OnlineHost: Your host today is AOLiveMC1 (Rusti I).
AOLiveMC1: Welcome to America Online, Rosie O'Donnell.
TheR0SIE: HELLO, ALL. ALL CAPS TONIGHT. HOPE YOU DON'T MIND.
AOLiveMC1: Here's our first question, Rosie.
TheR0SIE: 2500! WOW! GO ON. READY!
Question: Rosie, you mentioned on your show that doing kissing scenes in movies gave you the tingles. Were you speaking of your "Slave Man, Tommy" from ETE by any chance? ; )
TheR0SIE: WELL, TOMMY WAS MY ONLY ON SCREEN KISS. I DID GET TO MAKE OUT DURING "GREASE" ON BROADWAY. I THINK YOU DO FEEL THE TINGLES, CAMERA OR NOT.
Question: Rosie, I was wondering: What was your first acting job and how old were you? Thanks. Denise.
TheR0SIE: WELL, DENISE, I WAS ON "GIMME A BREAK" WITH NELL CARTER IN 1986. THAT WAS MY FIRST PROFESSIONAL GIG, ACTING WISE.
Question: Rosie, I know you have received lots of mail concerning "SOS" and the cancellation of the animated program "Sailor Moon." What is your reaction to all of this?
TheR0SIE: WILL WE HIT 3000? I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT "SAILOR MOON" IS. SORRY. WHAT IS "SOS?" I KNOW "PAPER MOON." TATUM O'NEAL.
AOLiveMC1: Here's a nice comment:
Question: Rosie, I am a mom of three, a teacher, a technology guru, an author. I sing for fun, and I cannot thank you enough for what you are doing for the children around the world. You are fun and witty! You are giving dignity to your profession and to authors. I could go on and on. Diann.
TheR0SIE: THANKS, DI. I DO FEEL HONORED TO BE GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO ADDRESS SO MANY. MOSTLY OUR KIDS AND I AM HAVING FUN. THE FACT THAT YOU ALL ARE ENJOYING IT IS AN ADDED PLUS. THANKS.
Question: Being in the public eye, what keeps you from becoming like other Hollywood actresses and staying so normal and down to earth? That is your success line!
TheR0SIE: I DON'T KNOW. I HAVE ALWAYS FELT MORE LIKE AN AUDIENCE MEMBER THAN A PERFORMER. I DON'T KNOW HOW OR WHY, BUT IT IS MY TRUTH. AND I THINK IT IS A BLESSING IN MANY WAYS.
Question: Rosie, would you like to adopt more children?
TheR0SIE: WOW! 3000! ALERT THE MEDIA!
TheR0SIE: YES, I WOULD. MANY MORE.
Question: Hey, Rosie! Just a quick question. The boards have been a buzz about you having Lucy Lawless on your Friday, Aug. 16 show. Is it true? I couldn't find her listed on your scheduled list of guests. Thanks and keep up the good work! MSnaring@AOL.
TheR0SIE: YES, LUCY LAWLESS IS ON BUT WILL NOT BE IN COSTUME. :) THIS FRI.
Question: I am here with a 5 year-old girl and a 4 year-old boy. They would like to tell you that they really like your singing. And could you please sing "Old McDonald Had A Farm" on your show some time? Also they would like to know your favorite color is.
TheR0SIE: FAVORITE COLOR IS BLUE. I WILL SING "OLD MAC" TOMORROW.
Question: Rosie, I was wondering if you are going to the Clinton's' birthday party?
TheR0SIE: YES, I AM GOING TO THE PRESIDENT'S BIRTHDAY BASH. I WILL BE PERFORMING ALONG WITH WHOOPI AND TONY BENNETT.
Question: Do you love doing what you do?
TheR0SIE: YES, I DO. I AM LUCKY IN THAT WAY.
Question: Rosie, how do you pick the announcers for your show?
