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Rosie O'Donnell slams Jay Leno over past treatment of 'Biggest Loser' contestant

Rosie O'Donnell is slamming Jay Leno over his past behavior toward a contestant on "The Biggest Loser."

On Tuesday, the 63-year-old comedian and actress took to Instagram to vent her frustration after watching the new Netflix docuseries "Fit for TV: The Reality of the Biggest Loser."

In one post, O'Donnell called out the 75-year-old former talk show host for his treatment of Season 8 competitor Tracey Yukich when she made an appearance on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" in 2009.

"jay leno is a mean a--hole #biggestloserdocumentary," O'Donnell wrote in the caption of her post, which featured screenshots from both the docuseries and "The Tonight Show."

The docuseries included an archival clip from Yukich's appearance on Leno's show, during which Leno read scathing comments and death threats directed at her that "The Biggest Loser" fans had submitted to the show via email.

In one comment, a viewer described Yukich as "just pure evil." Leno read an email from another fan, who wrote, "I would not step on the brake if I saw you cross the street. I want to accelerate."

"She wants to kill you, but she won't use a swear word," Leno told her.

In an interview that was included in episode three of the docuseries, Yukich cried as she recalled the experience.

"These are emails that people actually sent to the show," she said. "It was so bad. I was like, ‘Wow.’ My feelings were so hurt. They were. I didn't know that I was a villain until the show aired."

O'Donnell also blasted "The Biggest Loser" trainer Bob Harper in another post on Tuesday, writing, "ok now bob harper - can u not say IM SORRY - seriously- so hurtful- so cruel - come on bob - #biggestLOSERdoc @netflixuk."

In the post, she included screenshots from the docuseries featuring Harper and Season 7 contestant Joelle Gwynn.

Fox News Digital has reached out to representatives for Leno and Harper for comment.

During an interview on "Fit for TV," Harper defended his behavior toward the contestants.

"Always remember we were trying to make an entertaining show," he said. "What’s more important for weight loss? We all know it’s diet, but that becomes boring television."

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by Anonymousreply 15August 25, 2025 2:58 AM

Rosie 'slammed' Jay Leno (Jay Leno has responded that he sat with the guest and dscussed everything they would talk about so there's no surprises - something he did with every guest before the show - and she agreed to everything).

Rosie slammed Bob Harper and his 'mistreatment of contestants'.

Who didn't Rosie slam ? Jillian Michaels, who allegedly gave contestants 'caffeine supplements' and other drugs to lose weight against their will. JM didn't want to participate in the doc - what's she hiding from, Rosie ?

by Anonymousreply 1August 24, 2025 4:04 PM

Rosie has a personal grudge against Leno.

Apparently, NBC wanted her to host The Tonight Show on Friday nights back in the 90's (this was before her talk show) and she agreed, thrilled about it. Leno heard and refused to have any guests hosts during his tenure there, so the offer was rescinded. I don't think Rosie has ever forgiven Leno for it.

by Anonymousreply 2August 24, 2025 5:00 PM

She’s not wrong. History ain’t gonna be kind to Leno. Remarkably little sentiment for his Tonight tenure.

by Anonymousreply 3August 24, 2025 5:05 PM

It's easy to hate Leno, the ultimate mean-spirited hack.

by Anonymousreply 4August 24, 2025 5:06 PM

She is wrong in this case to slam Leno and Harper but not Michaels. I'm sure if Jillian Michaels was a guy, and acted the same way on the series as we have seen, and then offered 'stimulants' to guests to lose weight faster, and then refused to appear on the doc to defend himself, Rosie would have a field day 'slamming' him. But it's not a guy - it's a female (who could break Rosie in half on her worse day) and Rosie says nothing.

She's too obvious in this case.

by Anonymousreply 5August 24, 2025 5:11 PM

I think she's zeroing in on Leno because she already hates him and he's more famous than Michaels, r5. I wouldn't be so quick to sound the "misandry" alarm.

by Anonymousreply 6August 24, 2025 5:33 PM

R6 OK, so let's put Leno aside and focus on Harper and Michaels.

Both Harper and Michaels were the two trainers, and both had 'dangerous' tactics in motivating their contestants - the doctor points this out right away. Michaels comes across as worse than Harper. Harper agrees to participate in the doc and defend himself, while Michaels does not. Rosie stays quiet about Michaels, but attacks Harper.

by Anonymousreply 7August 24, 2025 5:45 PM

I've never gotten the sense that Rosie hates men or holds them to a different standard, r7. It's cool if you don't like Rosie but I don't think her failure to go after Jillian Michaels proves anything. Maybe she thought the male trainer was nastier and less ethical, maybe she blew her "anger load" on Leno and Harper and didn't feel like going after Michaels.

by Anonymousreply 8August 24, 2025 7:01 PM

My she's a whole lot of lesbian drama. Talk about a stereotype brought to life. Liars get Cancer was one of her softer comments. The woman thrives on this sort of faux outrage.

by Anonymousreply 9August 24, 2025 7:15 PM

I think it's fair to criticize Harper in the context of him agreeing to be on the documentary - which stank of extending his fame. Harper never apologized for his conduct while watching himself have ZERO empathy for the people he was supposed to be helping. Horrifying in almost every case - especially with black women. Michaels wasn't there to apologize, which I think was the smarter choice.

by Anonymousreply 10August 25, 2025 1:52 AM

Rosie penned a heartfelt apology Jay can borrow:

i am sorry it hurt u

i didnt think of it the way it was taken

i will b more sensitive

promise.

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by Anonymousreply 11August 25, 2025 2:03 AM

Rosie "Lyle Menendez is my best friend" O'Donell? Who fucking cares? She's got shitty taste. Jay is someone I've never heard bad things about.

by Anonymousreply 12August 25, 2025 2:06 AM

R8 I don't hate men! Don't you know how much I love Tom Cruise?

by Anonymousreply 13August 25, 2025 2:08 AM

Why are you giving clicks to Fox News, OP? Ugh.

by Anonymousreply 14August 25, 2025 2:09 AM

Why flee the country of your birth yet continue to engage in its toxic culture?

by Anonymousreply 15August 25, 2025 2:58 AM
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