Entertainment

Russell Brand named Rosie O’Donnell’s first guest on new talk show

CHICAGO — British funnyman Russell Brand will be the first guest to stop by Rosie O’Donnell’s new talk show on OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network, the cable channel announced Thursday.

O’Donnell is “fascinated” by Brand, according to a statement, and the talk show host will interview the comedian on her cable debut on Monday, October 10 at 7pm ET.

Winfrey’s cable venture has been lagging in the ratings since it launched in January and the media mogul is reportedly counting on O’Donnell to save the sinking ship.

The joint venture between Winfrey’s Harpo Productions and Discovery Communications has already gone through more than $150 million in start-up money but has yet to produce a single hit show.

Winfrey, 57, has been upfront about the challenges of running a network since she took over as CEO in July, following her departure from her hit daytime talk show in May after 25 years.

“I will say this; it’s 10 times harder than doing my daily show. Doing that show felt like breathing everyday. Now I’m in so many meetings I sometimes have to step out and catch a breath,” she wrote in a Facebook posting in August.

“Everyone in the cable business told me it would take 3 years. Some said 5 … I see every challenge as an opportunity. So no shortage of opportunities here,” she added.