Liza on Rosie

An extremely awkward and surreal interview with Liza Minelli on the Rosie O'Donnel Show.

[@drewqq]

There was nothing awkward or surreal about this--you need to remember the time it happened. The Rosie show went back on the air right after September 11, 2001 when the lower half of Manhattan was devastated by the bombing of the World Trade Center towers. There were no flights in or out of town so ALL Rosie's guests had to be New Yorkers on very short notice. Like me and millions of other people who call NYC home, it was a heartbreaking time--thousands of people were missing, thousands dead, and the entire police and fire department were digging out survivors and remains. Minnelli was probably unprepared to go on, but she did it, so that's probably why she seems a little flustered. But she got emotional in the song because when you call New York your home, it means something to you. I got all choked up watching her sing because I remember that terrible day and the months of anguish over the lost and dead that followed.

[@MatthewPippin]

drewqq Well said. It was the single worst day of my life, those attacks. The love and support from everyone around the city was something special to live through. We made it... and if we can make it there...... the song still chokes me up.

[@TomIdelson]

+drewqq Beautifully said, Drew!

[@jdaviperez6618]

rosie went back live on monday sept 17. I did standbye. christine ebersole was the guest.

[@MediaLover194]

The only awkward part is Liza talking about how cute David Gest wonderful and attractive is in retrospect.

[@zyxw2024]

Where were you born, dear?

[@robinsullivan5365]

She’s a legend! I can’t get enough of her!!!!!!!!!🥰🥰🥰🥰

[@samuelbenbow4026]

Having clicked around and watched a bunch of miscellaneous clips tonight, it's weird to watch this because she's so like her mother and it's hard to tell if she's naturally like that or if she taught herself to be like that. I guess being around Judy so much, how could you help it.

[@mtmorrispk]

Those were horribly dark days, especially for those of us here in Manhattan. Liza performed soon after vocal surgery....she's a trouper and makes me proud

[@ScottGessford]

Even a little off her game, this woman is so much more magnetizing than 90% of pop artists who do live shows today...

[@ericjohnson4230]

Liza is not now, nor has she ever been, a pop artists. You can’t put them into comparison.

[@paulabdul4505]

You don't have to insult people to compliment another. Grow up Scott

[@edd3686]

@@ericjohnson4230 She did pop too. "Losing my mind" is one of her signature songs

[@MaleOrderBride]

This is fabulous! I especially like how Liza faces the audience during her interview and talks directly to the audience. She hardly even looks at Rosie. It's nice that a big star like Liza loves connecting with her fans and talking to the audience. Most other celebs nowadays rarely look to the audience or talk to the audience...they just flirt with the host then walk off set ignoring the viewers that made them famous!

[@evascharfe1892]

Liza is always full of positive interesting things to say. Her energy is contagious.

[@andrewpraskai8245]

Rosie's show was recorded on September 19, 2001 - eight days after 9-11

[@Annie414100]

Liza Minnelli is the best entertainer of the 1970s and continues to be wonderful until now - 2017.

[@pilarg.rodriguez7919]

Liza looks wonderful...I don't know if it's the hair, but she looks beautiful.

[@czaaful]

Shes a virgo..sign of beauty&dance

[@stardusth2o]

@@czaaful she’s actually a Pisces :)

[@PhancyPants99]

What was 'awkward and surreal' about this? I thought it was fun and rather sweet

[@breadmaker]

yeah I kept waiting for it to become awkward or surreal and it never happened.

[@sohoboy506]

Same here! She was fantastic and so genuine.

[@MediaLover194]

The only thing awkward and surreal was when she called David Guest attractive?

[@Mygirlyvintagelife]

I love Liza Minnelli she looks so much like her mom Judy garland it's like a second Judy garland was born we love you Liza

[@fool4singing]

David Gest "very attractive?!?!?" Oh my God, she must have been blind!

[@rr7firefly]

She must have left her glasses at home. Either that or completely lost her mind.

[@rentonwilloughby302]

*_Liza had not yet gone for cataract surgery when she met David, even her seeing eyed dog knew David was NOT attractive, the dog kept saying ARF ARF ARF! when David came into the room_*

[@SaxonC]

fool4singing David Gest, very attractive? 🤮 Helen Keller even cringed!

