O'Donnell Leaving 'The View'

ByABC News
April 25, 2007, 9:57 AM

April 25, 2007 — -- ABC has been unable to come to a contractual agreement with Rosie O'Donnell. As a result, her hosting duties on "The View" will come to an end mid-June.

"They wanted me three years, I wanted one year, and it just didn't work," said O'Donnell on today's show.

Despite controversy -- or maybe because of it -- O'Donnell was good business for ABC, owned by the Walt Disney Co. Ratings for "The View" during February sweeps were up 15 percent in key women demographics over the same time in 2006.

Those fans don't have to worry -- she will still be on the show in smaller doses.

"I'm not going away. I'm just not going to be here every day," added O'Donnell.

According to Barbara Walters, creator and co-executive producer of "The View," the co-host will be missed.

"We have had, to say the least, an interesting year an exciting, fun-filled, provocative year. We have all gotten together and you will be missed," Walters said, adding, "I do not participate in the negotiations for Rosie. It was between your representatives and agents. This is not my doing."

Brian Frons, the president of daytime programming for the Disney-ABC Television Group, told ABCNEWS.com, "Going in we knew we would have an amazing year with her, and that anything beyond that would be gravy...So here we are a year later, and while we've tried to come to terms on a deal that would extend her co-hosting duties on 'The View,' we find ourselves unable to agree on some key elements."

ABC executives weren't the only ones unable to agree on "key elements" with O'Donnell. The co-host and comedian has been the subject of recent headlines for her ongoing feud with real estate mogul Donald Trump, and a dispute with Bill O'Reilly over the war in Iraq.

Trump and O'Donnell butted heads when O'Donnell called him a "snake oil salesman," after he announced he would not fire scandal-plagued Miss USA Tara Conner. Trump threatened to sue O'Donnell, but later backed down. Conner's crown was in jeopardy after a bout of underage drinking and substance abuse, but Trump gave her a second chance.

Trump pushed Walters to fire O'Donnell for her wayward comments, even saying, "And here's my prediction. She will have a huge fight ultimately with Barbara Walters, and she will be fired."

On today's show, in response to O'Donnell's announcement, comedian and co-host Joy Behar had something to say about Trump. Behar said, "Donald Trump, he's on a ledge right now, thinking how am I going to resuscitate 'The Apprentice' now?"