Oprah Winfrey OWNS PINK SLIPPERS and Passed Them Out to ROSIE O’DONNELL & 30 Others
Oprah Winfrey OWNS PINK SLIPPERS and Passed Them Out to ROSIE O'DONNELL & 30 Others
Oprah's OWN Network announced Friday that Rosie O'Donnell got the pink slip and now it turns out that 30 other employees at OWN Network have received their pink slips as well. The network has been struggling in the ratings since its inception and so has "The Rosie O'Donnell Show". Reports had surfaced previously that there were problems behind the scenes of the Rosie Show.
TMZ reports people from at least three departments got the ax including two high ranking executives with many years of experience. The firings were said to be done "respectfully" with each person being called in individually and explained the situation face to face. Sources said employees drank beer on Friday to celebrate the firing of Rosie.
Many of the staff members of the Rosie Show called working conditions at the show a "hell hole". Radaronline is reporting:
"Winfrey did call Rosie to tell her that the show was being canceled and "it was a very strained conversation, obviously," according to a source close to the situation. Oprah wanted to handle the announcement of the cancelation in a professional and dignified manner. Rosie thanked Oprah for the opportunity and ended the conversation very abruptly. OWN's public relations team and Rosie's publicist handled the language in the press release. Rosie didn't like the initial language of the press release because she felt that it placed sole responsibility of the failure of the show on her. Oprah didn't need to get Rosie's input or approval for the press release, but she was trying to be gracious. Up until the moment that the press release was sent out, Rosie wanted changes made, but Oprah instructed the release to go out, because it needed to go out, and she was just over "the drama".
Word is now that the two are no longer speaking and no longer friends.
Oprah's Press Release Statement read:
