Ratings, conflict up with O’Donnell

Three months into the Reign of Rosie, “The View” has become must-see TV. But is it the type of viewing that series creator Barbara Walters was bargaining for?

Rosie O’Donnell’s inclusion in the daytime chat show’s cast has boosted ratings but seemingly brought along a controversy du jour, the latest being this week’s verbal mud fight between O’Donnell and Donald Trump that started with his backing of Miss USA after reports of her underage drinking.

Since joining in September, O’Donnell has also made waves by accusing Kelly Ripa of homophobia, mocking spoken Chinese and later apologizing, saying actions by Oprah Winfrey and pal Gayle King were “very typical of gay relationships” and saying that “radical Christianity is just as threatening as radical Islam.”

She also has brought renewed attention, rare for any program in its 10th season. The show’s typical audience of 3.3 million this season is up 13% over the same period in 2005, according to Nielsen Media Research.

In a statement this week, Walters said she regretted the friction between O’Donnell and Trump but added that she did not regret her decision to bring O’Donnell on board.