicist informed her of the guest-hosting opportunity, O’Donnell initially questioned whether the offer was authentic. She ultimately accepted, citing her appreciation for Kimmel’s commitment to free speech and his willingness to address political matters through comedy.
Beyond the hosting gig, O’Donnell voiced concerns about media consolidation, specifically addressing proposed ownership changes at major news organizations. She warned that billionaire investor David Ellison’s anticipated acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, which includes CNN, could dramatically reshape the media landscape. Drawing parallels to recent changes at CBS News and “60 Minutes,” O’Donnell characterized such developments as troubling for journalistic independence and editorial standards.
Originally reported by Variety →
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