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Case of Comedian, Rosie Magazine Lawsuit
Aired November 06, 2003 - 14:22 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.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: It's the case of a comedian whose words are not so funny. Rosie O'Donnell could take the stand today in a lawsuit involving her defunct magazine's publisher. A former employee at "Rosie" magazine testified yesterday about O'Donnell's dark humor.
CNN's Mary Snow has more on that testimony.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
MARY SNOW, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Wednesday's testimony in Rosie O'Donnell's court battle with the publishing company, G&J brought tears and heated words. 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. Lawyers for Gruner & Jahr are winding down their case, and lawyers for O'Donnell plan to call her as their first witness.
Mary Snow, CNN, New York.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
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 - 14:22 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: It's the case of a comedian whose words are not so funny. Rosie O'Donnell could take the stand today in a lawsuit involving her defunct magazine's publisher. A former employee at "Rosie" magazine testified yesterday about O'Donnell's dark humor.
CNN's Mary Snow has more on that testimony.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
MARY SNOW, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Wednesday's testimony in Rosie O'Donnell's court battle with the publishing company, G&J brought tears and heated words. 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. Lawyers for Gruner & Jahr are winding down their case, and lawyers for O'Donnell plan to call her as their first witness.
Mary Snow, CNN, New York.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com.
