Barack Obama - O'donnell: 'The View Was Too Fluffy For Obama'

Outspoken comedienne ROSIE O'DONNELL has blasted U.S. president BARACK OBAMA's decision to appear on U.S. TV's THE VIEW, insisting the magazine programme is too "fluffy" for a world leader.

Obama became the first sitting American president to guest on a daytime talk show when the pre-taped interview aired on Thursday (29Jul10), in which he discussed his family, politics and pop culture with the panel of female presenters, including Whoopi Goldberg and veteran newswoman Barbara Walters.

O'Donnell, a former co-host on The View, claims the president should have chosen a more reputable programme, like The Oprah Winfrey Show - but she insists she is pleased for her former colleagues.

Speaking on the Sirius XM radio show on Wednesday (28Jul10), she said, "I have mixed feelings about that (Obama's appearance). I don't really think sitting presidents should go do fluffy daytime TV shows. Maybe an hour on Oprah or something.

"I don't really want to see him on The View, although I'm happy for them (co-hosts). That's a good booking..."

O'Donnell quit The View in 2006 after clashing with her fellow panelists.