It’s splitsville between Rosie O’Donnell and ABC.
Following several days of uncertainty and turmoil in the wake of Wednesday’s on-air explosion between O’Donnell and co-host Elisabeth Hasselbeck on “The View,” O’Donnell today asked ABC for permission to leave the show.
The network agreed, which means O’Donnell’s tempestuous 10 months on the ABC talk show have come to an end and she will not be back to complete her final three weeks, which were supposed to end June 20.
“We had hoped that Rosie would be with us until the end of her contract three weeks from now,” said a prepared statement from Brian Frons, president of Disney-ABC’s Daytime Television Group. “But Rosie has informed us that she would like an early leave. Therefore, we part ways, thank her for her tremendous contribution to ‘The View’ and wish her well.”
“View” producer and co-host Barbara Walters, 77, also issued a statement giving herself credit for hiring O’Donnell.
“I brought Rosie to the show,” Walters said. “Rosie contributed to one of our most exciting and successful years at ‘The View.’ I am most appreciative. Our close and affectionate relationship will not change.”