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American Morning

Rosie Lawsuit

Aired November 06, 2003 - 07:16   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


SOLEDAD O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: And now to the not-so-civil court case, pitting Rosie O'Donnell against the company that published her now-defunct magazine. They are suing each other for breach of contract. O'Donnell is expected to testify perhaps as early as today.
CNN's Mary Snow reports on yesterday's courtroom drama.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MARY SNOW, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Day four of Rosie O'Donnell's court battle with the publishing company, G&J. They've sued each other over editorial control of the now-defunct magazine, "Rosie."

The testimony has been emotional as witnesses tell of alleged heated exchanges in the day after new editor-in-chief Susan Toepfer was hired.

G&J CEO Daniel Brewster testified he was told about a -- quote -- "monster blowout" between O'Donnell and Toepfer over the use of this photo for the cover of the magazine. Brewster said it led to O'Donnell demanding Toepfer be fired after three days on the job, something he called ridiculous.

Brewster testified O'Donnell quit during a conference call, saying -- quote -- "I will ruin you, I will ruin G&J. If it takes every last cent, I will take you down."

Also on the call, Cindy Spengler, chief marketing officer at Gruner & Jahr. She testified O'Donnell called her that night and told her that her failure to support O'Donnell was -- quote -- "as good as lying." She testified O'Donnell said, do you know what happens when people lie? They get sick and they get cancer. Spengler, who says she is a breast cancer survivor, broke down on the stand.

After court, O'Donnell said she apologized for the comment.

ROSIE O'DONNELL, ENTERTAINER: When I was aware that Ms. Spengler interpreted my remarks in the way she did, I apologized to her next morning, the first thing when I saw her. And she never ever cried about it on the phone or to me, not that I diminish her crying now, because that's an unbelievably painful thing. I know. It's the monster that took my mom.

SNOW: Rosie O'Donnell could take the stand as early as today. As lawyers for Gruner & Jahr wind down their case, O'Donnell's lawyers plan to call her as their first witness. (END VIDEOTAPE)

But before that happens, the Daniel Brewster, the CEO of G&J, is expected to take the stand, and a spokesperson for O'Donnell saying today that she is expected to testify this afternoon -- Soledad.

O'BRIEN: All right, very much.

"Celebrity Justice" correspondent Carolina Buia has been in court every day since the trial began, and she's been talking with O'Donnell as well, and she's here to give us a little fill-in on what's going on behind the scenes.

Good morning. Nice to see you.

CAROLINA BUIA, "CELEBRITY JUSTICE" CORRESPONDENT: How are you? Good to see you.

O'BRIEN: I'm doing great, thanks.

Well, I mean, the drama in this courtroom really to a large degree has nothing to do with the actual facts of the case.

BUIA: No. And yesterday was one of the most dramatic days thus far, and Rosie hasn't even taken the stand yet.

O'BRIEN: We're talking about a breach of contract dispute.

BUIA: Correct, correct.

O'BRIEN: But they're trying to paint a picture of a woman who was out of control, incredibly mean, and we heard, as we just heard from Mary's package, saw Cindy Spengler on the stand sobbing, a breast cancer survivor. You know, the emotion in the courtroom is very strong. But you say afterwards, there was sort of an interesting exchange between Rosie and Cindy.

BUIA: Sure. It was during the lunch recess. First, there was a recess when Cindy started crying and the judge called for a 10-minute recess. And then we had our lunch recess, and they met head-to-head, and Rosie herself got a little teary-eyed, put her hand over her heart and said, you did good today. Really, you did good. And Cindy just lost it.

O'BRIEN: Oh, started crying.

BUIA: Cindy just lost it. She was going downstairs. She was trying to get away from cameras, and then she went back upstairs to the bathroom on the second floor, and you can only imagine. I guess because Cindy was her buffer. She was sort of the bridge that linked her to Gruner & Jahr's CEO, Mr. Brewster, and, you know, the bridge between Rosie and her cadre of advisors and her brother and her publicist.

O'BRIEN: O'Donnell speaks to reporters, I've read, every day.

BUIA: Sure.

O'BRIEN: And makes time almost to talk to every single reporter who is there covering this trial, which, of course, isn't brilliant media strategy...

BUIA: Oh, absolutely.

O'BRIEN: ... and she's traveling with her publicist all of the time.

BUIA: I know. And even in the courthouse, I mean, yesterday she sat where the press was seated and she talked to us for a little bit. I asked her about her new show, whether or not she was going to postpone it, what about if the trial isn't finished by next Thursday, which is when "Taboo" is supposed to open.

O'BRIEN: Right, the new show you're talking about is a show called "Taboo," which looks like -- if you believe the press reports -- it's a little bit of a disaster waiting to happen. Why not replace the director with another director that she seems to like better, at least that's sort of what the behind-the-scenes rumors are?

BUIA: Yes, behind the scenes, but, you know, Boy George -- this is a musical based on his life. It's already run in London. And he chose this director, and he's standing firm. Rosie said she is very happy with the show. Two days ago she actually sat in on rehearsals, and she feels that the only part that needs some tweaking is the end of the first act.

O'BRIEN: It might be bad PR also to yank a director, put in her own choice, especially at this time.

BUIA: Especially -- yes, especially after she wanted to yank the last executive editor from her magazine.

O'BRIEN: All right Carolina Buia, we're going to continue to talk to you about all of the twists and turns in this case. When do you think Rosie will be on the stand?

BUIA: You know, sources were saying Friday, but now it looks like she might not make it to the stand until Monday.

O'BRIEN: We will see. Thanks so much.

