NBC Comes Up Rosie With Variety Special

O'Donnell to host hourlong live holiday special that may turn into series

Showbiz feuds may come and go, but Rosie O'Donnell and TV hosting gigs are here for the long run.

The erstwhile Queen of Nice—or piggishness, if you're Donald Trump or perhaps Elisabeth Hasselbeck—is returning to the airwaves just in time for the holidays, signing on to host Rosie's Variety Show as a one-off special for NBC.

The hourlong show, airing live Nov. 26—the night before Thanksgiving—could develop into a regular series should enough Nielsen-boxed viewers tune in to the program.

O'Donnell and NBC seem to be throwing everything they can into the show to ensure a something-for-everyone appeal.

"This is a dream come true for any performer," O'Donnell said. "Old-time variety, live from New York with a nod to Ed Sullivan, Carol Burnett and memories of Sonny and Cher."

In addition to the undeniable draw of O'Donnell as host, the special will include a topical monologue, as-yet-unannounced celebrity guests, musical acts, comedy skits and, what no Rosie show would be complete without, prize giveaways for the home and studio audiences.

Per Variety, not all details have yet been ironed out, though a repertory cast is expected to put on the sketches and a house band is also being considered.

No word yet on whether Koosh balls will also play a role.

In addition to hosting duties, O'Donnell will also executive produce the potentially expanding show, which trumps (as it were) another anticipated live variety show hosted by Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne on Fox.

No airdate for the competition has been set, but the Osbournes' attempt at old-fashioned entertainment was expected to air later this winter or next spring.

Though according to fellow executive producer David Friedman, it's the more the merrier on the variety circuit.

"This is a genre that everybody is anticipating is going to come back," he told the Hollywood Reporter. "Rosie sort of invented the daytime variety show. Without question, Rosie is the right person to bring this back."

The show will air live from New York at the family-friendly 8 p.m. hour.