Liza Minnelli
ending the opening number seated in host Rosie
O'Donnell's lap and a much talked-about
striptease from 30 Rock star Jane Krakowski
couldn't help the one-off Rosie Live limp
across the finish line. The out lesbian's
much-publicized variety show landed with a thud Wednesday
night to dismal ratings.
Just 5 million
people watched Rosie sing and interact with a slew of
stars, including Clay Aiken, Ne-Yo, Gloria Estefan, and Alec
Baldwin. NBC tested the show the night before
Thanksgiving to see if fans of the outspoken
O'Donnell were interested in the variety show format.
They
weren't. After dismal reviews and lackluster ratings,
O'Donnell announced herself in a blog that
there wouldn't be a second show. She wrote:
"there will b no moreno ratings
bad reviews yet still
- a thrill 4 me."
Whether it was
O'Donnell or the format that kept audiences away
remains to be seen. The Osbournes will test out the
format next year with a similar special, scheduled to
air on Fox. (The Advocate)