TheR0SIE: THE WARM-UP GUY, JOEY COLA, PICKS 'EM. I HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH IT.
Question: Rosie, how do I get to be a guest on your show? Can we sing a Streisand duet together?
TheR0SIE: WELL, WE ARE GONNA HAVE A WRITE-IN CONTEST, "WHY I SHOULD BE A GUEST." IF YOU WIN, WE CAN SING BABS.
Question: You are a remarkable person. almost a super hero! How do you juggle being a mother, having a career, see Broadway shows, read books, travel, and still be so funny, lovable and down-to-earth! ( I'm exhausted just thinking about it!) Don't ever change.
TheR0SIE: WELL, THANKS. IF YOU SAW ME IN AN OFF MOMENT, YOU WOULDN'T THINK SO. I AM LUCKY, I THINK, TO HAVE THIS BEAUTIFUL BOY AND A JOB THAT I LOVE THAT LETS ME BE WITH HIM. READING IS MY PASSION, AND JUGGLING IS POSSIBLE WITH PRACTICE.
Question: Hi, Rosie. I was second on that phone list when you called Jimmy! Please! My son 10 years old is still waiting ,thinking you will call him! PLEASE try. D He's. Driving me NUTS! Also read your e-mail. The box is full, and Tommy can't send the letter to you!
TheR0SIE: THE E-MAIL THING IS A PROBLEM. WE HAVE TO GET SOMEONE TO HELP ME WITH IT. AS FOR YOUR SON, HMMM. ARE YOU I-HOP LADY? FAX YOUR NUMBER TO THE SHOW, AND I WILL CALL HIM.
Question: I look like you at 12. Can I play you in a TV movie about your life?
TheR0SIE: SURE, IF THEY EVER MAKE ONE. DO YOU LIKE DRAKE'S CAKES? IT IS A REQUIREMENT, AND YOU MAY HAVE TO GROW A CHIN HAIR.
Question: I'm not sure if this is too personal, but I was wondering if the ring you wear used to be your mom's. If you choose not to answer, I understand.
TheR0SIE: NO, I HAD A RING OF MY MOM'S, AND IT WAS STOLEN WHEN I WENT SKIING 6 YEARS AGO. I GOT THIS ONE INSTEAD.
Question: Have you talked to Meatloaf since the show ? What did you do with the tickets?
TheR0SIE: DIDN'T TALK TO MEAT. DIDN'T GO TO HIS SHOW. HE IS A WILD GUY. THAT WAS OUR WEIRDEST SHOW, BY FAR. HE'S AN OKAY GUY. JUST A BIT WACKY THAT DAY.
Question: Rosie, could you talk some about funny things your son does? I have 2 kids, 2 years and 3 months.
TheR0SIE: WELL, I WORRIED THAT MY BOY WOULD BECOME CODY ESQ., SO I TRY TO STAY AWAY FROM HIS PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT DETAILS. HE IS, HOWEVER, ADORABLE.
Question: Hi, Rosie, it was great to see you in "Another Stakeout." You are my favorite, and I feel about Richard Dreyfuss the way you feel about Tom Cruise. I was wondering if he's fun to work with and a nice guy.
TheR0SIE: RICHARD IS THE NICEST AND THE SMARTEST GUY I HAVE EVER WORKED WITH. HE IS A DEDICATED DAD AND A REMARKABLE FRIEND. I ADORE HIM.
Question: Rosie, did you ever meet Lucille Ball in person?
TheR0SIE: ONE TIME IN PASSING, AND I DIDN'T GET TO SPEAK WITH HER. SHE WAS DOING THAT SERIES THAT ONLY LASTED 4 WEEKS, 1989, I THINK. SHE WAS THE BEST.
Question: Rosie, will you do a week of shows in Los Angeles so we can see you live?
TheR0SIE: YES, A WEEK IN LA IS PLANNED FOR FEBRUARY.
Question: Rosie, we love you in RI! When will you get a copy of the "Providence Journal" for your opening?