[@DIETRICHCICCONE]

fool4singing addiction is an affliction 😂

[@ladylore8771]

Maybe it was his personality that Liza thought was attractive!

[@superdougie10]

A living legend with all the trappings, what a moment in time for all of us. Liza is a kind and talented part of show business royalty hands down. A real american, Liza we love and cherish you sweetheart.

[@juliachild834]

The other day Beyonce lip synced at the inauguration. I really like that Liza performs and gives it her all---if her voice isn't perfect she doesn't apologize, she still lifts the moment out of the ordinary, and gives the audience something memorable. That's what a star can do. I think a real star wouldn't settle for doing anything else.

[@yuri2604]

you know what I think is interesting? This performance of New York New York gives me the same feels of her rendition of Cabaret on film. A person trying to hold on to a ideal of certain freedom in a place that's gone forever

[@aaronjones7260]

she reminds me so much of her wonderful mother, Judy Garland, the greatest female performer of all time

[@coolsweetgroovy]

Awkward and Surreal really? c'mon what Liza said that no one can beat us that's still powerful to this day

[@ajgroelant]

Liza is a true star!!!

[@barbhawkinson659]

Bravo Liza! I remember watching this the day it first aired so many yrs ago. Such a class act always..

[@eshjane]

NEW YORK NEW YORK!!!!! LOVE IT!!! THANKS LIZA!!!!!

[@wotan10950]

I guess Liza’s magic is that even without a voice or the ability to dance, she can overcome it all with her magnetism and pizzazz.

[@whitesoxfanforsure]

This is the most impressing thing I have seen...compared to what is the so so hum drum today. This LiZa is awesome!!

[@nonenoneonenonenone]

That wasn't the least bit awkward or surreal. How annoying of you. I'm guessing, since you didn't provide any date, that this was soon after 9/11. What spirit she shows, what constant recreation, revivifying, reinspiration. She is a heroine.

[@imgnepc]

+zzindorf This was September 19th I think... And it's lovely, isn't it?! What better song, really?

[@MaryBlanche]

I miss this Rosie ❤️

[@stevejarrettnc]

yes.... Political Rosie is just NOT my cup of tea. Entertainers should entertain, not insert themselves into political discussions.

[@jeriannesexton6906]

Entertainer's that have given their best performances, as Liza and her Mother, Judy, before her' deserve the highest respect and love from their audience that have witnessed such on stage. If you weren't around for those times to be apart of something that was purely electrifing from these legends... Then you have truly missed some of the best... To see that against all odds, Liza to this day, after all is said and done, still continues to perform, which is fantastic' is simply a dream come true. I proudly salute the best' and Liza' a truly living legend... Well, what can I say... "YOU'RE LOOKING SWELL' LIZA" AND THANK YOU VERY MUCH !!!

[@cullycucc]

This entire clip was fascinating on many levels

[@foxibot]

Liza is so sweet. I wish she would meet someone who truly loved her, for her not use her. She was still trying to recover from illness. Gest. Totally used her.

[@abelsincain]

I miss her powerful voice from years ago but I still admire the outstanding career she's had.

[@FarfallaDellaLuna]

Gosh I love both of these women

[@dennismiller3291]

i saw this when it was on.not awkward.emotional.right after 9/11.at the end of nyny liza is sobbing

[@KSitz77]

Liza really has become like Judy wowzers.

[@geraldinemole8549]

Wonderful beautiful true star.

[@ManuelPabloArnao]

David Guest attractive?! lol

[@JAlfredPrufrockify]

If this doesn't give you goose-bumps, you're dead from the scalp down.

[@VintageRose75]

I know, right? That was simply electrifying. They don't make them like that anymore!

[@dave00004483]

wow never saw Liza with long-ish hair before.

[@stevejarrettnc]

Liza hadn't been working for a while. This was after her encephalitis and after the throat surgery to remove a polyp in her vocal cords. If you think back, it was shortly after Julie Andrews vocal surgery..... Julie had to step down from Victor/Victoria on Broadway and Liza took over her part in the show. She had to quit it too, I believe.... It must have been hell of a show to nuke the throats of two of the best singers we had. Julie hasn't sung a note sense then.

