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Originally published Tuesday, November 25, 2008 at 8:52 AM

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Will "Rosie Live" be anything more than a fun flop?

Will Rosie O'Donnell revive the variety format with her "Rosie Live" on NBC Wednesday, Nov. 26?

Newsday

Reason to watch "Rosie Live," 8 p.m. Wednesday on NBC: For Liza Minnelli/Rosie O'Donnell fans; plus, to conclusively answer some questions, such as: Can the old-time TV variety show come back? Can Ro host a live hour with a "topical monologue" without getting just one teeny little dig at the outgoing Bush administration, or the ladies of "The View" or ... ?

What it's about: This variety hour is actually even more of a potpourri than the form normally suggests, with song and dance (Rosie opens with a number from Minnelli's "The Act," in which Minnelli also performs); sketch comedy; a "spectacular array" of guest celebrities (per the press release); and even a "prime-time giveaway," in which members of the audience at New York's Little Shubert Theatre and at home win "prizes." (Note: "Oprah's Favorite Things" telecast also airs Wednesday.)

Some of the stars in the house include Kathy Griffin, Jane Krakowski and Alec Baldwin. Said O'Donnell in a conference call the other day, the ladies are "going to do prepared comedic segments with me that are not really sketches in the vein of 'Mama's Family' [from "The Carol Burnett Show"], that are more along the lines of the sit-down panel on 'The Tonight Show,' only standing up and performing."

Bottom line: This will be either a fiasco or a fun and worthwhile flop. But generating hit numbers the night before Thanksgiving? If that happens, I will eat the Little Shubert, brick by brick. "Bon appétit, Gay," you may say, but I'm still going with the fun-flop theory. Minnelli's presence — however wonderful and intriguing that will doubtless be — is basically a promotional warm-up for her "Liza's at the Palace!," which opens next week. (Not that there's anything wrong with that.) Krakowski/Baldwin/Griffin? NBC (and Bravo) in-house promos. Whatever. Here's the standout problem. Gifted, funny and smart as she may well be, Rosie is her opinions, and her opinions, are her. She's a talk-show doyenne — not a variety doyenne.

Copyright © 2008 The Seattle Times Company

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Comments
Another flop I'm sure. That woman will scare away anyone that does not goose step along side her. At one time she was funny but then she...  Posted on November 25, 2008 at 11:54 AM by guategordon. Jump to comment
I Just saw the Rosie live show. It was great! Just like the old variety shows of the 60s and 70s. Looking forward to the next one hope it works...  Posted on November 26, 2008 at 6:08 PM by Danny boy. Jump to comment
Just watched the show! A "Fun Flop"..... more like just a FLOP...there was nothing fun or funny about it. What a BORE!!! I will watch...  Posted on November 26, 2008 at 6:24 PM by TWM07. Jump to comment

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