TheR0SIE: SEND ONE IN. I WILL GLADLY USE IT. MY SIS WENT TO PC.
Question: If you could have any three guests from the history of the world on your show, who would they be and why?
TheR0SIE: HELLO, EVERYONE. NOT GETTING A QUESTION IN? JESUS CHRIST, MARTIN LUTHER KING AND GEORGE BURNS.
Question: Rosie, what is your favorite toy? Mine is Buzz Lightyear.
TheR0SIE: WHEN I WAS A KID, IT WAS KER PLUNK. NOW THAT I AM AN ADULT, HAPPY MEAL TOYS.
Question: How can we get tickets to your show?
TheR0SIE: GO TO KEYWORD: ROSIE. THEY TELL YOU HOW.
Question: How much time do you spend on AOL a week?
TheR0SIE: ABOUT AN HOUR A DAY.
Question: Will you ever have a Rosie-look-a-like contest?
TheR0SIE: YES, AND FOLKS CAN SEND IN PHOTOS. WE WILL PICK 10, AND THE AUDIENCE WILL DECIDE THE WINNER IN NOVEMBER.
Question: When, if ever, will we be able to buy your jackets?
TheR0SIE: I BOUGHT THOSE JACKETS FOR THE STAFF AS A "HEY-HELLO" GIFT. THEY ARE NOT AVAILABLE FOR SALE. BUT WE MAY MAKE MORE CAUSE PEOPLE ARE ASKING FOR 'EM.
Question: Are you still going to be doing films or is it too much with your schedule, the show and your son? If so, will you miss doing films?
TheR0SIE: I WILL MISS DOING MOVIES. I WILL ONLY DO SMALL PARTS LIKE "HARRIET THE SPY" OR "NOW AND THEN" OR "WIDE AWAKE" (OUT IN DECEMBER) CAUSE OF MY SCHEDULE.
Question: Everything is coming up, Rosie. Hey Rose, Ms. Trivia Buff, who played in "My Mother the Car?"
TheR0SIE: JERRY VAN DYKE.
Question: What would advice be to someone like me (age 15/f) who has a strong desire to go into comedy/acting?
TheR0SIE: TA DAH! I ADVISE TO GO TO COLLEGE AND GET A DEGREE CAUSE NO ONE WANTS A DUMB ACTRESS. AND THEN NEVER GIVE UP. STUDY, WATCH, LISTEN AND BELIEVE IN YOU.
Question: Do you really ride a motorcycle?
TheR0SIE: YES, I HAVE 2. ONE SUZUKI ( IN FLA.). ONE HONDA ( IN NY). .
Question: Rosie, do you like Robin Williams?
TheR0SIE: I LOVE HIM. HE BRILLIANT. NEVER MET HIM THOUGH.
Question: What was the movie you made that you dislike the most and why?
TheR0SIE: "CAR 54, WHERE ARE YOU." MY 1ST FILM. IT WAS A BAD MOVIE AND NOT A LOT OF FUN TO DO. AT LEAST I HAD A GOOD TIME DOING "EXIT TO EDEN," ALSO NOT A GREAT FILM.
Question: Hola, Rosie. Jen again. I am obsessed with AMC too. Who are your fave characters/story lines on the show? PS You ROCKED as Naomi!
TheR0SIE: I HAVE LOVED THAT SHOW FOR YEARS. TOM CUDAHEY, ERICA BROOKE, PHOEBE. LOVE 'EM ALL.
Question: Do you have a favorite basketball team? If so, will you have any of the members of the team as guests on your show?
TheR0SIE: LOVE THE KNICKS. NOT A HUGE BASKETBALL FAN.
Question: When can we expect a book from you?
TheR0SIE: NO, I HAD A DEAL TO WRITE ONE, BUT I WILL PUT IT OFF FOR A WHILE CAUSE THE PROSPECT IS A BIT DAUNTING FOR NOW.