[@coolsweetgroovy]

Wow how mean can people be Liza is an icon and what she said that no one can beat us is still powerful to this day

[@alicelam3334]

Very sad at the end of Her performance...I think They were both very emotional. Put a tear in my eye.

[@cam11971]

This wasn't awkward at all! Everyone at this time was just so emotional and did not know what to think of the whole situation. No awkwardness :/

[@mgm579]

Is anyone watching this, October of ‘19?

[@jabjab4434]

December 2020

[@cherylsmith7282]

January 2021.

[@legrandeanorey3860]

LOVE LIZA !!!!!!!!!

[@jakevendrotti1496]

The way she collapsed in tears at the end into Rosie's arms. The young folks today don't know how traumatized America was after 9/11. We needed this. Her strength, Rosie's positive presence, all of it counted for a lot. It was familiar and comforting after watching innocent people fall out of buildings headfirst on live TV.

[@dinh5532]

How come Frank's version is more often used than Liza, when it was written for her?

[@ah7910]

Here’s my perspective: It was written for her, especially for her, by Kander & Ebb and featured as her important song at the end of the movie she starred in with DeNiro, ‘New York, New York’. But the film wasn’t a huge success and was pretty misunderstood… then a few years later Sinatra adopts it and he’s SINATRA, and has his huge following (dare I say, bigger than Liza’s) and he’s associated with the rat pack and the mafia and all things deemed as ‘cool’, while Liza is ‘jazz hands and razzmatazz’ and it was Sinatra’s cool swinging version that was always deemed as more fashionable. Think about drunk men singing Sinatra’s version, or sports fans… you can see why they adopted it… while Liza’s version (which I always prefer) is more fabulous and dramatic… maybe wasn’t as easily consumed by the masses, as Frank Sinatra’s flatter, simpler, more bare bones rendition. I am a huge Liza fan and have never really connected with Sinatra’s voice or style. But I see why his version sadly overshadowed hers.

[@norasteel5353]

I was strolling through youtube...and there she was..LIZA! God, what can I say. I totally love her, her energy, her compassion, her....everything! lol Rosie, Love you too g/f!

[@orion8835]

Liza was always hyper. She inherited her mother’s nervousness and so much more. Her pizazz is very much her lovely core. This performance even if frayed by the years after the 9/11 atrocities would had been an moving inspiration.

[@annlanders978]

She seems high on something when she is sitting there talking but WOW when she gets up there and sings - just WOW!!!

[@randellscott617]

The year before, she suffered nearly fatal case of viral encephalitis which almost left her unable to walk and speak. It severely impacted her speech and motor function.

[@SuperLalalablablabla]

Weird to realize this interview was taken only 8 days after September the 11th. Kind of explains the awkwardness, she must have been off her guard. I'm not a Liza Minnelli fan or expert, just happened to come here, but this fact must explain what the video uploader was talking about in the description.

[@markwhitman9029]

Liza does her best at the time with the song and she pulled it off! BUT this song was written for her and when she introduced it in the movie NOBODY then or since can top her rendition!

[@carolecarr5210]

Liza is simply put, supercalifragilisticexpialidocious!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@barbarastanwyck4288]

awkward and surreal definitely encapsulates the week after 9/11...in new york. cool story, bruh

[@MaryBlanche]

I so very much miss the RO Show!! 📺❤️

[@aubreycaraballo8761]

liza is just such an amazing singer

[@Smiles2U4Ever]

New York New Yorrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrkkkkkkkkkkkk !!

[@michellerosemarieflynn8897]

Liza you look fantastic ! I love you , all my best.

[@glamdolly30]

How funny that Liza mentions David Gest, organiser of the Michael Jackson concert and says he's 'Very attractive' (strangest looking man you ever saw) and she went on to marry him the following year. I suppose they must have been dating though she wasn't going public yet. Their marriage lasted longer than many thought (5 years) and ended with predictable acrimony. I remember a documentary when cameras followed them everywhere. Liza took a shine to a Tiffany necklace and David hinted he would treat her to it. We later see him on the phone to Tiffany trying hard to negotiate a massive discount - tacky little name dropper of a man, she must have been under the influence when she accepted that marriage proposal!

