'TV magic': Variety cheers for Rosie O'Donnell comeback following Kimmel fill-in

Does the collective anti-Trump narrative need a familiar face to give it a fresh push before midterms? Some certainly think so.

Rosie O’Donnell brought her tired brand of Trump Derangement Syndrome to the “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” show as a fill-in host.

Kimmel, who is equally seemingly possessed with deranged thoughts of President Trump 24/7, has been on sabbatical, but the show has kept its relentless drumbeat of doom and gloom and personal insults aimed at the White House alive with several temporary hosts.

O’Donnell, who self-deported to Ireland, has made a comeback of sorts as Kimmel’s fill-in, and has some at Variety Magazine rooting for more.

Rosie O’Donnell uses her opening monologue on Jimmy Kimmel Live to take shots repeatedly at President Trump.

“If you thought the president hated Jimmy Kimmel Live when it was hosted by Jimmy Kimmel, buckle up people.”

“A lot has changed since the 90s. Back then we had a… pic.twitter.com/txIQnpDmsx

— Reggie B. (@reggiebblue) August 18, 2026

“The comedian and Donald Trump antagonist just spent a week filling in for Jimmy Kimmel, and the results were TV magic,” Daniel D’Addario wrote. “Over four nights, O’Donnell … proved that she may yet have another act, and it may be on one of television’s grandest — diminished, but still grandest — stages.”

Rosie O’Donnell just spent a week filling in for Jimmy Kimmel, and the results were TV magic.

Over four nights, O’Donnell, the 1990s talk show host whose two stints on “The View” both fizzled out, proved that she may yet have another act, and it may be on one of television’s… pic.twitter.com/RgDzMZtRvv

— Variety (@Variety) August 24, 2026

The responses to Variety’s column, and the “TV magic” claim, drew some pretty hilarious and hard-hitting responses on X:

Joan Rivers shattered that particular glass ceiling.

— Rick Engstaedt 🏳️‍🌈✊ #ProtectTransKids (@RickEngstaedt) August 24, 2026

There’s that.

One thing we all gotta give Rosie credit for is that she has shitting on Trump for 20 years compared to the average TDS leftie who has only been doing it for 10 years.

— The Captain (@The43rdcaptain) August 24, 2026

If ripping Trump is the purpose and point for the host, then sure, O’Donnell has plenty of experience.

Great, let’s pump out an old relic from the 90s, except this time fueled by lesbian rage and TDS.

Has winner written all over it.

— EM71212 (@em71212) August 24, 2026