On the April 13 edition of "The View" co-executive producer Barbara Walters again washed her hands clean of Rosie O’Donnell’s extreme remarks. Barbara Walters, Rosie O’Donnell’s boss, stated bluntly: "I don’t have to take responsibility. I do not control you and you and I are still affectionate friends."
On the same week Rosie defended Don Imus’s "free speech," Walters may be responding to the mounting criticism of Rosie’s extreme comments. Rosie, for her part, exclaimed: "If you hate me, hate me, but leave my Barbara out of it!" The entire transcript is below.
ROSIE O’DONNELL: Now, are you still getting in trouble because of me with your friends? Are they still calling you, going, you know, what is that crazy woman saying?
BARBARA WALTERS: No.
O’DONNELL: No, good. Alright.
WALTERS: No, most of my friends -- no.
O’DONNELL: Because I worry about that, you know.
WALTERS: You worry about my friends?
O’DONNELL: I don't want people to say oh, you know, you're hurting Barbara Walters by being a big- you know, I’m like-
WALTERS: I know what you’re saying and we have said this before and we will say it again. I mean, there are people who say why didn't you tell Rosie to do this and why didn’t you tell her to do that because, after all, you're the co-executive producer and you're responsible. And I have said one of the things about working with Rosie is that she's always said you are responsible for what you say.
O’DONNELL: Yes.
WALTERS: I don’t have to take responsibility. I do not control you and you and I are still affectionate friends.
O’DONNELL: Correct. Don't bully Barbara. That’s what I say. If you hate me, hate me, but leave my Barbara out of it!
[applause]
