Rosie O'Donnell

Spoiler Alert: This story contains spoilers for “Outlook Good”, Season 3, “And That” Episode 1, and is now streaming on HBO Max.

Like that, Rosie O'Donnell returns to comedy.

O'Donnell's premiere of the season “And That,” Mary plays Mary, a New York woman picked up by Miranda in a bar, expecting to never see again. Mary and Miranda share a night at the Mary's Hotel, but Mary lingers for one understandable reason that attracts feelings: she was once a virgin before meeting with Miranda. At home, Mary is a nun, and sexuality has been a closed part of her life. She continued to push Miranda to join her various tourist trap events, and the two finally reunited in Times Square, with Mary being a “evil” superfan singing some “good” to thank Miranda for showing her what she really needed.

It's a juicy character, one of the classic one-night stands for the Sex and City franchise, played by a comic actor played by a comic artist. O'Donnell appeared as a lesbian in 2002, and her daily talk show “The Show by Rosie O'Donnell” is ending. O'Donnell is in reflective mode before performing on a single show based on her life at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival this summer. She hopes to visit the production, but for now, Scotland City is a short trip from her current home in Ireland where she moved to Donald Trump's second presidency.

O'Donnell Talk type Regarding diving into the “sex and urban” universe, what she learned between raising non-binary and how Ireland fits her.

Are you OK?

I have questions about your siblings’ names.

My siblings' names?

They are all “D”, just like you?

No, I am the lucky one. My siblings are Jane and Emily.

IP thinking.

Anyway, I think it's Michael Patrick King approaching your character.

That's Cynthia. I'm a good friend of Cynthia Nixon and my daughter is actually her assistant, the final season of “Sex and Sex”. I call it “Sex and City 2”, but that's not the case. She put her there and she said, “By the way, Michael told me he has a role. Do you want to?” I said, “Are you kidding me? Within a minute!” I didn't even have to think about it.

I've known Michael Patrick King for over 30 years. When I was a young comedian, he was a comedy duo called King and Mindy -Lisa Mindy and Michael King. I used to hang out with them at Catch Rising Star and Improv. It's amazing to see people who started doing well together.

Mary certainly has her quirks-know this Once you read, is it a character written for you?

I laughed at my ass. I thought – I know how to play this role. I'm so glad to do all the scenes with Cynthia. This is not for me. I don't have to fall in love with her because I've fallen in love with her for many years. I saw her “witness” on Broadway, even though I've known her for many years and have been friends with her in a real way, but when I went backstage, I was in awe and couldn't find my words.

Do you know people like Mary, even if they are older?

100%. I know many women in their 40s and how hard it is when they build a life with men and kids, and then they start to realize their basic things. I understand their struggle. It's a related character – someone who is unable to stay in touch with who she is for a variety of different reasons and then comes to find the beauty that will wait for the rest of her life.

This is a comedy version of Miranda's later life.

Yes! There must be humor – it saves our lives from very painful times. Comedy finally saved us all. You do laugh at her for being so excited to see the 14th time “evil”. This is not difficult for me. Because all my big emotional moments can be found in musicals throughout my life.

Growing up on your talk show, you’re passionate about Broadway, and now it’s a full moment to see you sing some bars on “and that.”

I just recently had a conversation with a Tony Award-winning producer in London who wanted to help me get a single actress I did in Edinburgh and probably go to the West End. And, hopefully, when politics is more rational, back to Broadway, is my dream to do a girl show on Broadway. He told me that the only exposure he had to reveal on Broadway that he grew up in Texas was my show. When he saw it over and over, he knew that this was what he wanted to live his life. Now he is Tony's award-winning producer.

I don't mind people in their 30s or 40s coming to me and saying, “You really have a profound impact on my life.” It lets me know that I have a bigger goal in what I'm doing.

At the same moment of your talk show, Sex and the City is a show of the spirit of the times. Will you be part of this universe?

No, because “Sex and the City” is a girl-centric show like this in a way I don’t have it. You will see these girls with long hair and know how to whip them into bread. I lack that gene. Some girls know how to dress up to look like they are in a body shape, and I was never that girl. I wear boys' clothes. I ride a motorcycle. I'm definitely a little gay girl.

I have a non-binary little guy (12 years old) and it's the most interesting thing. They said to me, “Mom, I'm non-binary. I'm not a boy or a girl.” I said, “Okay, great.” They left, “My pronoun is them/them, I want them to be respected.” I'll do my best, right? Who are they, Harvey Milk is reincarnated?

Then they said, “Are you non-binary?” I said, “Okay, you know, dear, I'm a lesbian. I'm a girl who knows I'm a girl and loves being a girl but doesn't feel like a real girl. But I never want to be a boy. I never thought about a boy. I just kept thinking about a girl.” Then they said, “What does your class say when you tell them?”

This is a whole new world.

Can you imagine it? They didn't know what happened when they were 10 in 1972, and no one mentioned it. This word is not said- you will no way admit. You'll go to church and hear horrible things about people like you, and Billie Jean (King) and Martina (Navratilova) have to deny their lesbianism and pretend they're not gay to continue working on the tennis tour, which was so painful for me when I was 10 years old. They don't understand. I kept trying to explain to them how I felt when I was a kid and they were stunned.

I recall the celebrities of the 1990s, your time was very different from today’s gay rights – now you can proudly swing your loose “evil” t-shirts “that”. I think the latter is more comfortable.

It's really a weird moment to bring everyone in the show business out of the closet and they personally know me – in my life, everyone knows that I have kids. Once you have a child, go out! Because you are attending school meetings with your partner. I go out to everyone except the public. And I often think it's surprising that when I come out, people are surprised. “Well, you like Tom Cruise.” I don't want him to be naked in the bed! I want him to mow the grass and give me lemonade. How many times do I have to say it?

I'm glad to see you pop up “hacks” recently, too, playing with yourself. Are you considering joining?

An episode of “Poker Face” that I was supposed to do before leaving. I wish I could do this, although I don't know – when will it be safe to come back with my kids in the current political climate? I will not push it until this government is fully completed and hope to be held accountable for their crimes.

How is living in Ireland suitable for you? Is this a positive change?

I will never regret my choice since I arrived here. People have always been enthusiastic, so accepted, and there are different opinions about celebrities in the culture here. They didn't prioritize others. People are more friendly and intimate with each other in a real way. Every time I enter the pharmacy, I fall in love because the pharmacist will talk to you. Have you ever talked to a pharmacist at CVS?

Not really.

I would call my friend every time, “I think the pharmacist is obsessed with me.” But it’s a beautiful way of life. The narrowness of this country is perfect for me.

This interview has been edited and condensed.