Celebrity Detox Book Review

CELEBRITY DETOX BOOK SYNOPSIS

In Rosie's life there were two Barbara’s that were instrumental from the beginning. "Barbara Streisand was the genius incarnate, she was a goddess, while Barbara Walters proved that women could rise in this world" (3).

Celebrity Detox is a collection of Rosie O'Donnell's thoughts on leaving her popular day time television show, her time off, finding her Yellow, her family, her successful website/Blog, and finally her reentry into the limelight again on Barbara Walter's TV show, The View.

She tells us her story in a stream of consciousness style, with a rawness and honesty that can only be Rosie. "The View" forever changed Rosie's view! She explains how dissembling the lies took her to the truth and allowed her to discover a new path.

Rosie on The View
Rosie says she is a "fat-loud-tells-it-like-it-is-far-left liberal,” while Barbara Walters is a “petite, poised, cautious, polite hostess." So she wonders, "Why did we think this would work?" Easy answer, she wanted Barbara Walters to like her.

Rosie O'Donnell’s on edge personality comes out in Celebrity Detox and tells it like it was to be a part of the popular daytime show, the rifts, and the on air arguments with Elisabeth Hasselback, Donald Trump and Kelly Ripa. She delves into the "fame game" and philosophizes on the toxic effects of being a celebrity.

QUEENIE B SAYS

Brazenly honest about others and herself, full of truths and self recognition, Rosie tells it like it is. And when doesn't she? Ah, but isn't that the beauty of Rosie in a fake world of glitz and fame? She is the real deal.

I like what she says about “celebrityhood,” that your head begins to believe the inflations of self, pride, and uniqueness. You believe in the iconic emblem as yourself and forget who you truly are. "The steady stream of praise is like a drug. Celebrity Addiction.

The Fame Game
I loved the book. Give Rosie another shot if she irritated you during her stint on The View. I think you will see the true person she continues to strive to be. Rosie has integrity in a world of glamour and notoriety. In going back to television, Rosie says her intent was to “not lose herself in the world of fame, to "challenge the image" the country has of celebrities, to work with talented people, to laugh and to not get lost."

The karma was bad, from the beginning I think. I believe Rosie was just too gung-ho, too open and honest to be on a show that was poised as more light hearted and not too in depth. Rosie was at a stage in her life where the in-depth side of things were what matters most to her. Her desire to tell the truth is not always received well. She rubs people the wrong way, for example, Donald Trump. It’s love or hate with Rosie. She is neither a "Parrot or a Puppet" as she says in her own words.

I have a new found view of Rosie O'Donnell after reading her book. I think you will too. I fully plan to become an active member of the Rosie O’Donnell blog.

My advice to Rosie, read Shirley MacLaine.....you will love her !!

CELEBRITY DETOX DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1. Did reading the book change your attitude towards Rosie O'Donnell?
2. The Fame Game as Rosie calls it. What stars do you think are caught up in this? What stars do you think have kept their integrity and lives in perspective?
3. Did Barbara Walters sell out Rosie on the show? As a friend? As a fellow woman?