Question: Is Letterman ever going to be a guest on the show?
TheR0SIE: I HOPE SO.
Question: Rosie, any advice to someone looking to adopt a child?
TheR0SIE: GO THROUGH AN AGENCY. ASK FRIENDS, WHO HAVE ADOPTED, HOW THEY DID IT. I DID IT THROUGH A LAWYER. THERE ARE MANY OPTIONS. THERE SHOULD BE AN ADOPTION CONSULTATION PLACE IN THE YELLOW PAGES IN YOUR TOWN.
Question: What was it like making the first Nickelodeon movie?
TheR0SIE: I HAD A BALL. I LOVE NICK. I LOVED "HARRIET THE SPY" WHEN I WAS A KID. I HAD FUN DOING THE FILM.
Question: Why did you change your hairdo? I liked it.
TheR0SIE: WHO KNOWS? I HAVE A HAIR GUY, DAVID. HE MAKES ALL THE DECISIONS.
Question: So, how much French do you really speak?
TheR0SIE: NONE.
Question: How old were you when you realized how creative you were? :)
TheR0SIE: I ALWAYS WANTED TO BE A PERFORMER SINCE I WAS 6 YEARS OLD.
Question: Rosie, you are so wonderful with children. You don't talk down to them. I see a lot of posts on your message board from children saying how much they love you. Are you aware of how special you are with children? Love ya Rosie! Betsy.
TheR0SIE: I LOVE KIDS. ALWAYS HAVE. IT MEANS SO MUCH TO ME TO BRIGHTEN UP A KID'S DAY.
Question: I am a surgeon who was on vacation last week and fell in love with your show. It is intelligent and hilarious. Do you have any suggestions on how to deal with "Rosie Withdrawal?"
TheR0SIE: HAVE A YODEL AND CALL ME IN THE MORNING.
Question: How has your life changed since you began this show?
TheR0SIE: WELL, I HAVE LITTLE FREE TIME AND AM ALWAYS TIRED. BUT I AM HAVING A BLAST AND APPRECIATE ALL THE PEOPLE ON AOL POSTING AND WATCHING. THANKS A LOT. SEE YOU IN THE ROSIE ROOM. I WILL TRY TO ANSWER ALL MY MAIL. PROMISE.
Question: Rosie, can we do lunch the next time I'm home visiting my parents? :) Even better, do you have any jobs for a college graduate with a fabulous personality such as myself?
TheR0SIE: SEND A RESUME. LUNCH. HMMM. MCDONALD'S, PERHAPS?
Question: Rosie, I would like to make you a grilled cheese sandwich too! That little girl was precious on your show today! Do you plan on having a lot of children on? You have the most interesting things happening on your show! Betsy.
TheR0SIE: BETSY, I LOVE GRILLED CHEESE. SHE WAS ADORABLE, WASN'T SHE? I LOVE HAVING KIDS ON. WE HAVE A KID FROG JUMPING CONTEST THIS WEEK.
Question: I loved watching you on "Star Search." What did you do with the 100 grand? Did you meet Madonna on "A League of Their Own?" Will you be my best friend?
TheR0SIE: SURE. I WILL BE YOUR PAL. I MET MADONNA ON "LEAGUE." I LOST THE 100 GRAND ON "STAR SEARCH."
Question: Rosie, did you ever play sports when you were a kid? I play soccer, basketball and softball. You rock!! PEACE => @---->
TheR0SIE: YES, I PLAYED BASEBALL, BASKETBALL, FOOTBALL, KICKBALL.
Question: Out of all your movies, what character that you played did you like doing most?
TheR0SIE: DORIS MURPHY IN "LEAGUE."
Question: Rosie, will Donny be back on your show?
TheR0SIE: I HOPE SO. HE WAS A GOOD SPORT.
Question: Rosie, what is your work day like now? You had said that you wanted Kathie Lee's hours! Is it getting close to that? Betsy.