[@mmdillon1]

Did you say "dark days"? She still had the wicked GEST years to go through.... What a nightmare. She looks like she just finished eating a chocolate bar.

[@dreamteemmusic1128]

Class act. Always loved her dramatic approach in every performance.

[@jacobdean5502]

She is the spitting image of her wonderful mother

[@evascharfe1892]

LIZA HAS LOVELY ENERGY.

[@mybartmanful]

LIza is such a cutie!

[@blackjack90631]

God I love Liza so much!

[@kevindoran4590]

I love Liza. I just wanna hug her! (And I am straight LOL)

[@travisgrobel673]

This is true artist

[@cindyslavik5391]

“Extremely Awkward and surreal” you really shouldn’t be posting videos of Liza if you think that.

[@cherylsmith7282]

Totally amazing and wonderful! 🇨🇦

[@jl3322]

Married and Divorced Gest in 16 months. He (Gest) said she was an alcoholic who would hit him with her empty vodka bottles. She looks like hell here. She got a facelift shortly during the marriage. She was very overweight and the voice was gone.

[@shehassee]

Liza is nothing less than amazing.

[@Itsxosé]

20 years since this moment ❤️

[@Dani8132m]

Anxiety..just like Judy. Must be tough having to open yourself up to the public all the time..

[@dxmxo9427]

I wonder why this interview was awkward?Hmmm

[@LiGhTersUpP420]

❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@doreentanner4862]

😇😍

[@BujoldComa78]

My Lucky Lady Liza.

[@Dani8132m]

Rosie's very sweet! :-)

[@Shadowsmyman]

Such a talented lady!!

[@lucy141laible]

Beautiful

[@EvaDoran1]

Liza is a Goddess!!

[@brianmoore2771]

Thoroughly tragic human decline

[@alexanuchid]

The great diva-Liza in her new hair look(wig)...she sings her hear out..with a healthy voice !

[@cliff9685]

RUN LIZA RUN RUN RUN AWAY FROM DAVID GUEST!!!! God where were your brains when you got involved with that man! If only one could go back and warn her with hindsight!

[@stevejarrettnc]

Gest was the one that had her sell off her stuff on eBay....

[@leighwinson9859]

so odd.... but entertaining

[@billiamdabne9932]

queen what is attractive about david gest *gag*

[@MrNeigarcia]

Maravilhosa!!!!!

[@vanniperigord4713]

This is wonderful, always loved Liza's excited energy. Great performance!!!

[@dxmxo9427]

The thing with the arm?LOL

[@threesixfiveart563]

Such a beautiful lady!!

[@knowzmyname]

Dear Liza, one of a kind ! A legendary talent !

[@petelabella98]

Judy(Liza)

[@danielbelardino7662]

She looks different with longer hair..love her with the short! More like Momma this way😍😍🤩🤩😍😘😘💖💖🎵💖🎶🎶🎶

[@bubblybubbles4326]

♥️♥️♥️Liza!!

[@legrandeanorey3860]

ME ENCANTA , ESTA NOTA !!!!!!!

[@michaelp6420]

AMAZING LIZA

[@billyboylb]

Love me some Liza!

[@danielkinney6325]

I got chillz

[@garywarmee4367]

I don't think it is Liza herself, but the tape kind of distorts her features making her a little unrecognizable, as people see... Liza is so nice. She is kind, extending the biggest effort to always show her audience the best time. Truly born in a trunk.

[@darrenI]

I recall this after 911 - it's what the country needed and only Rosie was able to pull in the NY City stars to be on her show and give people some sense of normalcy

[@barbhawkinson659]

I wish we could go back to this patriotic moment in time. Well done Liza 💗💗💗

[@goddessmodel]

david gest a wonderful attractive man...if only she knew then

[@MRSlade-hh7xr]

I remember watching this. What a surreal and scary time.

[@pattibrooks1907]

I used to watch Rosie s TV Show and I did watch it when Liza was on it all the times Liza was on it I watched it ! I watched it every day anyway in the 90s when she had her talk show ! Liza s an awesome lady lots of talent that girl s simply the best !

[@tomhorak6532]

Love her & what she stands for . Liza for President 🎉