Rosie O'Donnell takes early exit from 'View'

POSTED: 3:53 p.m. EDT, May 25, 2007

NEW YORK (AP) -- Rosie O'Donnell has fought her last fight at "The View."

ABC said Friday she won't be back on the show following her angry confrontation with co-host Elisabeth Hasselbeck on Wednesday.

O'Donnell asked for, and received, an early exit from her contract. She was due to leave "The View" in mid-June.

"Rosie contributed to one of our most exciting and successful years at 'The View,' " show creator Barbara Walters said. "I am most appreciative. Our close and affectionate relationship will not change."

In a statement, O'Donnell said she was grateful. "It's been an amazing year and I love all three women."

Presumably, that includes Hasselbeck. The two exchanged bitter words on Wednesday over O'Donnell's opposition to the war in Iraq. (Watch O'Donnell and Hasselbeck go at it)

They've frequently had snippy political exchanges during O'Donnell's year on the daytime chatfest, but never as long and loud as that one.