TheR0SIE: I WORK A LOT OF HOURS. WOULD LIKE TO LEAVE AT 1 PM, BUT IT HASN'T WORKED THAT WAY YET.
Question: Hey, Rosie. One of my favorite stars is Barbra Streisand too. Any hope of getting her on your show? Msnaring.
TheR0SIE: THAT WOULD BE A DREAM COME TRUE. I ADORE HER. SHE IS THE REASON I AM AN ENTERTAINER. SHE HAS A FILM OUT IN DECEMBER. MAYBE.
Question: Hey, Rosie. What's your favorite TV show of all time?
TheR0SIE: MARY TYLER MOORE.
Question: If you could have three wishes, what would you wish for?
TheR0SIE: THAT ALL KIDS WERE SAFE AND LOVED. THAT WE HAD A CURE FOR ALL DISEASES AND FOR 3 MORE WISHES.
Question: How does it feel to be a talk show host?
TheR0SIE: IT'S FUN AND A THRILL TO MEET MY CHILDHOOD IDOLS.
Question: Hi, Rosie. When did you decide to have your own talk show? I love the format and more importantly, LOVE YOU!
TheR0SIE: THANKS. WHEN MY BOY ARRIVED, I KNEW I NEEDED A JOB THAT WOULD ALLOW ME TO SEE HIM DAILY. THIS IS THE ONE I THOUGHT UP. SO IT WAS ABOUT A YEAR AGO.
Question: Rosie, can you please have the Beatles on your show before September 4th? My friends and I and also my family are huge fans. Thanks. I love ya.
TheR0SIE: THE BEATLES? I DOUBT IT. MAYBE ONE AT A TIME, IF WE ARE LUCKY, BUT NOT TOGETHER. THEY DON'T DO THAT.
Question: Would you ever consider visiting a university as a guest speaker about women and children's rights?
TheR0SIE: SURE. BUT TIME IS A PROBLEM RIGHT NOW. I HAVE SPOKEN AT EVENT, "THE STAND FOR CHILDREN RALLY" IN DC. WOMEN'S CONFERENCES, ETC. I ALWAYS WILL.
Question: Rosie, I love your show so much! Can you tell everyone on tomorrow's show that you were on AOL for me? And make a joke or whatever?
TheR0SIE: WILL DO.
Question: Hi, Rosie. I love your show. Are you making a movie?
TheR0SIE: NO, I HAVE A MOVIE OUT IN DECEMBER CALLED "WIDE AWAKE."
Question: Do you think you will be a little harder on the next Republican politician (if any) you have on the show? You showed a lot more restraint w/Molinari than I could have. I would have bombarded her w/questions, especially concerning the new welfare regs.
TheR0SIE: I KNOW, BUT WE ARE AN ENTERTAINMENT SHOW, NOT CROSSFIRE. I HAD TO BE CIVIL AND NOT BOMBARD HER WITH POINTED ACCUSATIONS ABOUT HER PARTY. IT WAS TOUGH.
OnlineHost: We have time for one more Question:
Question: Who was your role model when you were a kid?
TheR0SIE: BETTE MIDLER, BARBRA STREISAND AND MY 7 TH GRADE MATH TEACHER, PAT PICCOLO.
AOLiveMC1: Thanks for being such a great guest, Rosie. Any closing remarks?
TheR0SIE: I HAD A LOT OF FUN. SEE YOU ALL ONLINE, KEYWORD: ROSIE. I CRUISE THE ROOMS DAILY. THANKS. SORRY I DIDN'T GET TO ALL THE QUESTIONS. SEE YA.
AOLiveMC1: Thank you for an interesting and fun session, Rosie O'Donnell. And thank you to our audience members for being here.
OnlineHost: Don't forget to visit the Rosie area here on AOL, Keyword: ROSIE.
OnlineHost: Copyright 1996 America Online, Inc. All Rights Reserved.