Rosie O’Donnell joined Andy Cohen to reflect on her time as a daytime talk show host
One of the comedian’s favorite interviews was with Julie Andrews in 1997
The former View host has even affectionately named a backyard squirrel after Andrews
Rosie O’Donnell is reflecting on her time as a ‘90s talk show host.
The comedian, 63, appeared on SiriusXM’s Andy Cohen Live’s May 8 episode and looked back on her daytime TV show. Over its six-year run, The Rosie O’Donnell Show gave her “so many” pinch-me moments on set, she said. One particular guest, Walter Cronkite, had her questioning everything.
“I was sitting there going, ‘Whose life is this?’ ” the mom of five recalled about the interview with the legendary journalist and CBS Evening News anchor.
Another memorable backstage encounter: former Vice President Al Gore.
“I remember going into the dressing room to go ‘Come on now, we got to really rally for the democrats,’ ” O’Donnell said. Instead, “He’s like, ‘What tie do you think I should wear?’ ” O’Donnell remembered, while doing her best Gore impression.
“This is not my life,” O’Donnell thought to herself. “It was very surreal.”
But, the moment that really takes the cake is singing with Julie Andrews.
“The Sound of Music is my favorite film,” the former View host told Cohen. “I always wanted her to marry my dad and become my mom.”
Warner Bros.
Julie Andrews on ‘The Rosie O’Donnell Show’ in 1997
The moment came back to her like it was yesterday. The Mary Poppins star appeared on the Rosie O’Donnell Show’s Jan. 31, 1997, episode to promote the Broadway run of Victor/Victoria. During the interview, the host joined the musical theater legend to sing “My Favorite Things.”
“When she put her hand in her hair and put her elbow up just like she does in the opening of The Sound of Music, I lost my place,” she explained. “I kind of lost my breath.”
The same thing happened when Florence Henderson, Carol Brady from The Brady Bunch, came on the show. O’Donnell described her as “another person I wanted to be my mom.”
“It just was anotherworldly experience for a kid from Commack, Long Island, who dreamed of this her whole entire life,” she nodded.
Jennifer Graylock/NBCUniversal via Getty; Stefanie Keenan/Getty for ELLE
L: Andy Cohen; R: Rosie O’Donnell
The comedian’s love for Andrews runs even deeper. The star, an active TikTok user, affectionately named a backyard squirrel after The Princess Diaries actress.
“I like that Julie Andrews, a lot of spunk,” she described the animal in a Feb. 2, 2024, TikTok. “I love spunk, I do.”
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O’Donnell stopped by Andy Cohen Live to promote her new Hulu documentary, Unleashing Hope: The Power of Service Dogs for Children with Autism. PEOPLE exclusively premiered the trailer on April 15.
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