Rosie on Kimmel’s Broadway Lineup!

Rosie O'Donnell hosts from Monday through Thursday. The nightly guest lineup includes:

• Monday, August 17: Hannah Waddingham and Ana Gasteyer, with musical guest The Linda Lindas

• Tuesday, August 18: Jean Smart and Richard Gadd, with musical guest Ashley McBryde

• Wednesday, August 19: Charlie Day and Janelle James

• Thursday, August 20: Megan Mullally and Nick Offerman, along with Shawn Hatosy, and musical guest Sydney James Harcourt

Bella Brown (EVITA in London) will be sitting in with the band all week.

https://abc.com/news/68511575-a83b-4225-a781-93dc02159c60/category/154926

Updated On: 8/17/26 at 11:47 AM

"I've got the dvr set for the entire week. Can't wait!"

No wonder we're friends. I've got my DVR set as well!!!

The reception Rosie got was great, and I was really happy to see her back on the air. I was all set and ready to be entertained. But then...

I thought her monologue was pretty poor. The Irish jokes weren't funny at all, and she seemed to completely lose both her timing, as well as the direction the jokes were going by the end. That final joke about the pharmacist's husband went nowhere and didn't really make any common sense, let alone comedic. Was she making a joke about the husband (Kevin), or Donald Trump crying in the White House?

But then Hannah Waddingham came out like a ray of sunshine. I love her work, and she was so uplifting and gracious.

I first saw her in London at the Cambridge Theatre in "The Beautiful Game", and I just finished watching all four seasons of "Sex Education" (a fantastic series which also features Gillian Anderson) on Netflix. Waddingham's Christmas special was a highlight for me last Christmas, too. ...and of course, Ted Lasso.

I appreciated Rosie's respectful mention of Hayden Panettiere that aired during the commercial break.

Anna Gasteyer's segment was also very enjoyable (and September L. Davis). I'll never tire of derogatory Trump references, and I'm looking forward to more throughout the week.

I agree that the monologue was weak. She has so much she could’ve said, and she said nothing. A big “eh.”

Peppa222 said: "Just for clarity, the Bella Brown sitting with the band all week is not the same Bella Brown from Evita."

quizking101 said: "She doesn’t necessarily have to get a gig because she has something to promote. It could be that she’s trying something out for the future, or maybe Jimmy just likes her and knows she has the bonafides and goodwill of enough people to carry the show for week.

Also, she basically saw everything she could in NYC while preparing for and doing her show. I’d argue that, even no longer being based near there, she could make a case to people to travel and actually see the shows that are still open.

As for the content of the show, I thought she was just fine for someone who hasn’t hosted a talk show in almost 30 years. She could’ve spent the entire time bashing Trump and instead chose to regale us with tales of her oddly poetic life in Ireland and the characters she has met along the way so far. I thought it was brilliantly done.

To that end, her and Ana Gasteyer going on about September L. Davis and committing to the bit for six whole minutes was absolutely hilarious."

Agree w your thoughtful notes, quizking. For someone being off US TV for so long, jumping back into the pool with a live, nationally broadcast late-night show would likely give anyone a bit of nerves.

But I thought she came off wonderfully, looked and sounded great, and absolutely warmed up as the evening went on; and while she weaved in the handful of political jabs that everyone was probably expecting, I too found it refreshing for such a thoughtful and fun monologue.

By the time the segment with Hannah was underway, I thought she was wonderful, and I'd like her and Ana to have a semi-recuring podcast. Also.

Am *very* excited to see her with lead guest Jean Smart tonight!

CoffeeBreak said: "O'Donnell's "team" is actively "taking meetings" according to her. It appears she is quite open to returning with a similar show (to her old) - daytime or evening. Her old network, a new - or a streamer could pick her up and it make sense for all involved. Kimmel is a reminder"

I really do hope it happens, because I don’t think theater kids today really understand the impact that the original “Rosie O’Donnell Show” had on Broadway. We don’t see a lot of talk shows (especially late night) highlighting up and coming talent just as much as they would for the biggest A-list celebrity.

Updated On: 8/18/26 at 02:53 PM

Rosie’s priority is her 13 year old child, which was the primary reason she chose to move to Ireland after that person became President. She’s only here in the US working and this gig co-hosting Jimmy Kimmel is her last commitment (she flies back to Ireland the next morning). She’s mentioned she wouldn’t mind returning to doing a morning talk show but not a nightime talk show. She’s happy living in Ireland and has adjusted so the logistics are complicated on where it would be taped unless she chooses to do a Graham Norton Show concept and be once a week which would allow a group a guests per episode and flying them out to Ireland is logistically possible.