BUIA: We definitely will.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com.







Aired November 6, 2003 - 07:16   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
SOLEDAD O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: And now to the not-so-civil court case, pitting Rosie O'Donnell against the company that published her now-defunct magazine. They are suing each other for breach of contract. O'Donnell is expected to testify perhaps as early as today.
CNN's Mary Snow reports on yesterday's courtroom drama.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MARY SNOW, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Day four of Rosie O'Donnell's court battle with the publishing company, G&J. They've sued each other over editorial control of the now-defunct magazine, "Rosie."

The testimony has been emotional as witnesses tell of alleged heated exchanges in the day after new editor-in-chief Susan Toepfer was hired.

G&J CEO Daniel Brewster testified he was told about a -- quote -- "monster blowout" between O'Donnell and Toepfer over the use of this photo for the cover of the magazine. Brewster said it led to O'Donnell demanding Toepfer be fired after three days on the job, something he called ridiculous.

Brewster testified O'Donnell quit during a conference call, saying -- quote -- "I will ruin you, I will ruin G&J. If it takes every last cent, I will take you down."

Also on the call, Cindy Spengler, chief marketing officer at Gruner & Jahr. She testified O'Donnell called her that night and told her that her failure to support O'Donnell was -- quote -- "as good as lying." She testified O'Donnell said, do you know what happens when people lie? They get sick and they get cancer. Spengler, who says she is a breast cancer survivor, broke down on the stand.

After court, O'Donnell said she apologized for the comment.

ROSIE O'DONNELL, ENTERTAINER: When I was aware that Ms. Spengler interpreted my remarks in the way she did, I apologized to her next morning, the first thing when I saw her. And she never ever cried about it on the phone or to me, not that I diminish her crying now, because that's an unbelievably painful thing. I know. It's the monster that took my mom.

SNOW: Rosie O'Donnell could take the stand as early as today. As lawyers for Gruner & Jahr wind down their case, O'Donnell's lawyers plan to call her as their first witness. (END VIDEOTAPE)

But before that happens, the Daniel Brewster, the CEO of G&J, is expected to take the stand, and a spokesperson for O'Donnell saying today that she is expected to testify this afternoon -- Soledad.

O'BRIEN: All right, very much.

"Celebrity Justice" correspondent Carolina Buia has been in court every day since the trial began, and she's been talking with O'Donnell as well, and she's here to give us a little fill-in on what's going on behind the scenes.

Good morning. Nice to see you.

CAROLINA BUIA, "CELEBRITY JUSTICE" CORRESPONDENT: How are you? Good to see you.

O'BRIEN: I'm doing great, thanks.

Well, I mean, the drama in this courtroom really to a large degree has nothing to do with the actual facts of the case.

BUIA: No. And yesterday was one of the most dramatic days thus far, and Rosie hasn't even taken the stand yet.

O'BRIEN: We're talking about a breach of contract dispute.

BUIA: Correct, correct.

O'BRIEN: But they're trying to paint a picture of a woman who was out of control, incredibly mean, and we heard, as we just heard from Mary's package, saw Cindy Spengler on the stand sobbing, a breast cancer survivor. You know, the emotion in the courtroom is very strong. But you say afterwards, there was sort of an interesting exchange between Rosie and Cindy.

BUIA: Sure. It was during the lunch recess. First, there was a recess when Cindy started crying and the judge called for a 10-minute recess. And then we had our lunch recess, and they met head-to-head, and Rosie herself got a little teary-eyed, put her hand over her heart and said, you did good today. Really, you did good. And Cindy just lost it.

O'BRIEN: Oh, started crying.

BUIA: Cindy just lost it. She was going downstairs. She was trying to get away from cameras, and then she went back upstairs to the bathroom on the second floor, and you can only imagine. I guess because Cindy was her buffer. She was sort of the bridge that linked her to Gruner & Jahr's CEO, Mr. Brewster, and, you know, the bridge between Rosie and her cadre of advisors and her brother and her publicist.

O'BRIEN: O'Donnell speaks to reporters, I've read, every day.

BUIA: Sure.

O'BRIEN: And makes time almost to talk to every single reporter who is there covering this trial, which, of course, isn't brilliant media strategy...

BUIA: Oh, absolutely.

O'BRIEN: ... and she's traveling with her publicist all of the time.

BUIA: I know. And even in the courthouse, I mean, yesterday she sat where the press was seated and she talked to us for a little bit. I asked her about her new show, whether or not she was going to postpone it, what about if the trial isn't finished by next Thursday, which is when "Taboo" is supposed to open.

O'BRIEN: Right, the new show you're talking about is a show called "Taboo," which looks like -- if you believe the press reports -- it's a little bit of a disaster waiting to happen. Why not replace the director with another director that she seems to like better, at least that's sort of what the behind-the-scenes rumors are?

BUIA: Yes, behind the scenes, but, you know, Boy George -- this is a musical based on his life. It's already run in London. And he chose this director, and he's standing firm. Rosie said she is very happy with the show. Two days ago she actually sat in on rehearsals, and she feels that the only part that needs some tweaking is the end of the first act.

O'BRIEN: It might be bad PR also to yank a director, put in her own choice, especially at this time.

BUIA: Especially -- yes, especially after she wanted to yank the last executive editor from her magazine.

O'BRIEN: All right Carolina Buia, we're going to continue to talk to you about all of the twists and turns in this case. When do you think Rosie will be on the stand?

BUIA: You know, sources were saying Friday, but now it looks like she might not make it to the stand until Monday.

O'BRIEN: We will see. Thanks so much.

BUIA: We definitely will.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com.