The first episode resuming taping in the regular studio featured a beginning scene reminiscent of The Wizard of Oz, in which Rosie awakens from a dream.

It was too late, however, as a television camera caught a brief shot of the letter, and within days, savvy viewers distributed its contents.

She had guest hosts take her place, including Joy Behar, Meredith Vieira, Barbara Walters, Kathy Griffin, Marie Osmond, Jane Krakowski, Ana Gasteyer and Caroline Rhea.

The conclusion of the show featured a clip of Tom Cruise mowing a lawn, who then stops to look at the camera and says, "Rosie, I cut your grass, and here is your lemonade."

Remaining new, but pre-taped, episodes continued to air until June 27, 2002, the last with guest host Caroline Rhea.

The show was revived for one night only March 22, 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, with an all-star lineup of guests raising money for the Actors Fund of America.

Topics often discussed on the show include Broadway, children, extended families and charitable works, people and organizations.

O'Donnell was known for keeping a light-hearted nature during the show as she playfully interviewed her guests and interacted with her audience.

O'Donnell commented on the DVD release of first season highlights that producers were not keen on this opening but Rosie insisted upon it as she enjoyed being able to talk to a "real person" every show.

A long-running segment of the show involved telling jokes that children from around the United States mailed into the studio.

In February 1997, the mouthwash brand Scope released a list of the "least kissable celebrities," to which O'Donnell was ranked number one.

[8] Early on, O'Donnell was dubbed "The Queen of Nice" by Newsweek magazine for her sweet personality, which was in stark contrast to many other talk shows of the era.

A compilation of highlights of the show's first season was available for sale in September 2008, exclusively from the Home Shopping Network.

Included are Tom Cruise's first visit, Fran Drescher's parents reviewing Florida restaurants, and the incident in which Donny Osmond made a fat joke at Rosie's expense.